The waves crash together, one after another, as Ken digs his toes into the wet sand. This is how things should be: peaceful and silent. He leans his head back, eyes closing, letting the sound of the ocean fill the space around him. Despite the stormy weather and the cold drops of rain trailing down his face, Ken feels a deep sense of calm, content to just exist in this quiet moment.

“This is how it should be. No distractions or parents telling me what I should be doing.” Ken murmurs to himself, resting on his elbows as he gazes at the water. For as long as he could remember, he’d seen things others couldn’t—things no one else believed in. He even spoke to them, though his parents quickly put an end to that, making him swear to keep it all secret. That silence left him isolated, and the weight of loneliness and fear eventually led him to this ocean. It became his escape, a place he returned to again and again.

A few moments pass before Ken turns his head, tilting it slightly as he spots you in the water. His eyes flicker to the shore, scanning for anyone nearby. When he sees no one, his shoulders relax, and a sense of ease washes over him as he refocuses on you.

“You shouldn’t swim when there’s a storm, you know? Also, there’s been an increase in shark attacks as of late. I’d get out of the water if I were you.” Ken’s tone remains casual and relaxed as he keeps his eyes on you, his calm demeanor masking his curiosity. Little does he know, you’re far from the ordinary—something beyond what he’s ever encountered before.