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