Prey

Chapter Eight: Hardest Temptation.

Larose's Cove.
September 14th, 2023.
6:18 pm.

     Larose went to see her brother, Cyraen and cut our lesson short. I was glad to see some free time and I decided to be adventurous and snoop around the cove. It was quite big, to my surprise, and found that there were many things from the surface that scattered across the sandy terrain.

There was plenty of silverware, pictures, jewels and many valuables that have been long lost to the sea. Inspecting the many gems and beautiful treasures, I find myself smiling at all the simple and shiny pieces loitered around, put on display.

I swam to the shelves, seeing many books and trinkets that show taste and finesse. There were many animal statues, some made of stone, others metal. Many wolves, bats, and other wild animals perch on top of the rock. My eyes wander around in curiosity as the animals show either proud, relaxed positions or fierce and powerful attacks and defenses.

Light casts through from somewhere, catching my attention from the pretties in the shelf. Silently, I swim upwards and follow the light, finding a big enough hole to squeeze myself through. I take the chance and squeeze through, finding the area secured and quite big.

My eyes widened at the darkness of the water and noticed the further I looked up, the brighter it got. I slowly swam upwards, taking the chance at my curiosity.

I wondered why the light was coming through and I wondered if I could figure out where I was. Maybe I was somewhere near Rio or maybe California. The waters were slightly warm, so maybe I was near Cuba and Mexico. At the thoughts of being somewhere new, my eyes glistened with amazement, rising my hopes.

Just as I was halfway to the surface, a hand grabbed my tail, preventing me from my journey. Gasping, I look down to find red hair and bright eyes. Kanto swims through the hole himself, settling his eyes on me once he's looked around.

His hands go to my arms, his eyes inspecting every inch of me. When he was finished with his observation, he looked me in my eyes again and released me.

"What are you doing out here, all alone?" I quirked my eyebrows at his sudden concern and pulled away from his personal space.

I swallowed, not really sure as to what  I should say. I felt guilty, but it's not like I would run anywhere. I have fins now.

"I was just curious—"

"Curiosity will get you killed." He scowls at my answer.

"Don't sneak in places you aren't supposed to, and most importantly: Know your place, Freshling," his harsh words rile up my fins, quite literally actually, and I find myself scowling back at him.

"What is your problem?" I asked angrily.

Kanto suddenly looks at me dumbfounded. "What?" His dark blue eyes narrow at me, egging my nerves to the edge.

I glare at him, gritting my teeth. "What is your problem with me? What have I done that's pissed you off so much to act so bittersweet towards me? Is it my face? Or maybe my eyes? Has my tail thrown you off or even the colors, have I offended you?—"

Before I could speak more, Kanto runs a hand through his hair and growls. Shocked at his outburst, I find myself full of fear and begin to back away. Only I didn't anticipate on Kanto jerking me to his chest with his tail and holding me in place.