The Anchor

The docks were chaos. Ambulances. News crews.

The *Gilded Osprey* was towed in, a wreck. Mr. Sterling stood on the pier, his face purple with rage.

As Isla brought the *Barnacle* in with the rescued tourists, the crowd cheered.

Leo jumped onto the dock. He helped Isla tie up.

Mr. Sterling stormed over. "You idiot! You destroyed the boat! You threw away the race! For *her*?"

Leo stood up straight. He wiped the blood from his forehead. He didn't look down this time. He looked his father in the eye.

"Yeah," Leo said. "I did. And I’d do it again."

"You are a disgrace to this family," Sterling spat. "You ship out tomorrow. The Navy will straighten you out."

"I'm not going," Leo said calmly.

The Admiral froze. "Excuse me?"

"I deferred my enlistment," Leo said. "I called the recruiter this morning from the boat. I told him I broke my leg. It’ll take a year to heal."

"You... you lied?"

"I chose," Leo corrected. "I’m taking a gap year. I’m going to stay here. I’m going to learn how to fix the boat I broke. And I’m going to figure out who I am when I’m not being you."

Sterling stared at his son. He looked at the wrecked yacht. He looked at the defiant, grease-stained boy. He realized, finally, that he had lost.

He turned and walked away to his limousine.

The crowd dispersed. The rain slowed to a drizzle.

Isla stood by the *Barnacle*, her arms wrapped around herself.

Leo turned to her.

"You stayed," she whispered.

"The sea dragged me back," Leo grinned, stepping closer. "Just like Mrs. Gable said. I couldn't fight the Tether."

"You wrecked your dad's yacht."

"I saved the girl," Leo shrugged. "Seems like a fair trade."

He reached out.

Isla didn't pull away. She reached out too.

Their fingertips touched.

*SNAP.*

The static shock was softer this time, but it was there. A warm, humming vibration that felt like coming home.

"Still there," Leo murmured.

"Yeah," Isla smiled, grabbing his shirt and pulling him in. "I guess I’m stuck with you."

"Poor you," Leo laughed, and kissed her.

The shop lights inside Vance Marine flickered once, acknowledging the connection, and then burned steady and bright against the storm.