Black Hearted

Part 29

Sean backed away from Luka, glancing back in the direction of the ship as he uttered out frightened. "Mark... I've got to warn him." Sean started to swim, when Luka raced out in front of him to stop him. Sean stopped abruptly, snapping out as nicely as he could. "Out of my way, Luka!" Luka stayed put, asking him seriously. "Why are you racing back to that human? What has he ever done for you?" Sean puffed himself up, stating back firmly. "He saved my life from Harpies." Luka's eyes narrowed on him doubtfully upon grumbling out. "He probably put you in that situation in the first place. It's not saving you if he's simply taking what he wants back from something else." Sean raised a hand to stop him, retorting defensively. "I don't have time to argue with you. I need to warn him." Sean tried to move around Luka, but Luka tugged his tail back. Frustrated, Sean hissed at him. Luka didn't flinch, instead he told him bluntly. "How many times have you saved that pirate? How many times has he saved you? Think about it. He's using you. You should be with your own kind."

Sean rolled his eyes, thrashing his tail to get it out of Luka's grip. Luka let him go but drifted in front of him to say in a sweeter voice. "You want to venture to Atlantis? Then go. You don't need him. You can swim the depths with me." Sean's expression changed from anger to confusion as he stared into Luka's grey eyes. He was being serious. Luka swam up closer to him, his hands reaching out to slide down his arms lovingly. Sean flinched from the contact, letting Luka continue to say. "I admit it. I like you. I want you. So, come with me? I'll protect you better than he ever could." Sean swallowed anxiously. He had to play this smart. He didn't want to anger Luka, but he couldn't shake the feeling. Taking a deep breath, he gently told him. "Luka, I'm sure you're a great guy and all... but do you really love ME? Or are you just attracted to me?" Luka raised an eyebrow, before leaning in closer as he whispered. "Is there a difference?" Sean raised a hand to stop Luka's lips from touching his own as he stated seriously. "Yes. I'm not a treasure to be hoarded and admired. I need more than that. I'm sorry. I've got to go."

Luka snatched his arm before he got too far, telling him in a reluctant tone of voice. "Wait... Be careful and may the tides guide your way." Luka's hand slowly released his arm and Sean leaned in to kiss his cheek. Luka blushed, shying away from him. Sean gave him a smile then swam back to the ship as fast as he could. He rushed past a few sharks that circled the island and expected a fight, but they didn't pay him any attention. They were so docile that it was surprising. He pushed it from his mind though. He couldn't afford to be distracted now. Making it back to the ship, Sean glanced at the beach. Where there had been a bonfire before, there wasn't one now. The pit was nothing but a smoking pile of ash and the people were gone. Sean moved to the built-in ladder on the side of the ship and pulled himself up with his upper body alone. Flopping onto the deck, he glanced around. Empty. The place was so quiet. Were they all sleeping? He wanted to believe that, but his instincts were itching.

Something was wrong. Untangling his necklace from his wrist, he slipped it on and dashed for his clothes. While slipping them on, he felt a cold chill internally. His weapons were gone. Turning his eyes toward Mark's cabin, he slowly made his way over to the closed door. Reaching for the handle, he inhaled sharply in silence. The door had splinters by the knob. The door had been forcefully opened. Opening the door carefully, Sean pushed it open and called out uneasily. "Mark? Are you here?" The cabin was so dark that he couldn't see a thing inside. Adjusting his eyes to see in the dark, he swallowed nervously. The cabin looked empty. The only thing he hoped for was that Mark was asleep in the bed. It was the only thing he couldn't see from the door. Inching inside, he peeked at the bed. The bed was empty. Taking a step back from the cabin, his eyes were drawn to the light misty fog swirling around his feet. Kneeling to brush his hand through it, he felt a strange static in it. It wasn't like any fog he'd ever known.