Chapter 7 - The Mechanic’s Trade
Liam’s reputation at the docks grew quietly. He was the man who could fix anything that had a motor, a man of few words who worked twice as hard as anyone else.
His boss, a gruff old fisherman named Mateo, handed him an envelope of cash at the end of a long week.
"You have a gift, Arthur," Mateo grunted, wiping sweat from his brow. "That engine was dead. You brought it back."
"I just listened to it," Liam replied, pocketing the money.
"You're running from something," Mateo stated bluntly. It wasn't a question.
Liam froze, his eyes narrowing.
Mateo held up a hand.
"I don't care what it is. Half the men on these docks are outrunning a ghost. But whatever it is, don't bring it to my harbor."
"I left my ghosts behind, Mateo," Liam said, his voice carrying a deadly, absolute certainty.
May you like
"See that you keep it that way," Mateo nodded, turning back to his nets.
Liam walked home that evening, the weight of the envelope comforting in his pocket. He was building a wall, brick by brick, between his daughter and the darkness.
