Page 3 of Drenched

As I walked, Sebastian fell in beside me, reaching for my bag. “You don't have to, “ I started.

“I insist,” he replied with a kind smile, taking the bag from me and hanging it over his shoulder. “Lead researchers shouldn't carry their bags.”

“Well... thanks,” I mumbled, feeling a tad bit awkward.

“Not every day we get visitors like you,” he said. “Ones who actually listen? Even rarer.” There was something genuine in his voice that made me look at him closely.

“Listening seemed smart,” I said, giving him a smile.

He chuckled. “Smart, maybe. But most people don't bother.”

The way he said it, like being ignored was normal. I nodded, unsure what to say. Sebastian couldn't be more than twenty-three or twenty-four, but he carried this quiet confidence. Not cocky, just steady.

“You're different from the others,” he said, glancing sideways.

“Different, how?”

His smile was faint but genuine. “You actually seem to care.”

The compliment caught me off guard. My cheeks warmed. “Just don’t want to get kicked out before we start.”

He laughed. “Good plan. Sarkivik doesn’t do second chances.”

We trudged across the sand until we stopped in front of a weathered building. The sign above the door swayed in the wind, its paint chipped and faded. Sarkivik Inn. The place was two stories, with narrow windows glowing faintly in the dark. The wooden walls looked solid enough, but years of storms had left their mark.

Sebastian pushed the door open, and the scent of old wood and sea salt greeted us. Inside, the lobby was small and dim, with a worn rug and a desk cluttered with papers.

He grabbed a set of keys from behind the counter and turned to us. “Your rooms are down that hall.” He handed me a key marked 1A. “This one’s yours. They’re not fancy, but the heaters work.”

Kim and Jaime shuffled in behind me, their boots thudding on the creaky floorboards.

Jaime eyed the hallway. “Well,” he said, trying for optimism, “at least it’s dry.”

Kim snorted. “Barely.”

I smirked, but exhaustion tugged at me. “Dry’s good enough.”

Jonathan’s voice came from behind me, dripping with sarcasm. “Great. Now we’re staying in a haunted shack.”

I clenched the key in my hand, ignoring him. “Let’s just get some sleep.”

Sebastian smirked but stayed quiet. He handed back my bag, his fingers brushing mine. “This one’s yours,” he murmured, nodding to the nearest cabin. “Not fancy, but you’ll stay warm.”

“Thanks.” The word felt heavier than it should have.

His dark eyes lingered on mine for a beat too long before he stepped back. “See you around, Pearl.” The way he said my name made something twist in my gut.

Jonathan noticed, his gaze darting between us. “You know,” he muttered, his tone dripping with implication, “Kim and Jaime are definitely fucking tonight. Maybe you want company too.”

Disgust curled through me. “Pass.” I turned on my heel and headed for the cabin.

He trailed after me, too close, trying to coax me. “C’mon, Pearl. Don’t be uptight. I can rock your world. Make this boring research trip exciting.”

I didn't answer. I Just went inside, slammed the door, and clicked the lock. Leaning against it, I let out a shaky breath.

His voice carried through the thin walls. “You'll come around, Pearl. You'll see. I know how to make this fun.”

“Not in this lifetime,” I muttered.

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