Chapter Ten

Another week has passed. Ty didn't think much of home anymore. He enjoyed his time on the Specter even though it's been three weeks since he's last been in the ocean. Shade didn't exactly trust him to go out yet but maybe soon.

"Hey, Guppy."

Ty set down the last harpoon gun and looked over his shoulder. Shade stood near the hatchway dressed in his usual dark pants and shark skin vest. Tattooed once again Ty wondered what was going to happen.

"What is it?" he asked and coiled up a loose rope.

"Stopping by at the Trade Station. You interested?" In between two of the outlaw's fingers was a plastic card. Probably a fake ID.

"You're letting me come with you?" he said and took the fake ID from Shade's hands.

"Can't expect you to stay cooped up in here for the rest of your life now can I?" he asked. "So, you in?"

"What if people notice me?" he asked. "Half of the people in the Trade Station know my parents."

"Don't worry about it. You're looking at the man who's been evading the Sea Guard for almost a year and they're still looking for an albino. Stick with us and you'll be fine."

Ty looked down at the card again and smiled. He was finally allowed to leave the ship.

He pulled the cap down lower on his head and zipped up the thin jacket the outlaws gave him to disguise himself. He slipped into a borrowed pair of shoes and was prepared to leave the Specter. He climbed up the ladder and out of the hatch. The outlaws had already assembled themselves on the edge of the catwalk. Trilo closed the hatch securely before tapping in a command on a wrist watch. The Specter began to sink out of sight and back under the water.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"We can't exactly leave her out in the open," Eel said. "She's got a good sense of direction anyway. She'll come back."

"Alright then," Shade said. "Let's go."

Ty stuck close to the outlaws, trying not to draw attention to himself. Most of the people the Gang passed, Ty recognized. He checked the cap he wore and stuck his hands into the jacket pocket. They took the elevator down to the bar at the bottom of the Trade Station. The room was dimly lit and smelled of stale smoke and liquor. The Gang pushed their way to a back table large enough for them all to sit at. Ty took his seat and scanned the crowd for familiar faces. There was Mel and a few men from the Seacoach, but other than that none of his neighbours were present.

The drinks started to pour and the outlaws started to drink up. Ty and Trilo stayed out of the drinking, but enjoyed the time to relax. Shade leaned back in his chair, almost invisible against darkened glass of the bar. The tattoos were the perfect cover to blend in.

"Is it alright if I go walk around up top?" he asked Shade. "The fumes are making me a little sick."

Shade looked over and tipped back a shot glass. He shrugged. "Do what you want. We'll be leaving in an hour or so."

"Thanks." Ty stood up and weaved his way back through the crowd and towards the elevator.

Back out in the open, the clouds were gray and rumbled. It was going to rain soon. The fish market was closed so the docks were deserted, except for a few fishermen who were preparing to leave to go back to fishing.

He passed by a poster tacked onto a post. He glanced at it briefly but went back to take a closer look. The poster had a picture in the center, a picture of him. In clear bold print, the word 'Missing' was on the top of the piece of paper. Underneath was a picture of him, smiling lightly at the camera while sitting at his desk with a precious artifact in his hands. Underneath was the description of him.

Name: Ty Townson

Age: 15

Appearance: Slight in build, green eyes, dark brown hair, five foot nine in height

Last seen at the Peavey's residence. If found, please contact the Seaguard or John and Carolyn Townson.

The poster looked wrinkled from the sun and rain. It was torn in some places. Obviously it's been up for a long time.

"Excuse me," a man asked. Ty turned around and saw a man asking one of the fishermen some questions while holding a piece of paper in his hands. "Have you seen this boy? He's been missing for three weeks and-"

"Sorry," the fishermen interrupted. "I haven't seen him."

"Well, thank you for your time." The man turned around and began walking in Ty's direction. It was Pa. He looked like hadn't slept well in weeks. There were bags under his eyes and he looked much older than he should be. Gray hair could be seen mixed in with his dark hair. He held a few posters in his hands.

Ty turned around and pulled the cap down tightly. He was confused of what to do. Maybe a week ago he would've gone running to Pa but now he wasn't so sure of what he would do. Pa would ask questions about where he's been. Should he go back to the Seablite Gang or should he stay here and walk over to Pa?

He kept his head down and walked towards the elevator.

The outlaws had finished their drinks and assembled back at the moon pool while waiting for the Specter to resurface. Ty stood at the back with his arms crossed over his chest. Shade took two steps back and stood beside him.

"Something bothering you?" he asked.

Ty shrugged. "I just want to get out of here." The Specter broke the surface of the water and the outlaws all clambered into it as quickly as they could. They had to leave so no one would see them.

Ty sunk down on a padded bench while the outlaws walked around him like he was still invisible. All he could think about was the look on his father's face. He looked so heartbroken, so defeated. The man lost his son and probably wouldn't stop hunting for him until he died. If that was what he looked like, then what about Ma? Zoe? How were they holding up?

Ty cleaned the gear room like he always did. Stacking harpoons, coiling ropes, folding dive suits, and refilling empty liquigen packs. The only time the outlaws called him was for dinner then it was onto dish washing. It was a cycle he would repeat as long as he was on this sub. Was it the cycle for him?

He couldn't fall asleep. He sat up on the padded bench with his head resting on his knees. The quiet hum of the artificial muscles relaxed him a bit like the air purifiers and the generators would back at home. What should he do? He missed his family but he wasn't sure if he should leave or not. Shade didn't exactly give him the all clear that he could leave.

He gave up thinking for the night and lay down on the bench. He might as well sleep on it and come up with a plan tomorrow.