Aleila shoved the rubble aside. The shattered blue doors made her heart sink. It was gone. All of it. The hurricane had destroyed nearly everything, and it was her fault.

It was Aleila’s job to keep the ocean at bay, and she had failed.

Percy was still following her around like a puppy who was lost. She was mad at him, and she hated that. It wasn’t his fault, she was the one who’d accepted.

The Nèréds would be mad.

She would lose her position, and then she would have to leave.

Fate would determine what could go wrong.

Destiny would determine what could go right.

And truth would sit silently in the corner, knowing what would happen.

“Aleila!” Percy yelled behind her. She turned tears in her eyes.

“Aleila what’s going on?” He said. She just turned, knowing she couldn’t tell him.

“Please go, Percy.”

She hugged herself with her arms. “Listen, I have lifeguard training in a minute. Where do you want me to meet you?”

Aleila turned angrily. “I don’t-“ she stopped short when she saw his face.

After a moment's silence, she said “The beach, 8:00 pm. Don’t be late if you want to know the truth.”

Percy nodded determinedly.

He walked over and hugged her. “You’re not alone Alei, you have people who love you. You need to talk.” He released her from the hug and kissed her on the forehead before leaving.