teeth

[sharkemoji]

 

Rowing out to the island in the middle of the lake was a mistake, objectively.

Yangyang, however, thinks making mistakes is a fun past time, so he rows and rows and rows until he can’t see the land he left. His arms ache just a little and his shoulders are sore but he persists. On the horizon, the island appears.

Legend has it the island in the middle of the lake is haunted. They say that anyone who reaches it never returns. The rumors say there’s a being on the beach that will tear your heart out before you can get too close.

Yangyang paddles as close to shore as he can before he hops out of his kayak. The water goes up to his mid calf and he waded up to shore, dragging his boat. He abandons it in the sand and looks up at the island and grins.

The trees almost seem to part for him as he walks into the forest. Brush moves out of his way as he makes his way down the path through the woods. He only vaguely knows where he is going but the trees seem to think he is familiar and grant him a safe passage. He makes note to thank them later.

The forest opens into a clearing. A cottage stands in the center of it. As Yangyang approaches the door opens for him. He steps inside, sure and confident.

His shoes fit perfectly by the door, as he toes them off and lines them up with the rest of them. They’re soggy and wet but by the time he is ready to leave they will be wearable again.

“You’re back,” a voice says from further inside. The giddy feeling grows in his stomach.

“You asked me to,” he replies, venturing further into the cottage. From the outside it looks so small but the inside is a labyrinth of hallways and doors leading anywhere or no where. He shivers as the house guides him to the owner.

“Silly boy,” the voices replies. “You should know better than to do things simply because I ask.”

“Maybe I wanted to come back,” he says, finally opening the door. Kun is sitting on the other side, their books open in front of them as they lounge on the couch. “Maybe I wanted to see you.”

“Yangyang,” they said, beckoning. He moves in, huddles close. “You came all the way out here by yourself? What about the island creature? The ghosts? Don’t you know it’s not safe?”

A grin creeps over Kun’s face as they talk. Yangyang draws himself in and makes himself comfortable beside them. Drapes his body over them, hangs their arms around him.

“I’m not afraid,” he says.

“So brave,” Kun sighs, petting his head. “My brave little island monster.”

He grins wide and too many teeth.