Demons
When you feel my heat Look into my eyes It's where my demons hide It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close It's dark inside It's where my demons hide It's where my demons hide ~ Imagine Dragons
He'd lied, it wasn't the first time, it wouldn't be the last. His lies were as innumerable as the scars on his body. It wasn't much of a lie, and surely if Jewell knew the truth behind it she'd understand. She'd spoken of the beach though, and part of him had hoped she really wanted to do that. The rest of him knew that it shouldn't happen. It was where he could be tracked to if any were trying to do so, once there however things would be all but impossible.
Clothes in the sand were all that was left of Kruger, they lay where he'd left them before striding towards the waves and the water. One more thing that was something he refused to talk about with anyone. He swam beyond sight of the shore, it had been a long time since he'd made the attempt. The sailors knew the island he swam towards. Fishermen avoided the place. It wasn't dangerous, but an island full of seals meant the waters nearby were well fished already by the creatures.
The first of them circled him when the place was still far from him. The large male took several turns before rocketing off towards the island ahead of the smith. Kruger pressed onward, pulling the water with cupped hands and breathing rhythmically. The lighthouse far distant didn't give him enough light to see the group of seals slip into the waves. It wouldn't take long for the knowledge to come, there were five of them, four more large males in with grey and black hides. Spots ghosted across their fur and for some reason he felt like it meant something. There was a fifth as well, a pale female swimming fast though she was always somewhere in between the others.
The first and largest of the males dove deep then rose beneath Kruger, slamming his body hard and swimming away. Kruger paused only a moment before continuing on his course towards the island. The strikes came more rapidly now, the smith knew when the remaining males lined up before him that he would be allowed no closer. He stopped his swim and moved to tread water. He didn't feel the chill of the water like most might. It was a sensation that only went skin deep on him. His foot kicked and sand struck his toes, so the smith stopped trying to stay afloat and stood. He could barely touch, but the purchase was enough for him to bob with the waves and talk as he needed.
"Closer" just a little" enough to stand please.? He spoke just loud enough to be heard by the animals that were now swimming circles around him. Silence met his ears for the space of several heart beats, then there was a squelching bark from the pale seal. Kruger stepped forward, the waterline dropping on his body rapidly. He pushed for as much as they would allow, moving far enough towards shore that his naked torso was fully revealed. The ebbing waves revealed naked hips as well, he could see the dark shapes moving on the island, hear their barks of alarm and outrage for his presence. It was clear that he had reached the end of the seals benevolence.
A touch on his shoulder forced a flinch out of him, the hand was wet, wrinkled and far too human. The shadows near him had changed, four men tall stood in the water close enough to stop him if he tried to make a run for the island but far enough away to afford him some privacy with the half-naked woman that had touched his shoulder.
When you feel my heat Look into my eyes It's where my demons hide It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close It's dark inside It's where my demons hide It's where my demons hide ~ Imagine Dragons
He'd lied, it wasn't the first time, it wouldn't be the last. His lies were as innumerable as the scars on his body. It wasn't much of a lie, and surely if Jewell knew the truth behind it she'd understand. She'd spoken of the beach though, and part of him had hoped she really wanted to do that. The rest of him knew that it shouldn't happen. It was where he could be tracked to if any were trying to do so, once there however things would be all but impossible.
Clothes in the sand were all that was left of Kruger, they lay where he'd left them before striding towards the waves and the water. One more thing that was something he refused to talk about with anyone. He swam beyond sight of the shore, it had been a long time since he'd made the attempt. The sailors knew the island he swam towards. Fishermen avoided the place. It wasn't dangerous, but an island full of seals meant the waters nearby were well fished already by the creatures.
The first of them circled him when the place was still far from him. The large male took several turns before rocketing off towards the island ahead of the smith. Kruger pressed onward, pulling the water with cupped hands and breathing rhythmically. The lighthouse far distant didn't give him enough light to see the group of seals slip into the waves. It wouldn't take long for the knowledge to come, there were five of them, four more large males in with grey and black hides. Spots ghosted across their fur and for some reason he felt like it meant something. There was a fifth as well, a pale female swimming fast though she was always somewhere in between the others.
The first and largest of the males dove deep then rose beneath Kruger, slamming his body hard and swimming away. Kruger paused only a moment before continuing on his course towards the island. The strikes came more rapidly now, the smith knew when the remaining males lined up before him that he would be allowed no closer. He stopped his swim and moved to tread water. He didn't feel the chill of the water like most might. It was a sensation that only went skin deep on him. His foot kicked and sand struck his toes, so the smith stopped trying to stay afloat and stood. He could barely touch, but the purchase was enough for him to bob with the waves and talk as he needed.
"Closer" just a little" enough to stand please.? He spoke just loud enough to be heard by the animals that were now swimming circles around him. Silence met his ears for the space of several heart beats, then there was a squelching bark from the pale seal. Kruger stepped forward, the waterline dropping on his body rapidly. He pushed for as much as they would allow, moving far enough towards shore that his naked torso was fully revealed. The ebbing waves revealed naked hips as well, he could see the dark shapes moving on the island, hear their barks of alarm and outrage for his presence. It was clear that he had reached the end of the seals benevolence.
A touch on his shoulder forced a flinch out of him, the hand was wet, wrinkled and far too human. The shadows near him had changed, four men tall stood in the water close enough to stop him if he tried to make a run for the island but far enough away to afford him some privacy with the half-naked woman that had touched his shoulder.