Sea of Lies

Chapter 16

tw: gore, body horror

The hall was noisy as guests started to come in. Ethan went around greeting those he knew, Elijah and Sub following behind. Denis walked up to the group with a smile.

"Someones here to see you both," He said before turning back around. Sub heard Elijah start to breathe heavily next to him. He grabbed his hand, holding onto it as tight as he could.

They followed Denis over to a table. He sat down between his father and mother. Someone else was at the table, Noah. He sat next to his wife, looking down at the floor. Holden came over a moment later, hugging his parents before sitting down to tell them about his adventures with his uncle over the last month.

Elijah and Sub bowed to them all, Sub still holding tightly onto Elijah's hand. Mrs.Kopotun smiled, streaks of graying in her hair.

"I haven't seen you both in forever!" She cheered. "I miss having you around, Sub." He nodded as a kind gesture. They both sat down in the two empty seats left for them, both specifically left separated. Sub sat between Mrs.Kopotun and Noah's wife, Elijah next to Mr.Kopotun and Noah.

"Elise couldn't make it?" Denis asked as he turned to his mother. She sighed and shook her head.

"She's getting ready to have her son. She was worried about going into labor on the ship." Mrs.Kopotun explained.

"How's the ocean been treating you?" Mr.Kopotun chimed in, taking a sip from the drink in front of him.

"Wonderfully. We've barely had any troubles," Denis looked over at his nephew. "And Holden has been a great help." Noah rolled his eyes.

"I didn't even want him to go with you in the first place," He muttered. He quickly went quiet as his wife kicked him under the table.

Servers walked out into the ballroom as food was served. They placed plates of food and refilled drinks as they went around to every table.

The family immediately began to eat. Sub suddenly felt a wave of anxiety as the food was placed in front of him. He always ate fine, but he felt like something was stopping him.

He glanced up and noticed that Elijah hadn't touched his food either. Mr.Kopotun chuckled. He nudged his son's shoulder.

"Trained them well, huh?" He laughed. Denis looked at him slightly confused at first as he finished chewing. He looked at the two Oadriums and smiled.

"You two can eat. There's a lot to do today." He said. Sub felt whatever was stopping him go away. He felt upset now though, realizing that his brain immediately went back to being compliant as soon as he saw Mrs. and Mr.Kopotun. Sub picked up the fork and knife and cut a piece of meat off. Elijah, however, still didn't move. Mr.Kopotun cleared his throat and Elijah flinched.

"He gave you an order, didn't he? Why aren't you following it?" He asked with a smile. Elijah turned back to the plate and immediately began eating. The table was awkwardly quiet for a while as everyone ate.

Denis turned to father after he'd finished eating. He looked at the scar straight down his face.

"Your scar is looking better," He said. Elijah stopped poking at the food on his plate as he heard the comment. Mr.Kopotun sighed and wiped his face with the cloth napkin.

"I thought it'd heal eventually," He mumbled. "I guess seeing it all the time is a good reminder though." He glanced at Elijah as his hands started to shake.

"Don't you think?" He continued. He leaned closer to him. "How could you forget something if the reminisce of it never went away?"

A loud shattering sound erupted from the center of the table. The glass vase holding flowers shattered in an instant, the water inside splattering onto the table cloth and the family.