My Lost Treasure

A Horizon Apart

WC: 830

"So what again is the whole deal with these Alteans?"

Katie stared out at the horizon while Lance guided her tiny little rowboat. Small, gentle waves lapped against the bottom of the barnacle-covered boat as they neared a calm part of the open sea.

"There was a huge conundrum a while back. The Altean captain, Alfor, pulled out his crew at the last second to avoid fighting with the Galra, leaving my father and our crew to fend for themselves. Alfor was killed when they retreated. The Alteans had promised to stand alongside my parents but they broke that and now my mother is gone. I think Father blames it on them that she's gone. It brings back bad memories for him, I bet."

"Does he ever talk about it with you?" Lance asked, swishing his tail below the waves.

"No, why would he? He's told me everything that he wants me to know. Anything else I'd have to pry out of him with a crowbar."

"A... what?"

"Nevermind."

Katie ran a hand through her windswept hair while Lance tapped his chin. "Does this Captain Allura have any other details she could spare you?"

"I tried asking, but Shiro decided to butt in. He's head over heels for Allura, by the way. I think I can get them together by the end of the season."

Lance snorted. "Matchmaker, huh?"

"One of my many talents," Katie smirked at him, leaning towards him in the boat.

Lance's eyes widened as she moved closer to him and she watched as he averted them to the boat, his cheeks tinging red. "Uh, so, where do you want to go today? There's a really pretty coral reef over that way."

Katie quickly sat back and brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Uh, yeah, the coral reef sounds beautiful."

Lance smiled, and Katie could only hope he was giving her a look that said, "Beautiful, just like you."

The wind whipped in her ears as Lance all but flew them across the ocean. How could he go this fast with just a tail?!

"What the quiznack, Lance! How are you doing that?!" She yelled, gripping the sides of the boat, white knuckles and all. But she realized too late that his head was under the water and he'd probably have to have super-hearing to hear her scream over the rush of the wind and waves.

The thrill ride was soon over as Lance steered them toward a rougher patch of ocean, the water choppy and a deep, dark blue. Lance popped his head up over the side of the boat and shook out his hair with a grin.

"Aaaand here we are, Outlander's Reef."

Curiously, Katie poked her head over the boat. She frowned. All she could see was deep, murky water. "What exactly am I meant to be seeing?"

"A reef, silly! You know, coral and stuff." Lance disappeared under the water and pointed ahead. But at what?

Katie squinted until she felt her eyes might pop out. Maybe if she went underwater? She bit her lip... and then took a deep breath before sticking her face under, eyes wide open.

They stung at first, but she soon saw Lance's surprised look, and then his smile. He pointed out again.... and just like last time, nothing.

She quickly popped her head back up, gasping for air as she brushed back her wet hair. Lance quickly joined her, draping his arms over the edge of the boat.

"I think my eyes might be broken."

"You... you seriously can't see it?"

"No...no, I can't. Are you... are you sure humans are allowed to be here?"

Lance raised an eyebrow, and the scales on his face shifted in the sunlight as he moved. "I've never thought of that... I wonder if this reef is enchanted to protect it? I mean, I know you wouldn't do anything to it, but—"

"But maybe some other human did." Katie finished, allowing the sudden bite to her voice. "Someone had to go and ruin it... of course, just like humans to destroy a beautiful reef..."

Lance sighed, and his pointed ears drooped a little.

She reached out to lay a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry...I guess I'll just take your word that it's beautiful."

"Nah, it's not your fault. I just... wanted to show it to you is all." Lance gave her a half-hearted smile. "Well, no use moping. What about we go somewhere else? There's a cool cave up that way, and I found a really interesting rock formation back where your ship is..."

But Katie waved him off. "Maybe tomorrow, Lance. I... I think I need to have a chat with my dad."

Lance looked at her curiously, but didn't pry. "O-oh, okay... Um, yeah, I'll just...take you back then."

He splashed under the waves with a disappointed glance, but they were soon homebound without another word between them.

~~~~~

I LIVE

So after like

Three hundred bajillion years

I'm finally updating this!!! I know so many of you have asked for a new chapter, and I wanted to give you one, but I had to prioritize school and family. A lot has been going on, but I'm sure you guys understand :)

Anywho, I apologize if this chapter made no sense and was absolute trash; I'm writing it the morning after Christmas, technically 2:45 am, December 26th, and I'm basically brain dead but I wanted some sort of filler chapter. And don't think this chapter is insignificant; it's gonna matter later ;)

So yeah, apologies, and also thanks to all your kind words on this and my other book!! Please leave me as many comments as you want; I don't see it as spam, I see it as love which is always appreciated. I also hope you all had a very merry Christmas, or whatever you celebrate, and enjoy the promise of a new year.

Love y'all so much!
Bai!!!

12/26/17