I’ve wanted to come back since I left.

Echo

Why didn’t you?

Mael

Don’t make this harder. I need to get us ready for tomorrow.

Echo

*heavy sigh* Fine

He’d gone from Echo running from him to asking him to come back in a matter of a day. That brought a smile to his face.

Echo

Are you okay?

Mael winced, wishing Echo hadn’t asked. The ride and their text chat had taken his mind off that morning, and he didn’t need the reminder.

Mael

I’ll be okay. I promise.

Mael

BTW I plan on asking my brother Havoc to come with us in case of trouble. My other siblings might jump on, invited or not—fair warning.

Echo

Do you expect trouble? The other shark?

Mael

I doubt we’ll see that other shark again anytime soon, but it couldn’t hurt to have help close for that as well, just in case.

Mael

I was more concerned with issues with the gear, etc. I haven’t dove in a while. Havoc is a certified specialty dive instructor. He runs a small shop and teaches classes.

Echo

Ah. How many siblings do you have?

Mael

Four living. Three brothers and a sister. Havoc, Storm, Ravage, and Tempest. Storm and Rav are twins.

Echo

Your mother has unique taste in kid’s names.

Mael

She claims she wanted to raise hellions. She succeeded.

Echo