Adarna

Chapter 10

And he had turned on his heels, ready to go find a hole in the sand by the beach—there was always one, if nothing else, children loved to dig—and bury himself in it until he forgot this shame, or until everyone who remembered him died ignorant of this blunder. Whichever came first. But then a hand, sticky with crust and raspberry filling, caught his wrist, and he looked back to see the boy staring at him with a mixture of delight and wonder.

"Do we know each other?" he asked, taking a step closer.

He could still feel the heat of his blush crawling up his neck and burning in his cheeks. He tried to hide his face behind his hair, praying to Shmm, Zhion and Yjenn that this moment would end so he would have less to replay in his head when he agonised over his fumble that evening.

"I don't, uhm, that is—mmm. No, I don't think so."

"A terrible error on my part, I admit, to go so long without knowing someone like you. We should change that immediately. I'm Char, and you are?"

...

Robin took a deep breath, pulling himself back to the moment at hand. "We knew each other," he amended. "Where is he? I'm looking for him."

Something in the creature's expression changed. He hesitated for a moment, and Robin felt a sense of dread creep over him. The creature's mouth opened and closed a few times, as if it were searching for the right words.

Then it spoke, only in Char's voice. Like an echo, a memory, a record.

"A fish! Did you see that? It jumped nearly up to the deck, unbelievable!"

"Do we know each other?"

"Weather-watcher says something bad is coming in, we should head below decks."

"I can show you a magic trick, come close. There's nothing in my hand, closer now. Come on. Now look, a flame, so small, fighting against the winds. No match, no lighter, no fuel. Yet it's burning. If that's not magic, what is?"

Full, rich laughter.

"I'm mmmmmm, I'm not feeling so good. Burning up a bit. Why're you lookin' at me like that, love?"

That one hit like a punch to the gut. Robin tried to catch his breath, but the creature went on, his face impassive and regretful.

"—isten to me! WHY WON'T YOU JUST LISTEN? I'm fine, alright? I'm fine!"

"Help... help me. Please help me..." a long silence passed, almost enough for Robin to believe it was over. But then came the whisper, pained and desperate. "Robin, help me."

Robin shuddered, barely feeling himself sink to the floor with his back pressed to the wall. Tears streamed down his cheeks and he couldn't stop them. Did he want to? He wanted to throw up, that was clear at least. He reached to his side, to grasp his dagger for support, but it wasn't there. It was still hidden away for security. He clutched at his pendant, the next best thing.

He couldn't look the creature in the eye. He wanted to ask why he had been there. Why he hadn't done anything to help. Why he was here now. But none of that really mattered in the end, did it? He had come to sea to look for someone and now he was sure he would never find them. He knew, with the certainty drawn from Char's tone and the creature's hunched posture, that he was dead. Along with everyone else on that ship. Robin was physically and emotionally lost at sea.

Water lapped at the sides of the basin as the creature edged forward. He leant against the tiles, offering comfort in proximity but a modicum of privacy through the remaining distance. Robin bit down hard on the inside of his cheek and felt the warm tang of blood fill his mouth.