Imperfect Love

Part 4

We just watch as the head comes closer and closer...

A figure emerges from the water close to the land, but his lower half in the water. The figure looks like a boy our age. What is he doing there? We have to go and help him.

"Tyer, I am going to help him out of the water." I tell Tyer. Before he can stop me, I start heading toward the boy. I climb on top of my ocean rock and lean over it to help him up. He just looks at me with black eyes. Now that I notice, his eyes are so dark, you can barely see the pupil. During my examination, I fail to notice myself slipping.

"Ah!!! Tyer! help!!!" I yell out as the rock's slanted surface causes me to slide toward the ocean. I could hear footsteps coming closer. But not close enough. I close my eyes and I feel hands holding my waist, preventing me from falling in. My legs wrap around something. I look and see the boy's eyes looking at me. He pinned me against the rock, preventing me from falling, using just his arms. I blush slightly at our awkward position with my legs wrapped around his waist. I gasp at his strength. How is he holding me up with just his hand? I don't have time to gawk at him as Tyer pulls me up by going underneath my armpits. When I look back over the rock, the mysterious black-eyed boy is gone.

"T-tyer! Did you see what h-he did?" My voice stutters a bit as I recall my past encounter.

"Yes, I did." He says grimly. "Are you ok now? I am sorry I couldn't to you on time."

"Yes, I am fine. Its ok. Thankfully, that boy saved me." I tell him. I hear him mutter something under his breath, but I don't pry because it seems as though he's in a bad mood. By now, it's getting dark. I don't want to be caught for sneaking away so I tell Tyer that we should be heading back. He just nods his head. That's strange, why is suddenly quiet?

I sneak back just in time as the gathering ends. The chief likes to talk a lot so no one really noticed my absence. After the gathering is done, my family and I head back home.

(TIME SKIP)

After dinner, I still had some time left because I had to go to sleep. I should be studying with my sister, but I wanted to go back to see the boy. Only for a minute, I tell myself.

"Mother, father, I am going out for some fresh air." I tell them as they are in the same one room with me. They nod and I head out. This time, I walk carefully since the only lights I have are from the torches from the village and the moon. I sit on my rock and see the same dark-haired head emerging from the water. Does he live here? How can a human survive in the ocean though?

"Hello. I am Kaaya, it's nice to meet you. Do you need help getting out of the water? I wouldn't think so because you saved me previously from the ocean Thank you for that." I tell him. He seems to be processing my words and then after a few moments, he replies.

"Hello. I am Adler. No, I don't need help. Thank you, though. And for saving you, that was my pleasure." His voice is deep and husky. It sounds as deep as the ocean. It's mesmerizing.

"Adler..." I say to myself. His eyes seem increase its intense gaze on one thing. Me. "Do you live near the ocean, perhaps on the rocks?" His eyes seem to twinkle with amusement, making me curious as to what was funny.

"I guess you could say that. I live near here, yes. And you, darling, where do you live?" He asks me softly as to not scare me. I blush slightly when he calls me darling, but don't ask about it. I am hesitant to tell Adler where I live, but I suppose no harm would come out of it as he lives near here as well.

"I live at the village up there. Once you get past these rocks, you could probably see it. Sorry for prying, but I have another question if you don't mind." I say carefully.

"Yes darling, do say your question." He asks.

"Why don't you come out of the water? Aren't you cold for staying there for so long?" I ask, genuinely curious. His eyes flicker with warning. He pauses for a moment as if to think about what to say to me.

"Mm...darling..why don't you come into the water? You see, I have been the ocean for so long that I feel comfortable living here. As of temperature, since I have been here so long, the water feels fine to me." He indirectly answered my question. I am still convinced that it isn't the real reason though.

Suddenly, his head turns to the side as if listening to something, but his stare is still on me, making me feel somewhat vulnerable. "Kaaya. I have to go now, but I will see you soon." He tells me, alarmed as he goes underwater.

After he left, I realized a couple of things. One, he keeps his head underwater for so long, how could he breath like that? Two, he may have lied to me to avoid my question. But, why? What is he hiding? I believe he may not be human. I feel shivers down my spine at the thought of talking to an inhuman being. It's best to stay away from him as much as possible, for the safety of myself and the village. Three, he called me Kaaya, instead of darling. But, that last one is not as important as the first two.