Chapter 62 Mother of Squids
629words
Unfortunately, Saturday, all the stillness of the week came crashing down on me like a truck of bricks.
"Mom, what do you mean you guys are going out to sea again?"
Mom was in the kitchen with Lachlan and Harris, packing two large duffel bags with equipment and snacks. They managed to acquire a sponsor for their outlandish escapades in the deep.
This time, they were taking diving equipment.
"Don't worry, love, we know what we are doing," Mom smiled, forcing in a pack of licorice in between the equipment.
"That's what you said last time," I pointed out. "And we almost ended up dead."
"You don't know that," Mom continued. "I'm telling you now. It wasn't luck that you ended up washed out on that beach."
"Mom, not this again."
"They're out there, Carly, and I'm going to find them."
"It's not worth the money, Mom. I don't want to lose you over some crazy sea creature."
Mom sighed, releasing the side of the duffle bag. "Love, I promise you I will be safe. You won't lose me, okay?"
"Mom—"
A large hand rested on my shoulder. It was Harris. "I will make sure your mom comes back in one piece, all right?"
"You can't—" but Mom had already turned into the hallway. I sighed, glancing at Lachlan. "You need to stop this. This is insane."
"You know she won't listen to me," he shrugged. "Besides, we are sitting on a gold mine here, and hell knows I need the dough."
I had to do something.
Dad wasn't an option, as he was out of town on another ghost hunt run.
"Tell my mom I'm going over to Ember's," I called over my shoulder as I darted outside.
I found Hector sitting on the porch with a dove on his lap, feeding the bird with a plastic dropper.
His thick, white brows shot up when he saw me. "Looks like trouble found you again."
"Yes," I sighed. "Is Kayn here?"
Hector eyed me for a moment. "He is, but I doubt he wants to see you."
"Oookay," I breathed. "Look, this is not the time for him to be full-on with moods. I need help, urgently."
"We can't involve ourselves with your problems any more than we've already had. Whatever it is, I'm sure you can sort it out yourself."
"My mom and her crew are going out on another cryptid hunt. In the ocean," I blurted. "She's got new equipment, and yeah, they're diving in this time."
"Holy mother of squids." Hector got up onto his feet and barked, "Kayn, get your ass out here!"
Hector turned, placing the dove into a woven basket by the foot of the chair. Not a moment later, the front door flung open, and Kayn stepped out, looking like he rolled straight out of bed.
When he spotted me standing at the foot of the porch, his frame stiffened. "What now?"
"We need to stop this girl's mother from having another clash with the Kraken. They've got diving gear this time."
Kayn released a long groan. "She doesn't learn, does she?"
"Unfortunately, no," I admitted.
"Have you tried talking her out of it?" Hector asked.
"Of course, I tried. Ask Kayn. She doesn't listen."
Kayn glanced at his grandpa. "She really doesn't."
"I hope for her sake that equipment didn't come out of her pocket because it's going to be an expensive loss," Hector advised.
"I don't care," I insisted. "As long as she doesn't get herself and the crew killed."
