Covering his nose, Eldwin approached Kirk and looked past him. The golem lay in several pieces littered about the floor. Each one was evenly cut through as if with a blade. He felt a strong hand grab his shoulder and push him from the rubble. "Don't breathe it in." Kirk hissed. "It's giving off a cold aura, and it creeps me out that its necklace disappeared as soon it was dead."

Eldwin paused and turned his head toward him. He stared at the teen; he couldn't help but wonder why he was suddenly and what he had to do with the golem. "Are you alright, Mr. Anderson?" Mr. Del Mastro's voice came from behind him. Eldwin faced him and watched as Kirk raised his left arm. His sleeve slid nicely down, revealing a leather bracelet with a golden gem with a slight glow.

"I'm fine, though; I will need to speak to you about something later," Kirk answered. Eldwin cocked his head at his answer. So grown up and matter factly. Eldwin watched as the teacher nodded and looked away, and footsteps came running behind him. Five men in light blue shirts and black pants came running up to them. No doubt this was security coming to check on the situation.

The next several hours felt like they rushed by in a blur. One minute, they were surrounded by the cops, trying to figure out what happened. He and many others were questioned about the situation, but during the interviews, he noticed the teacher was up front telling them what he knew, while Kirk, on the other hand, stayed silent. The next thing he knew, he was on the bus, which pulled up in front of his house. Kirk had stayed quiet the whole trip home. He couldn't remember the last time Kirk had been so withdrawn.

Weariness pulled at his bones. He entered his house and heard his mother call to him from somewhere deeper within, perhaps from the kitchen. However, he could not make out a word she said. "I'm home, Mother." He called his mother, who appeared from the kitchen as he ascended the stairs. Her eyes were wide, almost fearful, yet she didn't respond, just pulling the hallway. His mother shook her head back into the kitchen.

Eldwin sighed as he trudged to his bedroom and collapsed on his bed. It was clear he had been overstimulated today. So many things spun in his head that it was hard to grasp and focus on. All he wanted was to sleep and hope the next day would bring relief. Staring at the ceiling, he watched as the sunlight changed into the purple hue of twilight. A thought nagged at the back of his mind as if the excitement from the day caused him to forget something.

Bolting upright, he glanced around the room. He was supposed to meet a bunch of boys at a pier. Hot liquid boiled in his stomach. He had to tell Terrence he had given it something, and he didn't want to be a part of his group anymore. He wanted nothing more than to leave. Jumping from his bed, he opened the door and crept down the stairwell. He heard voices coming from his living and peered inside. He saw his teacher sitting in the living room beside his mother with his hand on her knee. 

Eldwin shuddered. He wanted to yell at them and ask them what was going on, but he couldn't. If he showed up late, the gang could come after him, and there's no telling what kind of trouble he'll get in at that point. Sucking in a deep breath, he snuck out the door and closed it quietly behind him. He would have to address the situation. Jumping down the stairs, he raced through the driveway to the sidewalk.

A light came from his front door. He hid behind a tree and watched as the teacher stood in the doorway and looked around. He was searching for something, but he couldn't tell what. His teacher closed the door without a word, shrouding him in darkness again. Eldwin sighed in relief. "I'm on it. Stop worrying." He heard a voice coming from the right. He glanced over and watched Kirk walk toward him with one hand shoved into his jacket and the other holding a cell phone up to his ear.

"Bye, Dad. I told ya my practice won't take long." With that, he watched Kirk hang up and shoved the phone back into his pocket before wandering past him. Eldiwn kept an eye on him and watched Kirk keep his eye on the tree where he was hiding before speeding up and continuing. Eldwin's heart thumped against his chest. So many weird things were happening that he didn't like. There is no telling how much of this was connected. 

 Sucking in a deep breath, he hurried after Kirk and followed him through several streets and alleys until they arrived at the meeting place. He watched Kirk sit at one of the wooden stumps, keeping the dock in place. He ventured into the cluster of teenage boys and watched Kirk pick up a piece of driftwood, make a knife materialize in his hand, and begin widdling at the piece. 

Eldwin opened his mouth to speak when strong arms wrapped around his shoulders. "Eddie," a chill shot up his spine. He turned and stared into Terrence's grinning face. A faint scent of alcohol wafted from his mouth, causing Eldwin to take a step back. "You're finally here." Eldwin gritted his teeth. He fought everything within himself to hit Terrence. Terrence was the type of guy who wanted to get in trouble and cause some cause issues. Kirk only bullied him for some unforeseen reason. Treence and his friends got everyone else. 

"Now that we're all gathered together!" Terrence shouted as he spun around to address the gathering. "I have found the perfect place to take advantage of." Eldwin scoated back and watched as a smirk pulled at his lips. He balled his hands into fists. He had to speak up and do something, yet All he could do was think of himself.

"I'm out."

"What?" Terrence snapped as he faced him.

"I may have been okay with joining the group several years ago, but that was when I was new to town and wanting friends." Terrence narrowed his eyes as Eldwin spoke. Eldwin ground his teeth against each other. "Now that you are getting into alcohol and now robbing people." Eldwin sucked in a deep breath as he stared into Terrence's blue eyes. "I refuse to be a part of this group.

 Movement from behind told him the other members were coming up behind him. Water lapped against his shoes as he backed up, soaking his socks. The thought of using the water to push back his foes flashed across his mind once more. Stronger than it had been the day prior. He gritted his teeth. He didn't know why he thought of weaponizing water; all he knew was that it was impossible. He shook his head, removing the thought. "I promise I will not tell anyone about what you are planning. I don't even know where you're attacking."

"Here's the thing," Terrence growled. Eldwin stepped backward and pushed his back into a wooden stud. "Once you're a member of the Breaken Tide, the only way out is to be murdered by our designated killer." As Terrence spoke, a cold, sharp blade snaked around Eldwin's throat and pressed against his neck. The blade dug into his skin, causing him to wince. He felt the cold liquid of blood roll down his neck. 

"Don't move." Kirk hissed in his ear. Sweat began beading up on Eldwin's forehead. Fear welled up within him. He had never dreamed it would come to this. The waves around him moved back, splashing around them harder with what felt like every beat. "Control you're breathing," Kirk growled so low he could barely make out the words. Eldwin looked at him from the corner of his eye. Kirk's cold, stern gaze met what he thought was his scared gaze. 

Kirk narrowed his eyes as Eldwin sucked in a deep breath and released it. He felt his lungs burn as the pressure from the knife let up. Eldwin dug his nails into his hands, fighting back the pain. He had to save crying for later, but not now. Not in front of Terrence or the Breaken Tide. The water around them calmed down and returned to its peaceful motion. Terrence crossed his arms, refusing to break eye contact. "Still keen on leaving?"

Eldwin closed his eyes, imagining a calm, peaceful ocean. He opened his eyes and gazed into his. "I was a fool. I would be honored to help you on whatever you wish." He felt the blade move from his knife completely as Terrence nodded. Eldwin grabbed his throat and dropped to his knees. Blood oozed between his fingers as he coughed. Someone dropped beside him and placed a cloth against his neck. 

"It's not very deep. You'll be fine." Kirk grumbled. Eldwin looked at his bully with his eyes wide. Kirk looked down at his wound before rising to his feet. Terrence pushed past Kirk to address the rest of the Breaking Tide members. Eldwin held it in place and turned his head. He watched as Terrence came to a stop, picked up a half-empty green liquor bottle, and took a swig from the neck. 

 "I have been scouting out the Old McKenny place down on Vine Street and believe the item we are being paid to grab is somewhere in the house. So we'll go there tonight and see if we can find the amulet of Azeal." Eldwin faced Kirk, looking for an answer. Kirk just crossed his arms. His bracelet glowed as his knife passed over the gem and disappeared. Eldwin opened his mouth to speak when Kirk stepped past him.

"When do we head out?"