The Ocean’s City
Chapter 57

I thought about not sticking around to see what he had to say. It seemed like it would be too easy too simply turn on my heel and run out of there, but then there were the questions of the swamp.

His chair slowly turned to face me, confirming all my fears. It was the old man from the beach. He was cleaned up, looking like a man in charge rather than a beach-bumming old man. He wore no green fisherman hat and no fish hooks dangled from it. This time, I was the one in the ratty t-shirt, and he, with his peppered beard, was neatly groomed. He smiled and folded his hands together.

“Silvestia,” he stretched out each syllable of my name, making it sound like a curse. A chill tingling down your spine.

I said nothing as my mind raced a million beats per minute, taking small steps backward.

“I wouldn’t run if I were you. My guards would simply catch you. Plus, you would get so far in the swamps.”

I swallowed my emotions down and glared at him.

“What?” he practically sang out. “You’re not happy to see me? I thought you would be, given you are out here alone. How did you get out here? Did dear old Dalton get tired of you so fast?”

He paused with an ornery expression, waiting for me to answer.

My fists balled up to my sides, and I braved a step towards him. “You killed Dannie!” My lips curled even after the words left my lips.

“Oh! Don’t you know by now that’s not the worst thing I could have done to her? Plus, you two aren’t my real targets, anyway.”

“Why?”

“I needed you out of Dalton’s grasp. She was going to impede that. Best she was temporarily lost than my cover being blown.”

“You knew she wouldn’t die?”

“I mean, she did die. If you mean if she would still exist or not… then yes, I knew she would go somewhere else.”

Go somewhere else?

“Who are you?”

A smirk rose from ear to ear as he leaned back. “You mean to tell me dear old Dalton still hasn’t told you? That was both very smart and very dumb of him.”

“What do you mean?”

“Smart because it keeps you out of harm’s way from his father, but dumb because it doesn’t protect you from me.” His father?

“Well… come sit. I’m feeling generous. What do you want to know? But really think about it. I will only answer one question, then it’s back to business.”

I didn’t hesitate as I rushed to the seat he pointed to and sat. I already knew the question I had wanted to know all along. “What is Dalton?”

He laughed. “It’s unfortunate how much you really don’t know. Here, I’ll pour you a drink, and please try to grasp what I am about to tell you.”

It was like he was enjoying my suffering, waiting for his answer. He took his time to pour me a drink and then himself one. Raising the glass in the air. “Cheers!... No?… ugh… ok. I guess I should tell you now. Dalton is a creator. And I’m feeling so kind I’ll give you one more piece of the puzzle. You are a key necessity for Dalton’s success as a creator.”

Creator?

I stared into his smirking eyes, cursing myself for feeling more confused than ever.

The drink in my hand slid down my throat in one anxious gulp. “I am a necessity. How?”

“Oh… you seem upset? Well, I hope you haven’t fallen in love with him. He needs your loyalty to do what he plans to do. You’re just a tool for him.” The man smirked, pouring me another glass.

“What does he plan to do?” I asked, pushing down all thoughts about my confusing emotions.

“tsk… tsk… tsk. I could tell you everything, but it’s much too fun to see you run around with your legs chopped off. I told you I would only answer one question. It’s not so good to talk about such bad things… it summons them.”

“But—” I tried to speak, but he raised his hand, silencing me. There was a glint in his eyes that told me I should be careful.

“I will tell you what. If you prove yourself loyal to me, I will tell you everything.”

“Loyal? Where is Dannie?” I asked, suddenly realizing he may have all the answers I needed. The problem was whether he would stretch the truth or tell me honestly.

He laughed. “I would have thought that would have been your question. Too bad it wasn’t.” He swirled the liquid in his drink. The liquid looked clear on the edges and caramel brown behind it. It danced in a circular motion, mimicking the fact that I had been so consumed in knowing the truth about Dalton that I had forgotten to ask about my friend.

“You have her?” I was already leaning forward, ready to pounce in any direction he said would lead toward her. My heart pounded like my 12th-grade crush had just asked me to prom.

The man scrunched his face like he ate something sour. He was enjoying having the upper hand. There was another knock, and he called the soldier in. The soldier stood like a statue, ensuring his eyes landed on no one. “Sir, the outsiders have been spotted.”

“Ah! It seems our conversation has attracted the right attention. You, my dear, are the perfect bait!” He stood and followed the soldier out of the office, calling behind him. “Wait here, dear! I need to deal with your ‘husband’.” He said, making a gesture with his fingers resembling bunny ears. “Make sure she stays in my office until I have returned.” Then he turned back to me, “Remember my offer about being loyal,” before leaving the room and locking the door. Their voices faded.