Chapter Eleven
The spear slipped from his grasp and clattered to the ground, cutting his fingers. Ty cursed. He's been hanging around outlaws too long. He picked up the spear with his none bloody hand and put it back in its appropriate spot.
"You alright back there, Guppy?" Kale hollered from the rec room.
"Fine," he answered. "Just fine." He cleaned up the rest of the gear room and retired to the rec room.
It's been two days since he had last seen Pa at the Trade Station. He's been disorganized ever since. He hasn't been focusing. Broken dishes, cut fingers, sleepless nights. The list is endless. The outlaws have noticed but didn't say anything. They all understood. Everybody has an off day.
He spread the blanket over top of himself as he settled down for the night. The outlaws were also getting ready to go to sleep up in their berths.
"Something's bothering you." Ty sat up and looked around. He couldn't see anyone. He sent out clicks and found Shade, casually leaning against the back wall.
Ty groaned and lay back down on the bench. "I'm fine."
Shade snorted. "I know you're not. I've been living with those clam suckers for three years now. I know when something is bothering someone." He sat down on the end of the bench. He sat there in silence until Ty got the message that he wasn't leaving.
"I saw my Pa at the Trade Station," he answered quietly. "He was asking fishermen if they saw me and showing them posters."
"What did you do?"
"What do you think I did? I ran. I didn't know what to do, what to say. He looked so defeated. I ran."
Shade stretched his legs out and sighed. "You know you're not forced to stay here. I expected you to ask us to drop you off when your shoulder healed but you didn't. What prompted you to stay?"
Ty sat up. "I didn't know I could leave. I guess I stayed because they accepted me, for what I was, for what I had."
"Are you saying you stayed because we accepted you for your Gift and that your parents won't?" Shade asked. "You stayed because of that?"
He shrugged. "I don't exactly know why I stayed. I just did. And now I don't know what to do. I don't want to hurt my family by leaving, but then again I don't want to leave the Specter because you guys accept me for what I am. I don't know if my parents will."
"They're your parents aren't they?" the outlaw asked.
"Yes."
"Well then what's to reconsider? You actually have parents unlike the rest of us. Don't take them for granted. They should accept you for what you are, not just kick you to the side or try to fix you." Shade stood up. "Take a day to think about it. We'll drop you off if you want to leave and if you wish to stay, then welcome to Seablite, Guppy." He climbed the ladder and disappeared.
Ty stayed awake the entire night. He found some pieces of paper and writing utensils lying around in the front of the Specter. He began to write two notes to help him plan his thoughts. One letter was to his parents and the other was to the Seablite Gang, both saying how sorry he was for leaving and why. The Seablite one was easy. The one for his family was harder.
Dear Ma and Pa,
I'm sorry you've been so worried about me. I've been on the Specter and have decided it is the place for me. Please don't look for me. I'm not coming back.
Crap. Pure and utter crap. He crumbled up that piece of paper and took out a new one.
Dear Ma and Pa,
A lot has happened during these three weeks. I've been shot, held has a hostage, became deathly ill, healed, made some friends, and came to terms with my Gift. You believe that the Dark Gift I had (biosonar) has went away. I only said that so the hospital would release me. I knew that if I told you I still had it, you would move the family Topside and we would stay there forever. The ocean is and forever will be my home. I hid my Gift so we wouldn't leave. I've been ashamed of it, but the people I'm staying with taught me different.
I can't say who I am staying with since it could put us all in danger. You won't be able to find me so just give up. I'm not coming back. I found my place and I actually like it here. These people accept me for what I am. They understand what it's like to be a freak. I'm sorry I can't come back. I've accepted my Gift as something to be proud of. It won't go away on its own. It will always be a part of me.
So please move on with your lives. Run the farm and run it well. I don't want the 'wealth taking it from you. Not after all that hard work we put into it. Tell Zoe that I'm sorry. I was really looking forward to that fishing trip we planned. Tell her not to be ashamed of her Gift (Yes, she has one too, as does every other child in Benthic Territory). I was wrong to tell her different.
These will probably be the last words you hear from me. It'll be easier for us both if I just end it now instead of droning it on further. Pa, you were the greatest father a kid could ever have. You taught me many useful skills that I will never forget. Ma, I miss your cooking. Just saying, the people I'm staying with aren't great cooks. I'll miss the warm smile you always gave me and all the times you took care of me when I was sick. You always did what was best for me. I'll miss you both terribly.
Love, Ty
Ty looked down at both letters contently. He got out what he wanted to say for each scenario but now he had to choose which one he should leave behind. That was the hard decision he had to make. He folded them up and cleared the table where he was writing. Tucking both letters into the pockets of his pants, he collapsed onto the padded bench and finally succumbed to exhaustion.
He had to wait until they docked at the Trade Station to give away his letter. No one knew what he decided. Hopefully what he did decide was the right choice.
Two raids later, the Specter sailed towards their usual drop off location and the Seablite Gang dealt with their regular dealer before going off to the Trade Station to celebrate. It was a good week.
Dressed in the same cap and jacket, Ty was the last to the climb up the ladder and out of the Specter. He took the belongings from his dive belt and stuck them into the pockets of his jacket. The last thing he left behind was a folded letter on the table.
He jumped onto the edge of the moon pool and waited. Should he leave now or later? Probably now so he wouldn't have to answer so many questions later. The outlaws walked forwards towards the elevator. They didn't notice him slipping away without a word.
The outlaws usually docked when the fish market was closed. Fewer people were there to see them. The fish market was deserted as usual. The clouds had still not gone away and the wooden planks were wet from rain not too long ago. He looked around for Pa, thinking he should be here asking fishermen if they've seen him or not. Pa wasn't the type of person to give up so easily. He would still be looking for Ty.
He wandered around a bit, looking for the Slicky or anything else that suggested Pa was here. A new poster maybe? Anything really, as long as it said that Pa was here somewhere. What if he didn't find Pa? He should go to Ranger Grimes and tell him the whole story he made up to protect the Seablite Gang. He couldn't let them be caught. Not after all they did for him. They weren't what people thought of them. Underneath the scars and the murderous attitudes, they were actually quite nice people. People who were hurting and seeking justice. Or revenge. Whatever one it was. They were nice people when you got to know them. Even though they wouldn't stop raiding, Ty explained clearly in his note to them that if they ever touched a single homestead in Benthic Territory again, he would tell the Seaguard the whole story and every single detail about them. He was pretty adamant about that.
He walked from one end of the dock to the other several times. Pa should be here hopefully. Maybe he could "borrow" a sub the drive it home. He's been around outlaws for too long.
Just as he was about to give up hope and go looking for a sub, someone tapped his shoulder.
"Excuse me," the man asked. Ty turned around. With his cap pulled down low and the jacket covering up his shine, he wasn't surprised that Pa didn't notice him right away. "I was wondering if-" He drifted off as Ty pulled off his cap.
A minute of silence past, then two as Pa's eyes drifted over every aspect of Ty. No words were needed. After so many weeks apart, all they did was grip each other tightly.
Ty trembled and held onto Pa. Maybe this was a dream. Maybe Pa wasn't here.
"You're safe, Ty," his fathered whispered. "You're safe."