Page 16 of Rescued By the Kraken

As we dig into our food, a sense of satisfaction washes over me. I’m doing everything I can to show Rey the best of our world, and her enthusiasm fills me with hope that she’s beginning to see just how beautiful it can be.

CHAPTERNINE

REY

The meal at Sora’s had been delightful, a fusion of flavors I had never tasted before. As we stroll along the beach, hand in hand, I marvel at the beautiful setting sun. The clouds are sparse, peppered across the pastel-colored sky, reflecting an array of stunning colors onto the pristine white sand below.

Everything is totally opposite than what it was yesterday…

Beside me, Zethe carries a net bag in his free hand, a container for the treasures we might find on our walk. His grip is warm, comforting, his tentacles occasionally brushing against my legs as we go.

“How are you feeling, Rey?” Zethe breaks the silence, his voice soft.

“Refreshed,” I say, looking up at him as the wind blows through his dark hair. “However, I admit that I’m getting tired and hope it’s okay if we retire after this sunset walk.”

“We’ll do anything for you.” He scans my face, then the rest of my body, as if looking for signs of injury or pain. “How did you like today?”

“Today was amazing,” I admit, my gaze locked on the horizon. “I mean, the resort is beautiful, the food was delightful, and getting my hair done by merfolk tomorrow… it’s all so surreal.”

Zethe lets out a chuckle, his grip on my hand tightening. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” he murmurs.

Suddenly, Zethe’s head snaps up, his gaze fixated on something in the distance. He lets go of my hand and rushes forward, his tentacles leaving a unique pattern in the sand. I hurry after him, curiosity piqued.

Bending down, Zethe scoops something up from the sand, holding it up to the fading sunlight. It’s a piece of sea glass, sea green and incredibly smooth, shaped by years of tumbling in the ocean.

He offers it to me, his dark eyes sparkling with excitement. “Take a look at this, Rey,” he urges, placing the piece of sea glass in my hand. “It’s in perfect condition.”

The sea glass is cool and surprisingly heavy. As I rotate it in my hand, the setting sun’s rays filter through the glass, casting a warm, greenish glow on my skin. I hold it up to my eye, peering through the glass at the ocean and the beach, the world taking on a tinted hue.

But Zethe isn’t finished.

With a sudden movement, he moves past me, reaching down to pluck another piece of sea glass from the sand. This one is a deeper, sapphire blue, just as smooth and mesmerizing as the first. He adds it to our collection, a growing testament to the treasures the sea can offer.

I spot a pink marble shell a little way off, half-buried in the white sand. I pick it up and examine it closely, a grin spreading across my face. The shell’s surface has an iridescent sheen, and its pink hue glows under the soft twilight.

“Zethe, look at this!” I call out, holding up the shell for him to see. He rushes over, a playful sparkle in his eyes.

“It’s beautiful, Rey,” he says, gently taking the shell from my hand to examine it. He then adds it to our growing collection in the net bag, now bursting with a rainbow of sea glass and an array of unique shells.

Zethe and I continue our scavenging, finding more and more treasures washed up by the storm. With each new find, a ripple of excitement passes between us, our shared joy in these simple discoveries is palpable, intoxicating. I’ve never felt more at ease, more genuinely happy.

But as the sky darkens and the stars begin to twinkle above, I find myself breathing heavily, my energy noticeably draining. I’ve lost track of time, the joy of our shared activity erasing all sense of hours passing.

Zethe notices my fatigue almost immediately, his observant eyes missing nothing. Wordlessly, he slings the near-bursting net bag over one tentacle. Then, in one fluid movement, he gently lifts me off the ground, cradling me in his strong arms.

The feel of his arms wrapped securely around me is comforting, the warmth of his body seeping into mine. His steady heartbeat against my ear is a soothing rhythm, a lullaby of the sea. I lean into him, a sense of peace washing over me.

“We’re done for today, Rey,” Zethe whispers softly into my ear. His voice carries the gentle strength of the ocean waves, the promise of safety. “Let’s retire for the night.”

Nestled in his embrace, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment that our day is ending. But, at the same time, a sense of anticipation for what tomorrow will bring fills me.

As we head back to the resort under the blanket of stars, I’m in awe of their beauty. It is a sight that I don’t get to see in the city and only see in pictures.

As Zethe carries me through the heart of the resort, the other monsters we pass greet him with nods and murmurs of acknowledgement. He responds with a tilt of his head, his focus never straying from the path in front of us.

The respect they show him gives me a sense of how much he’s revered here. He’s not just a lifeguard, he’s a part of this community.

As we pass by the various creatures, each unique and fascinating in their own right, I find myself wondering if I could truly fit into this world. I’m enjoying every moment spent with Zethe, and every interaction with the other monsters I’ve had has been nothing short of pleasant.

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