Moonlight Transformation: The Story of Luke

Chapter 10

Day 1
Luke and Daniel made their way back to the house, both silent. Both knowing what's going happen soon. Luke would leave, It was inevitable to Daniel. It was the right thing to do. Let his son go.

"Is Leftovers okay for dinner?" Is all Daniel could say. Luke gave a chuckle
"Yeah dad, sounds good." He smiled looking up at him
Tears filled Daniel's eyes but he turned, rubbing his face.

Approaching the house, Sophia sat on the porch, reading a book. Hearing their footsteps caught her attention
"Hey! How did the father and son bonding go?" She said with a cheeky grin.
Both men smiled amused. Daniel approached her and ruffled her hair.
"Help me with the laundry?" He said. Sophia sighed and nodded.
Luke sat on the porch, again staring at the setting sun.
Both Daniel and Sophia went inside.

Luke sat alone.

He began to ponder a million questions to ask Juil-his father. A real father. A father who didn't stop searching. That gave Luke hope he wouldn't be a shitty dad.

"Luke," a sweet voice interrupted his thoughts
His head snapped up to see Opal again. Her hair was still a bit poofy but she managed to brush it out
"I'm so sorry Opal. I don't know what's wrong with me." Luke said standing and went to her.
Opal chuckled,
"I think it was an accident. Nothing happened." She smiled. She clasped her hands with his. Both were warm and soft.
"Opal, I think-" he started but stopped
Opal sighed
Luke panicked, his hands feeling clammy, he let go
"Luke, maybe we should wait a while, you know and see if these feelings are true with us." She said looking down.
Luke kicked the sand a little
"Yeah, I get that." He nodded.
"But If you're feeling better, my family is having a barbecue? Next week?" She asked smiling
Luke's heart skipped a beat, he awfully missed hanging with Opal. Both completed each other. He owed everything to her.
"Invite your dad and sister. It'll be great." Opal beamed.
His bubble of joy popped.
Father. He thought and sighed
"Yes I'll ask, I'll call on Friday to let you know." He said smiling
If I can, I might be across the Atlantic Ocean. He thought.
Opal smiled and nodded. She leaned in and hugged him. His body wasn't slimy, Not disgusting her.
What Luke didn't expect was a gentle peck of her lips on his cheek.
"See, not so shocking." Opal laughed and held his hands.
Luke nodded and joined in her laughter.
Opal finally said goodbye and left to head home.

Luke walked back to the porch, again alone. To him, this week was going to be filled with much anticipation.

Suddenly his abdomen had other ideas. He felt a throb of pain, starting from his chest to his neck. Luke gasped and held his strained neck in pain
"I-I didn't touch water-" he gasped and felt the slits on his neck opening. He gasped, trying to breath with his lung while also adjusting to his gills. He stumbled to stand and fell next to the door, trying to call his father's name.

He suddenly heard footsteps, they came closer until he heard the door open
"Dad." He gasped, his eye lids becoming heavy. He needed to be in water
"Luke what's wrong-" was what Sophia said before screaming. More footsteps but this time more urgent came towards the front door.
This was the last thing Luke heard before blacking out.
___________________________
"You expect her to believe it's a rash?" Luke asked Daniel. He was again back in the tub, his flippers splashing the wall.
Daniel sighed and rubbed his face.
"It's the only thing I could think of, she seemed to be in so much shock that I think she wanted to believe me." He said softly.
"Just stay in the tub until you're breathing better." Daniel said softly.
Luke rubbed his neck, the slits that are his gills itched but also ached.
"I guess, I need to be periodically in water at certain times." He sighed and sank into the water.
"Well once Julian comes, he can explain you're progress and how to cope with the changes." Daniel said softly.
He stood and went to the door, leaving to go down stairs.
After the little hysterical fit Sophia had with her dad, he calmed her down, convincing her it's a flare up Luke's been having lately.She was now downstairs, probably still unsure of what she saw.

Luke sighed and leaned over the tub, he picked up his phone, selecting a song  to play.
This was gonna be his life for the next couple days, he can at least cope with some music.
He submerged his head under the water. The vibrations of the song shook the water. It was muffled but he could make out the lyrics

Luke I'm coming home.

A voice spoke into his head. He gasped, sitting up. His eyes widened as he looked at his reflection in the water spout. He never really got a good look at himself: He looked terrifying, definitely not human anymore.
But that voice, it sounded not like anyone he knew, but there was a deeper connection to it: it was his father.