Chapter 9 Archie
Archie
They drove up the twisty hill back to Riverside in silence. Malachi’s head dipped a few times, only to jolt awake whenever the car swung around a bend.
Archie kept his eyes on the road, but his thoughts were already down at the Polar Bear.
He needed to see the scene for himself. The Selkie almost certainly killed the mayor, but he wouldn’t settle until he knew for sure.
A shark attack on Latharna was ridiculous.
Yet, it would no doubt be classed as yet another tragic accident by the Latharna Police Department, who once spent an entire afternoon searching for a “missing” boat that had been tied to the harbour the whole time.
“I’ll be back shortly, and then we’ll head to the Johnstons.” Archie pulled into the driveway but left the engine running.
“I need to talk to you later,” Malachi rubbed his eyes and turned to him. “About my plans for after the summer break.”
Heat rushed across Archie’s face. It hadn’t sunk in that Malachi was eighteen and had finished school. “Tonight then,” his voice aimed for brightness and landed somewhere near strained. “We’ll have a chat about your future. It’s long overdue.”
“I also need to talk to you about Rhys.” Malachi's gaze dropped to his knees. His fingers twisted so tightly they turned white.
Archie tightened his grip on the steering wheel, steadying the jolt inside him.
For seven years, they’d avoided each other around Rhys’ anniversary, like ships passing in the night.
If it weren’t for Ina, they probably wouldn’t acknowledge the day at all.
If the Selkie hadn’t come back to Latharna, the cycle would’ve continued.
They would’ve kept drifting further apart when they needed each other the most. But now, out of nowhere, Malachi wanted to talk about Rhys.
The same summer the Selkie came back. A prickling crept up the back of Archie’s neck, the sense that something beyond human nature had nudged them back towards each other.
“Okay then,” Malachi sighed, reaching for the door, shattering Archie’s train of thought.
“Wait.” Archie caught his arm before he could slip away. His fingers tightened, holding on a beat too long “Yes... please,” The words came out softer than he meant, almost unsteady. “Let’s talk about Rhys and we’ll raise a glass in his honour.”
“Can we do it now?” Malachi’s dark eyes cut straight through him.
"Mal—" Archie’s throat closed around the word. His heart cracked clean in two. Malachi was finally ready to talk, and he had to walk away—only for a couple of hours, but it still stung like betrayal. If he’d broken his promise to Heather and told Malachi about the Otherworld after Rhys was killed, he would understand why he couldn’t stay now.
Duty came first. And while innocent people were in danger, he had no choice.
“It’s okay, Dad.” Malachi pulled his arm free and stepped out of the car. “I know you’re busy. I’ll see you later.”
Archie shifted against his seatbelt as though it were tightening around his chest. The connection between them had never felt so jagged—and this time it was his fault.
“See you—”
The door slammed. Malachi strode across the courtyard without looking back, shoulders tight, walking sharp and quick. He walked just like Ina when she was angry.
The urge to run after him rose hard and fast. To hell with Heather’s promise. To hell with the Polar Bear. To hell with funerals, and obligations, and everything that didn’t involve his son. But he couldn’t, not yet. Not until the waters of Latharna were safe.
He swallowed the guilt, hard and bitter. Turning the car around, he headed for Polar Bear rock.