Atlantis Burning

Chapter 21

Bea saw Edward on the monitor, a pit formed in her stomach when she realized he was alone. She walked to the port side and met her husband at the bulwark, while Annia was distracted by Youtube. He was not even out of the water before she began the inquisition. "Where's Dad!?"

"He didn't want to come back, just now," Edward said as he pulled himself out of the water.

"Why did you leave him alone in Atlantis?"

"I was trying to get him to leave, but then he went back in, while I was putting my tank on."

"You could have followed him. It's not safe down there," Bea exclaimed as Edward got out of his suit.

"He's got the pod to protect him and trust me, you wouldn't have wanted me to stay."

"Is it about the children? You're right, I don't want to know."

"Thankfully, no sacrifices were goin' on. Your dad wouldn't hang around for that."

"Then what is it?"

"Let's just say your dad is watching some porn."

"Gross! How much porn?"

"Everyone was out for some boat races and then I noticed a lot of fondling was starting after Molech and Asherah were um... enjoying a pleasure cruise in front of the crowds. That's when I wanted to leave."

"Are you saying that my dad stayed down there to watch an orgy?"

"Something like that."

"I don't know how my mother lived with that man."

"Lots of men are like that."

"Why'd you come back?"

"I lost interest in that stuff when I started going to bed with you every night. How could I want for anything more?"

Bea leaned over and kissed her husband's lips. "I just can't even count all the ways you're perfect for me, Edward Serrano. You know what I think we should do?"

"Does it involve the bedroom?" he asked flirtatiously.

"I always have things I want to do with you in there, but before it's time for that maybe we should anchor a lifeboat here and then move the Annabelle just outta reach."

"You want to make him row to get home. We won't go too far- he is getting kind of old, after all."

The next morning when they woke up and Henry was not on board, Bea began to panic. Edward started the Annabelle's engine and it wasn't long before they were at the lifeboat. They found Henry sleeping in his own vomit.

"Dad, wake up!" Bea yelled.

"Turn the light off, it hurts my head."

"That's the sun, Dad."

"I might have had too many drinks."

"Are you carrying a flask in your wetsuit?"

"No, but maybe I should."

"How'd you get drunk?"

"There was no bubble-thingy. Those Atlantians make some strong liquor."

"Wait! Where was the pod?"

"It wasn't there," Henry said.

"It's not safe down there without the pod."

"How'd you buy drinks?" Edward interjected.

"People share. I ran into your buddy Blake. He said something about the portal not making the bubble for Atlantians."

"You're an Atlantian?" Bea queried.

"It reads DNA."

"If you had no bubble then, what else did you do?" Bea demanded to know.

"I know my rights. I claim the fifth."

"Oh dad!"

"The fifth."

"You're right, I don't want to know. Go take a shower. Use lots of soap. Hopefully you don't have an ancient STD. I'll make you some coffee."

"Don't bother. I'm going back to sleep," Henry said, pulling the top of his wetsuit over his eyes. "Later, I need to tell your husband about the street lights. He's right about those pyramids."

"Oh, really," Edward said. "I'll make sure you don't sleep too late."

Henry uncovered one eye to give Edward a dirty look before going back to sleep.