Kai stared down into the cool, dark waters of the ocean below, the pier creaking below his bare feet. He'd strained his ears to listen harder, to block out the sound of crashing waves behind him.
From the open waters, there was only silence.
He slowly lowered himself down. Once he was sitting on the edge, his lower legs dipped beneath the surface, and the tattooed black tentacles painted on his foot seemed to writhe in movement.
He hissed under his breath as he noticed a small patch of delicate silver scales erupt on his leg, and quickly withdrew them again, opting to sit cross-legged instead. His black shorts slightly damp, he leaned back and closed his eyes, his face turned slightly up to the sun.
So lost in thought, he didn't hear the sound of gentle footsteps behind him.
