In a quiet coastal town, Ilias Kavanagh grows up surrounded by silence, secrets, and unseen wounds. As he struggles with an unspoken grief at home and the slow unraveling of his own innocence, small choices lead him into darker places he cannot escape. What begins with whispers and glances becomes a spiral of betrayal, guilt, and loss, until even the shoreline he once trusted feels like it's pulling him under. "The Tide's Lament" is a story of isolation, buried truths, and the slow drowning of a boy who was never meant to be saved. Author's Note: This story explores emotionally complex and sensitive situations, including blurred boundaries and psychological distress. Please read with care.