“Tell you what? You find me some pants to put on, and I’ll sign whatever you want.”
His eyes widen. “You serious?”
“Deadly. I just got back from a visit with my family and lost my bag on the way.”
“Bummer, man. But yeah, totally. Give me a few.” He paddles toward the beach, grabbing his board and running over to one of the shops. He pops out the doors about five minutes later, noboard, but with some sort of clothing in his hand. Hopefully it’s big enough. He wades out to me and hands over a pair of shorts.
“It’s the biggest size they had, man. Hope they fit.”
I take them and try to discreetly pull them on without making things awkward. The guy doesn’t seem to care; all he’s focused on is the fact that I’m a famous drummer standing in front of him… naked.
“Thank you so much for this,” I say. “Seriously. You’re a life saver.”
“No problem, man.”
We make our way out of the water and go over to the shop, where he left his stuff. Turns out he’s friends with the guy who runs it. I sign a bunch of things and take so many photos I lose count, and I promise to come back and sign some new kraken merch they have coming in.
Can’t wait to see what that looks like.
When I step out of the shop, I’m feeling hopeful. I’m not far from my home, and getting there is all I need to do right now. I need to get there and then I can get to Leif.
Only when I head toward the road, there’s a now-familiar human man walking toward me, his face grim.
“Fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head as I puff out my chest and quicken my pace. “I am not going back with you,” I say sternly.
“I know,” he says, his voice softer than I expected.
My body deflates. I scratch the back of my neck.
“You know?”
“I won’t ask you to come back again, Aliko, if this is what you want to do.”
“I don’t understand,” I say.
He sighs. “I can’t control your actions. Keeping you there is a risk for me, for everything I’ve built. What’s the point?”
“You could have me killed. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about it.”
I’m being slightly sarcastic of course, but I don’t expect his answer regardless.
“Do you really think I would do that?”
It shocks me, but I don’t show it.
“It’s the kraken way.”
“You’re my son.”
“Yes. Your son, the failure.”
“Aliko—” He grits his teeth, looking away. After a few beats, he says, “Okay, yes. You’re right. You have not lived up to my expectations, but maybe… maybe I was too hard on you.”
“It’s the kraken way,” I say again.
“Yes. It is. And if that’s not for you…” He sighs. “I’d rather you be here than dead.”
I huff a laugh. “Well thanks for that.” I cross my human arms over my chest. “What about what people will think?”
