Luke grew up on the island. He was timid, always the conservative one, very careful, son of a fishing family. His brother, Max, was the wild one – fearless and charismatic. Together, they'd sail into storms, laughing. Max would always take Luke to a cave and tell him wild stories of how some campers were killed by bears.
At 22, Max drowned in a fishing accident. Luke, 20, was devastated. He blamed himself for the death of Max, abandoning the sea for years.
Luke's parents drifted apart, lost in grief his parents' divorce, His mom, grief-stricken, left the island, chasing a fresh start. His dad, a shell of himself, drowned his sorrows in booze.
Luke became the man of the house, caring for his younger sister, Mia. He put school on hold, working odd jobs to keep the family afloat. He resented his mom for leaving; his dad for giving up, He bottled emotions, fearing vulnerability, Responsibility crushed him; he craved freedom.
He threw himself into work, becoming a guide to distract himself. He became a master of the waves and a fearless hunter.
Luke idolized Max. He was the fearless one, always chasing thrills. Max taught Luke to sail, dive, and face fears. He was the sun – bright, chaotic, and magnetic. Luke saw Max as invincible; his death shattered that Max's laughter echoed in Luke's mind – a haunting reminder.
He inherited Max's love for the sea and bravery for hunting, but not his recklessness.
Luke felt he lived in Max's shadow – pressure to measure up, He struggled to reconcile Max's wildness with his own caution, Max's death made Luke question his own worth.
Every day before he went to work, he would visit max grave, pouring his grief. He would relieve the experience of what happened the night Max died.
When Luke and Max, 22 and 20, sailed into a brewing storm. Max laughed, "Come on, little bro! Trust the waves!" Luke hesitated, but Max's grin won him over. As winds howled, Luke panicked. Max shouted, "Hold on!" The boat capsized. Luke surfaced, gasping, he hesistated and went off to shore, and Max was gone.
Luke replayed that moment every time he visited his grave– why didn't he act faster? Max's voice echoed: "You got this, Lukey!" He vowed to never let fear win again.
A tourist's gratitude sparked a change. She'd lost her husband at sea; Luke knew her pain. He started guiding tours again, using his story to help others face their fears.
Luke was beginning to see a reason to live once more, but he was still drawn from love. He was hardened until he met Alex.
Luke is beginning to understand that life could throw him off balance, but how he chose to get out of it is what's most importance, his experience is helping him understand that he is not alone.
The responsibility of having to take care of Mia and Alex is brewing him to be the man that everyone has to turn to no matter the pain he is going through in silence.
From searching the coast, hoping Max would wash ashore. Nights were filled with nightmares – the crash, the silence.
His grief consumed him until he met a tourist, Sarah, who'd lost her husband at sea. She saw the pain in him; he saw it in her. She asked him to take her sailing – he refused, but she persisted. As they talked, Luke realized he wasn't alone in pain. He started guiding tours again, using his story to help others face their fears.
Luke is beginning to confront his guilt, slowly forgiving himself, reconnecting with Mia, and seeing her pain mirrored his. His bond with Alex deepened – they understood loss.
Luke tells Alex about his sister Mia, who has been away with his dad for years, though he opened up about taking care of her from afar but because of the guilt and pressure he thought it is best he let her stay with his dad, so she could help him out with shores. Alex pauses and looks at Luke, she told him, won't it be wise she come stay with us, she is still young and I would need a friend, she opened up on going back home to check on her mom, since it has been weeks she spoke to her. Luke agrees to bring Mia over to the house while he continues showing Alex the town.
Luke wild awake staring at Alex while she sleeps, he touches her hair and smiles, Alex grins, staring at Luke, he gets up from the bed, puts on his shirt and said "I am going to get Mia, I hope you'll be here when I am back. Alex smiles at him, she is full of life.
Luke leaves the house. Alex gets up from the bed, she touches her dad's watch, this time smiling and putting it on. She gets the house ready immediately, oh snap she said "I need to make something for Mia"
She steps out of the house and goes to the farm market to get some vegetables.
Luke gets to his dad's house. He is seated outside drowned in booze, he looks at him and goes into the house, he says "Mia where are you" Mia responded "I am in here" Luke goes into Mia room, he hugs her, and tells her "Pack your things we are leaving " Mia shows so much excitement, she grabs her thinks quickly and exit the door, suddenly she stopped, what about dad she said, Luke responded he will be fine, we will get through this together as a family, and there are few friends i would like you to meet. Mia exits with excitement.
Alex is back from the farm market, making veges and broth, she hears the door opens, Mia comes in with Luke. Alex smiles at Mia, how are you Mia, I am Alex, Mia smiles back at Alex, nice to meet you, you are beautiful. Mia goes to hug Alex.
Broth will be ready soon, and there is plenty of time to tell you much about myself. I am sorry for your loss Mia says, Alex tries to control her emotions, it is fine, I would get through it, I am also sorry for your loss.
Luke doesn't say a word, he smacks his lips and smile at Alex and Mia.
CHAPTER END.