Page 17 of The Sea Witch's Son

The thought puts a smile on my face as I enter the conference room. It’s a simple office space, saved primarily for the varsity swim team. It seems ludicrous to me why the school would designate a team space for an individual sport, though I supposeit has something to do with the romanticized notion of team bonding.

How ghastly.

The benefits of the pre-season team meeting is I get the opportunity to assess the rookies in the flesh. All of their strengths and weaknesses are listed in my report, of course, but no amount of research can determine a person’s loyalty.

Or their ability to obey orders.

“Hello, boys.”

I’m twenty minutes late, but no one says a word as I walk to the front of the room. Sebastian, my second-in-command, steps up and passes me a sheet of names.

I’ve already memorized the four rookies on the roster this year, but I cast my eyes down, feigning interest and introducing the new swimmers to the team.

“Adrian, Jalen, Samson and Finley. I am pleased to welcome you to the team.”

Painful awkwardness and overbearing egos intermingle in the most disgusting of combinations, making the rookies stand in a spotlight they have no desire or worth to be in. The only one who stands apart from the cluster is Finley, who seems to have befriended quite a few of the older swimmers already.

Interesting.

I took great pleasure in interrupting his conversation with Melody earlier, though perhaps there was more to the interaction than I originally thought.

“As we all know, time trials will be held over the next two weeks and these times will be used as entry seeds for the first meet of the year. Ensure you only participate in the events you wish to compete in, for it is a waste of time to do so otherwise.”

I drone on, discussing mundane affairs that should already be known. The most interesting aspect of this meeting has yet to come, and I pay particular attention to Finley when it does.

Sebastian steps forward, clearing his throat, “The rookie party has been cancelled due to the grievances filed after last year’s incident.”

Snickers fill the room and my lips pull into a smile. Most of the rookies look relieved, except for Finley. He stares at me, suspicion and mistrust glinting in his eyes.

“Marlin has taken it upon himself to orchestrate a new initiation for the rookies, a test that will determine whether your loyalty lies with the team or elsewhere.” Sebastian pauses, his thick Jamaican accent floating through the room, “Those who fail will be removed from the team. By force or by choice.”

The relief splayed over youthful faces now lies in a puddle at their feet. I chuckle, thoroughly enjoying my position as team captain for the first time.

“To keep it fair, Marlin will choose tests catered for each person. They will be of the same equilibrium of difficulty, within the same time frame. Results will be known… well, once the rookies start showing up to time trials or not.”

“You trustSeabornto evaluate us fairly?” Jalen scoffs, shaking his head, “Get the fuck out of here.”

Sebastian chuckles, casting a glance my way, “It would seem we already have our first challenge, Captain.”

“Indeed.” I gesture for the rookie to approach, “What was your name again?”

“Jalen Samuel.”

“Jalen Samuel.” The name bleeds over my tongue like a fresh cut of meat, “It would seem there’s some unresolved feelings surrounding my ability to gauge your loyalty. Care to share with the team why that is?”

His cheeks flush, “I have nothing to say.”

I sigh heavily, “If this has to do with the incident… well, let me assure you that it is all behind us. In fact, we can use last year’s misfortune as this year’s resolution.”

Uneasy murmurs ripple across the room.

“Moving forward, the rookie challenges will not be shared with the group. However, given Jalen’s feelings of mistrust, I find it only fair to share this first one with the team to ensure no trickery or misdeeds befall him.”

I pause to give Jalen my most comforting smile.

“Mr. Samuel will be tasked with retrieving Delta’s eyeball from the bottom of my mother’s eel tank.”

Jalen pales, “What?”

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