As the storm grew closer, Ayo made his way back to the small cottage he shared with his father. The old man was already inside, securing the windows and muttering about the storm. When he saw Ayo, he frowned.
“Where have you been, boy? The storm’s almost here,” his father said gruffly.
“I was just thinking,” Ayo replied, avoiding his father’s gaze.
His father paused, sensing something in his son’s voice. “Thinking about what?”
Ayo took a deep breath. “About leaving the village. About finding a life away from here.”
The old man’s face darkened. “You want to abandon your home? Your family? The sea is in your blood, Ayo. You can’t just walk away from it.”
Ayo clenched his fists. “The sea took Mom. It’s taken so much from all of us. I don’t want to end up like the others, lost to the waves.”
His father’s expression softened for a moment, but then he shook his head. “We all have our place in this world, Ayo. The sea is dangerous, but it’s also our lifeblood. Without it, we have nothing.”
Ayo wanted to argue, but before he could speak, the storm hit. The wind howled outside, and the cottage shook with the force of the gale. The old man’s eyes narrowed as he listened to the fury of the storm.
“Help me secure the boat,” his father said, grabbing his coat.
Ayo hesitated. He didn’t want to go out into the storm, but he couldn’t refuse his father. Together, they made their way to the beach, fighting against the wind and rain. The sea was a churning mass of dark water, and the waves crashed against the shore with terrifying power.
As they reached the boat, Ayo’s father slipped on the wet rocks and fell. Ayo rushed to his side, helping him up. The old man grimaced in pain, clutching his leg.
“I’m fine,” his father insisted, but Ayo could see that he wasn’t.
For a moment, Ayo stood frozen, torn between his fear of the sea and his need to protect his father. The waves were growing larger, and the boat was being battered by the storm. If they didn’t act quickly, it would be lost.
Ayo took a deep breath, pushing his fear aside. “I’ll take care of the boat. You go back to the cottage.”
His father looked at him in surprise. “You can’t handle this on your own, Ayo.”
“I have to,” Ayo replied, determination in his voice. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
Reluctantly, his father nodded and limped back towards the cottage, leaving Ayo alone on the beach. The wind and rain lashed at him, but he ignored it. He grabbed the ropes and began securing the boat, using all the strength he had. The waves crashed against him, soaking him to the bone, but he didn’t stop. He was fighting not just the storm, but the fear that had haunted him for years.
