Elias raised a brow. “And no one thinks to look again?” The bartender’s eyes shifted. “We did. Found his boat. Found the chain, same as you. But a man missing two nights out there? He’s not missing anymore. The sea doesn’t give back what it takes.”
Elias scoffed quietly, pushing his glass aside. “You all make it sound like the ocean’s alive.” “Maybe it is,” the bartender said. Then, softer, “And maybe it’s best to leave it alone.” But Elias couldn’t.