water dripped from the crags in the rock, splashing softly into the lagoon. the sky was bleak, overcast and dark. it was eerie just to be outside, the silence deafening. not many people were out and about at this hour. louis sat on a boulder, the grayish pale sand disheveled around his feet. he didn't want to go back to the estate yet. he liked being up on land. the air felt good on his skin. it calmed him down. and he knew he wasn't really supposed to come up without permission, but henri had always encouraged him to quit being a people-pleaser.

louis jumped as a seagull screeched, hastily diving into the water. he buried himself in the sand, his pinkish hair floating around his head as he peeked back up above the water. he sighed faintly as he resurfaced, embarrassed. it wasn't uncommon for him to be frightened so randomly, but it embarrassed him whether or not other people saw. it felt even more demeaning when he knew he was alone.