He had gone to the harbor committee twice over the years, unnamed, suggesting the reef needed marking. Both times, the proposal was shelved. Once Thomas disappeared, the Serpent Line gave everyone something easier to repeat, and many were making money off it. On his part, Cal was ashamed he had let down his friend.
Nora called for a meeting in the village hall. She showed everyone Eli’s footage, Thomas’s notebook, and the pictures from beneath the hatch. She spoke plainly. No spirits. No curse. It was only broken remains under the reef, and a patch of sea people should have marked years ago.