I do not claim ownership to Luca or any of the associated characters.

TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains descriptions of violence and bodily injury. Please read at your own discretion.

Chapter 7: Dark Waters

That fateful afternoon faded into evening and then eventually into morning again. Another evening, another morning…. Another and then another. Life in Porto Rosso moved on, but not for Luca. The fishing boats went out and back in, children practicing for the Porto Rosso Cup could be seen training in the harbor and throughout the streets, the local Thalassino community hosted their famed and annual farmer's market down by the edge of the continental shelf; but with every day that passed, Luca felt less and less like himself. He was little more than a shell now, going through the motions of his days, helping around on the farm, but never really existing in the moment. He was caught in a far, far away place repeatedly hearing Alberto's final words to him replay again and again in his tortured family were not oblivious to this change in him, but they felt powerless to help. Daniela tried frantically to speak with her son on multiple occasions, but every time Luca was simply evasive. Lorenzo had even less luck under the guise of trying to have a "man-to-man" conversation, which did little more than make both of them uncomfortable. Only Luca's Grandmother seemed to understand, even if she didn't say anything. The closest thing to solace Luca found was when he helped her shell some oysters for dinner one evening. There were no questions, no forced conversation, but somehow in her silence Luca felt his grief was quietly comforted.

Days morphed into weeks, and the summer was slowly ebbing along. Now midway through July, they had reached peak fishing season, particularly for prawns, lobster, and tuna populations. The warmer summer waters made the critters more active as they sought out the shallow warmer waters by the coast. This meant that humans and Thalassinos alike were buzzing incessantly to hurry on the market. Even if Luca had wanted to speak to Alberto again, he hadn't had a chance. Massimo's fishing buggy was almost never in port anytime Luca swam by, and even on his few trips topside, Giulia had confirmed as much on his last visit with her.

"Ah, you know how it is. Things will just be super busy for the next few weeks and then it'll calm down a bit." Giulia flicked a bright red twist over her shoulder. "Santa Pepperoncini! I forgot! Have you heard back from Milan yet? What was that envelope you came by to collect the other day?"

Luca grimaced. He'd tried to collect his letter from its hiding spot, but Massimo had caught him while putting out the milk bottles. "Oh… it was just a… thank you letter for submitting my application," Luca lied, "It said an official response would be mailed to me soon."

Giulia scrunched her face into a sour expression. "Che fregatura! Why don't they just send a single letter telling you you're accepted – because obviously you're going to be!" She gave him an encouraging wink which made him wince. She suddenly gave him a quizzical look. "Oh—and why was your letter under the flowerpot?"

"Safe-keeping," Luca lied quickly. "Below surface we often have to tuck things under stones and such so they won't float away with the currents."

He prayed silently that Giulia would believe his white lie. One raised eyebrow told him she didn't seem convinced, but to his relief, she shrugged it off. "Well next time just ask us to keep it safe in a drawer or something, but if it's just a 'thank you' letter you can probably toss it out. After all, it seems silly that they would pay for double postage…but maybe it's just because they're such a fancy school."

Luca hadn't had the heart to tell her the truth. In fact, he hadn't told anyone about his acceptance to the Universita degli Studi di Milano Stetale. After his fight with Alberto, he felt he couldn't even be excited about it anymore. He felt so overcome with guilt every time he thought about it that now his departure to Milan felt more like a deserved punishment of some sort. He had committed some unforgivable sin on the person he cared about most in this world, and now he would leave for Milan as a means to hide his shame and let Alberto carry on with the life he had built for himself already… a life that functioned just fine without Luca.

Luca had since resigned himself to this knowledge, but knowing he still had more than a month left in Porto Rosso left him feeling anxious. He didn't want to tell anyone else about Milan, especially after Alberto's reaction. Giulia knew, of course, because she had been with him the day he applied. Representatives from dozens of universities had come to a sort of promotional fair at their school in Genova, in which he and she had both participated in… but Luca knew his parents would likely have a similar reaction to Alberto's, and Luca now felt he might have taken their trust and generosity in him for granted when they were brave enough to let him go to school with Giulia all those years ago. That must've been an incredibly terrifying decision for them, one that Luca had not really considered the gravity of since at the time he had been little more than a wide-eyed, knowledge-hungry child. But Alberto's argument about Luca traveling alone, so far inland, for an undetermined amount of time was admittedly pretty frightening, and Luca worried his parents would be absolutely devastated to find out he planned to leave again.

Just like Alberto had been…

Now, lying in the dark water, Luca poured over those horrible memories again. The daytime made it easier… he could distract himself with menial tasks and chores around the farm. But in the evenings, he had nothing to stop the thoughts. He'd spent most of his nights lately rolling over and over or swimming small circles in his tiny room. Now once again he found himself restless and exhausted. With a groan he wafted himself through the water and slipped quietly out of the cottage. Maybe a quick trip topside would distract him… just a quick breath of fresh sea breeze air to cool his raging thoughts.

Luca swam in the familiar direction of Porto Rosso on autopilot, not really paying much attention to his surroundings. The harbor was still very dark, but his keen Thalassino eyes could see well in the great expanse of water. He could almost make out the shadowed, blurry shapes of boats and docks ahead, but suddenly—he paused. His ear fin ticked upward, catching onto a distant but familiar whirring sound.

A boat motor…?

Luca flicked his tail, sending him towards the surface for a better look. When he emerged from the water, he could tell by how low the moon was in the sky that it had to be very, very late in the night—so much so that it was practically morning. What was a boat doing out at this time? Perhaps returning from an overnight fishing trip? From glancing around, Luca couldn't see a boat in the darkness, even with his sharp eyes. He ducked back under, swiveling in the dark water to identify where the sound was coming from. The sound traveled farther and clearer through the water, but it sounded to Luca as though the motor was heading away from the docks.

It's not my business… a small voice whispered in Luca's mind. But a larger part of his natural curiosity began to itch. At the very least, the aching he felt over his fight with Alberto was momentarily forgotten as he began to swim in the direction of the sound. It was faint at first, but it grew stronger as they turned eastward following the coastline. After swimming what felt like forty minutes or longer, Luca felt his exhaustion catching up to him and he feared he'd lose the boat, but miraculously it puttered to a stop less than half a league from him. Heart hammering, Luca continued onward to catch up to the boat, stopping to surface maybe ten yards from the bobbing buggy. In the dim light of the low moon, Luca examined the shape of the boat as it dipped up and down with the waves. Luca's eyes widened.

That's… Massimo's boat!

What on earth was going on? Was Alberto on the buggy? What was he doing so far out so late in the night? Luca ducked back underwater and swam towards the boat, staying well below the surface just in case. Whatever was going on, Luca had an unusual feeling that something wasn't right. He elected to keep his presence hidden until he knew more about the situation. Luca crinkled his nose at the scent of gasoline in the water as he swam up under the hull. He gingerly crawled his way up the metal body and listened with every scale perked. Someone could be heard talking above, but a quick glance up the edge of the hull revealed no one was looking over the railing. Luca chanced his opportunity to breach the surface, just enough so he could hear the voices—and the voice he heard confirmed his fears…

"I'm telling you, Edoardo, we're not going to find anything this far out at this time of night." Alberto's voice rang clear out into the darkness. So, it was Alberto… and apparently also Massimo's other hire, Edoardo. No voice responded, but Luca could hear heavy footsteps thudding above. Alberto continued, "I admire your enthusiasm, but really, I know how and when the fish travel. They're more active when the sun is up. I keep telling you, you've gotta learn to listen to m—"

Luca heard a sharp clang, and Alberto's voice fell silent. There was a heavy thump on the floor of the boat.

"I've done nothing but listen to your bullshit for months, and I'm finally at my wit's end, you fucking fish."

Luca clapped a hand over his mouth to keep from gasping. This man was talking that way to Alberto… this man had— hurt Alberto.

"Ed-o-ardo.."

Another thump. "Shut up you walking chum bucket. I'm so sick of listening to your incessant chatter. It's a wonder your species even has the capacity to talk. Don't you all just gargle underwater?"

This time there was no response from Alberto. Luca edged as silently as possible along the edge of the boat, carefully ducking around a buoy that was tied on to the side. As carefully as he could, he edged himself higher inch by inch, until he spotted a tiny hole in the hull. It was little more than a ring hole for tying ropes through or hanging cages on, but it was enough that Luca could peek through the miniscule opening.

Alberto was lying face down on the deck, while Edoardo was kneeling above him with his knee thrust squarely in Alberto's back. He was using rope to bind Alberto's hands behind him. Luca could smell the distinct metallic scent of fresh blood on the wet wood floor. Edoardo continued talking while he roughly tied Alberto in restraints.

"Now listen to me carefully, fin face: I know Porto Rosso has some kind of unfair monopoly on the fishing markets, and I know it's because of you freaks. You have some way of tracking the fish schools in the water. Well, I think it's pretty unfair for assholes like Massimo to take all the profit from that very special talent of yours, but I have a proposal that I think you'll want to hear—"

"I'm willing to keep your little secret if you agree to work with me. We'll go wherever we want: France, Spain, Africa. We're going to set up a new fishing company, and you're going to help me take over the industry. I know I can't compete with all of Porto Rosso, because there's too many of your kind already infiltrated there. But we could take your skills anywhere outside of Italy, and we could dominate the fishing industry wherever we go. I'll even give you a 5% cut of the earnings, so you can buy yourself a nice fish tank to sleep in, or whatever you like—"

"Now I'm giving you this offer—it's a very generous offer, mind you—but here's your other alternative. If you decide you're not up to the task, then I'm going to turn you over to whichever government bids for the highest dollar, and they can do to you whatever the hell they like. Cut you open, take your blood, shoot you with electroshock, and whatever else those crazy scientists can think of. I mean you're a living mythological legend. They're going to tear you apart to understand how you even exist —"

He finished tying Alberto's legs and arms together tightly and finally stood. Alberto took a deep, pained inhale, indicating he likely couldn't breathe well with Edoardo on his back. "Now I packed enough gasoline to get us as far as Naples, so you'll have plenty of time to think over your options. I know that you need to be exposed to water in order to use any of your fishy traits, so I'm going to keep you dry for now for everyone's safety, but just in case you get any wild ideas about trying to fight me or escape into the water, you should understand that I will rat out the entire city of Porto Rosso if you try to ditch me and save yourself. Just think about that for a moment—your whole species exposed for the monsters they are. Maybe some of them will survive the siege on the town, and some likely won't, but I'm sure a few will be excited to fill the starring role at whatever aquarium they end up in when they're captured and sold for science."

"Now, I'll let you think that over for a while. You have until we get to Naples to give me your answer. Got it, kid?" He laughed a greedy, evil chuckle and yanked Alberto up into a seated position. He gave him a pat on the head and stepped into the captain's cabin. Luca could finally see a tiny, though mostly obscured, glimpse of Alberto. He had a nasty mark on his cheekbone that looked like it was swelling and bleeding, and his eyes looked dazed.

Alberto!

Luca had to get them both out of there. Heart hammering uncontrollably, Luca slipped silently into the water and took stock of his surroundings and the situation. He needed to somehow cut Alberto free first, and then if they could both make it into the water they could swim back to Porto Rosso and warn the Thalassinos. Or maybe, if they were both able to work together, they could subdue Edoardo and take him and the boat back to Porto Rosso, where the police could arrest him… but that all depended on what state Alberto was in right then. Would he be able to fight once Luca cut him loose? Would he even be able to swim? Luca took several deep gulps, trying to coax calmness over his gills. He had to act quickly because once Edoardo turned the engine back on, he would have a difficult time keeping up with the boat. For the moment, they were bobbing quietly in the dark water, with the threat of taking off lifting with every passing wave.

As silently and delicately as possible, Luca slinked his way up the side of the boat like an eel, using the gentle suction of his Thalassino fingertips to keep him anchored to the side. He edged his way to the starboard side of the boat, knowing the doorway to the captain's cabin was on the opposite side. He would have a better chance at stealth if he entered from the back side. Through the tiny cabin window, Luca could clearly see the back of Edoardo's hat, with the gentle glow of a cigar casting orange shade through the window. Seizing his opportunity, Luca waited for the boat to tip his way with a wave and then heaved his body weight over the side. Landing gently in a pile of netting, he could see Alberto's legs sticking out awkwardly just around the corner. I need something sharp… Luca thought. He glanced wildly around, but there wasn't much he felt he could use…

Ah! The tackle box!

As if by an unbelievable stroke of luck, Massimo's battered, old tin tackle box was tucked in a corner of the boat, almost completely concealed by fishing net rolled in an untidy heap. Moving carefully so as not to make any sound, Luca gingerly lifted the lid and squinted at the dark contents inside… a few tangled rolls of fishing line, salt-rusted needles used for repairing holes in the netting, and… Yes! A small scaling knife, slightly dulled from overuse but which still shimmered with the glint of a dangerous edge. Luca grabbed it quickly and delicately let the lid of the tackle box close. The boat still rocked gently in the water, but there was no indication yet that Edoardo was in any sort of hurry.

Heart hammering wildly, Luca sank as low to the floor of the buggy as he could, practically pressing himself into the very cervices of the floorboards. Inch by inch he slithered around the edge of the captain's cabin. He could see Alberto's body coming into view little by little… his head hung limply to the side, and his usually bouncy curls looked flattened and matted to his scalp. Was he awake? Was he concussed? Luca had to let him know that he was there to help him without alerting Edoardo… Feeling as though he might throw up his own heart out of his throat, Luca held his breath—

Silencio Bruno!

He shot his hand forward like a dart to stifle the shocked sound Alberto muffled as Luca pressed himself tightly up behind him. "It's me," Luca dared to breathe into his ear, hardly believing what he was doing at that moment. "Don't move! "

Alberto craned painfully to try and face his friend. To his credit, he didn't try to speak, but his eyes betrayed his absolute shock and terror at realizing what was happening. He wanted to shout, to tell Luca to jump overboard and save himself—Edoardo was a madman. He had no reason to keep Luca alive like he planned to do with Alberto. Luca was in far greater danger than he was… what was he doing here?!

Frantically, Luca scrambled to pull Alberto's bound hands toward him at an angle he could work with. Luckily it seemed he was just tied with some kind of nylon rope, and while not perfect, the little scaling knife would at least help their situation. Trying carefully to wedge the tiny blade into the tightly bound coils without hurting Alberto, Luca worked the knife backward and forward in tiny increments. The nylon was weakening, fiber by fiber, but it wasn't enough. Not more than a few moments into their endeavor, there was a guttural grunt, the creak of wood—

"HEY!"

Luca leapt backward just in time before a heavy fist collided with the wood right beside him. Edoardo had shoved Alberto sideways in his rage and was lumbering towards Luca with a deadly anger.

"Luca! Jump!" Alberto screamed, terrified and unable to even see his friend as he still lay bound on his side. Not even thinking, Luca sprang backward, headfirst, into the dark water. The bubbles surrounded him, but his momentum did not stop. He was rushed with adrenaline and anger, driven by an overpowering need to save his friend. A powerful flick of his tail fin sent him throttling back upward, arcing under the hull of the buggy and with enough force that he rocketed out of the water and landed back on the nose of the boat. His claws dug deep into the soft wood railing as he crouched on his landing. The fins on his back stretched into sharp, menacing points. Moonlight illuminated his green and blue scales, shining like radioactive pinpricks all over his body. Luca locked his sharp, cat-like eyes on Edoardo, who was leaning over Alberto now with the sharp point of a harpoon lodged dangerously near his neck. With teeth bared and a guttural, animal hiss, he commanded, " Don't…you…touch him!"

He must've been a menacing sight, because for just a moment, Edoardo looked truly afraid. Even Alberto seemed momentarily stunned by Luca's fierceness. Edoardo snapped back into focus not a second later. With a tight grip on Alberto's shirt collar, he thrust the young man down and lunged instead for Luca. Luca let out a horrible snarl and pounced, raking the man with his claws and fins as he came toppling down on top of him. They scuffled for several moments, rocking and shaking the small boat while it threatened to capsize. Alberto, meanwhile, struggled to sit upright and continued working at his bindings, all the while watching his friend desperately. Luca scratched, Luca bit, Luca snarled – for every bit the sophisticated educated Thalassino he had made himself to be, in this moment he was completely overcome with animalistic instinct. He fought valiantly, but he was fighting a man easily twice his size. Edoardo used his stature to his advantage, slamming Luca into the side of the boat and winding him. The force of the blow knocked Luca's head sharply into the hard wooden boat edge, and his vision blurred. With a pained gasp, Luca fell stunned, hearing the faint echoes of Alberto's voice calling him while images of a scratched and bloodied Edoardo standing over him danced in and out of focus. He felt a suffocating pressure at his neck and felt the heavy weight of his own, limp body dragging downward as Edoardo lifted him, choking him.

"You fucking fish brat!" Edoardo spat in his face. "One less of you monsters will be doing a service to the world!"

Luca clawed weakly at the fat hands at his throat, but the dark night sky was growing darker as his eyes started to fade to blackness. He could only hear quiet, fading sounds of Alberto's voice calling from him far, far away as he slipped into unconsciousness.

"ARGH!"

Edoardo screamed in pain and released his grasp on Luca. Alberto's human fangs were sunk deep into the fleshy back of his leg, while his arms were still tied helplessly behind him. Luca, whom Edoardo had been holding slightly above the edge of the boat ledge, fell limply backward into the dark water with a numb splash. Edoardo was livid. He placed a sharp kick at Alberto's chest, picked up the harpoon from the floor of the boat, and with a practiced hand and steady aim, slung the blade into the water.

"NO!"

Alberto wrenched his arms so forcefully he felt the nylon tear at his skin, but it did stop him. With an arm now free he acted without thinking. A heavy iron anchor sat by the captain's cabin, and with a strength that felt like it wasn't his own, Alberto lifted it and swung. It collided with the shocked and angered face of Edoardo, who crumpled to the floor of the boat immediately and did not move again. Not even sparing a moment to check if the man was still alive, Alberto stumbled to the edge of the buggy and peered out over the deep, black water. "Luca!" he called hoarsely. " Luca!"

But there was no response. Only the gentle sloshing of sea water greeted his keen Thalassino senses… the smell of salt and pungent algae and…. The metallic tang of blood in water.

No… no, no, NO!

And with nothing else but the Giant Silver Fish overhead to witness his terror, Alberto dove into the murky, bloody water below.

Thank you for reading.

Until next time,

Olly