I do not presume to know very much about Norse mythology or Viking folklore. In fact, I took a lot of creative freedom and ask pretty please don't come after me (sweat drops).
Thank you those who follow my story and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Kick doesn't believe in the supernatural. But as he stares at the necklace in his hand, he starts to consider it. It's one of the first gifts he ever gave Kendall, back before they even became something more, and she had worn it even on the day she was lost at sea.
The day he made a mistake.
The day she broke up with him.
The day she didn't let him explain.
Back then, seeing the necklace had given him hope that he could tell her what happened. That once she got back, he'd make sure she knew it wasn't what she thought and if she still wanted him out of her life then… well… he's not sure. Maybe he'd have respected her wishes. Maybe he'd have pursued her till she took him back.
Not like he'll ever find out.
He rubs his chest (because the thought causes him to ache) and wonders if maybe feelings like this is why the phrase "twist a knife in my heart" became a thing. The necklace is shoved into his pocket and ignored, but always with him and always on his mind.
Some days are harder than others, so he goes to the beach and watches the waves. Watches as boats of all sizes go by. Watches as the sun sets. Watches as he waits, but never sure what for.
It's on one of those days that Gunther finds him, a wild look in his eyes that Kick hasn't seen since… since the boat crash. And something in his gut tells him that's what his best friend wants to talk about.
"You're going to think I'm crazy," Gunther hands him a book, "But I think there's something more going on right now, and that- I just- I can't exactly explain it! But maybe this can!"
He shakes the book impatiently when Kick only stares at him. The first few pages are full of some kind of Viking legend about a siren, followed by notes about the sea goddess Rán and two of her daughters- Bylgia and Hevring- then a legend about a mermaid and a ritual, and pictures that Gunther must've sketched with his own hands.
One picture is of a dagger decorated with the phases of the moon.
The next is of a woman who has Jackie's face but none of her joy.
And last is of the sad woman Kick saw months ago.
On each picture are notes that bring him back to the legends of the siren and mermaid.
Heavy silence falls between them when he finishes reading, and Kick can feel the adrenaline racing through him. He doesn't know if he can take another disappointment, but he also knows that he needs some kind of closure.
So, he shares something only he and his sister know.
"Months ago, Brianna woke me up in the middle of the night and said she saw something impossible. I thought she wanted to hurt me, but I still couldn't help trying to look. I didn't find anything, but then…" He holds up the necklace, watching as Gunther rears back in shock.
"We need to find Brianna."