Eight

                                    

                                          
⚠️⚠️TW: BLOOD/MENTIONS OF DEATH (NOT TOO BAD BUT BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY) SKIP CHAPTER IF NOT COMFORTABLE.⚠️⚠️
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Luca and Alberto were in charge of getting all the sea monsters they possibly could out of the water. They dashed to the port and plunged into the sea. The two would have to swim back to the island and back to where Luca lives.
"Let's get back to the island." Said Alberto. "We'll get back to the shore where we first met. You live around there, right?"
"Well, yeah. It only took a few twists and turns to get me to the shore, but it'll be easy to find my way to my parents."
The indigo-colored sea monster increased his speed to the island, only for his best friend to catch up to him on the land a few seconds later. They ran past Alberto's tower, with Alberto the first one to dive into the water from the shore that leads Luca home. He had a momentum going on, heading his way there, but stopped to notice that Luca wasn't with him. He turned back to the shore to see Luca standing there, with fear. He refused to go in. Alberto popped his head to the surface.
"Luca, come on." Alberto motioned.
"I can't. I can't do it." Luca replied.
"Why?" 
"My parents. They're not gonna let me see the light of day again after all this...after what we tell them..."
"Luca," Alberto sighed, calmly. "Listen, once we get the sea monsters outta there and go over the plan, she'll know what you and us are doing! Y'know, to save your family! We're gonna be heroes!" Alberto proudly said. "We're gonna save our people!"
Luca looked into Alberto's emotion at that moment, 'He looked so brave,' he thought, 'He's fearless despite that he's in danger as well, just like me. I didn't know persevering in this case could be possible...I like this about him...do I trust him for this?'
"Luca? Hello? Earth to Luca?" Alberto waved his hand across Luca's face. He was accidentally staring off into space.
"Oh!" He snapped back to reality. "S-sorry. Silenzio Bruno, right?" Luca nervously smiled.
"Yeah! That's the spirit! Now andiamo, we might not have that much time. Let's get everyone outta there as quick as we can! You can lead the way!"
Taking a deep breath, Luca proudly said again: "SILENZIO BRUNO!", diving in and leaving a giant splash behind.
"ANDIAMO!" Alberto followed suit.
The duo hurriedly rushed their way to the house of Paguros, coming across many familiar faces along the way that Luca personally knew. Luca had a rush of thoughts go through his head that overwhelmed him, but didn't want anyone else to know at that time. After darting past the goatfish and the fields of seaweed, the two were ready to face the hardest part before doing something else just as difficult. They entered the house at the exact same time.
"Mom!" Luca cried.
"Huh?" Daniela turned to the sound. "Oh! Luca!" Without question, Daniela rushed up to Luca and gave him a huge hug. "I know we just saw you, but, thanks for visiting me!"
"Mom-"
Daniela let go.
"Oh! And I see you brought Alberto too, son!" Lorenzo caught on.
"Signor Paguro, we-"
"So Luca, tell me EVERYTHING about how school was for you! Did you make new friends? Did you learn anything new? Were you safe? How were your teachers?-"