Chapter 24: Waves of Change (Part 2)

Pete quickened his pace toward the drink stand, eyes fixed dead ahead. The less he thought about everything—the festival, the crowds, the gnawing strangeness of this world—the better.

Then a flicker of pink caught in the corner of his vision. He tried to ignore it, but his gaze betrayed him. Popuri stood just a few yards away, balancing two drinks in her hands. The afternoon sun lit her long pink hair like spun silk, turning it into a beacon impossible to overlook. She radiated an effortless joy, her energy as warm as the air around them. Her swimsuit—a playful pink two-piece edged in delicate frills—seemed designed to match her every laugh and easy movement.

Pete forced his eyes forward. He told himself to focus on the stand. On the sand beneath his feet. On anything else. But before he could fully turn away, she looked up—catching him mid-glance.

A knowing, mischievous smile curved her lips. "Careful, Pete," she teased, tilting her head just enough for the sunlight to catch in her eyes. "Staring too hard might get you in trouble."

Heat flared in his cheeks, rising up his neck in a wave of mortification. "I wasn't—" he began, but the words stumbled and died in his throat. There was no use in denying it. She had caught him, fair and square.

Popuri's chuckle was soft but sharp enough to cut through the noise of the beach. "See you around, Pete," she called over her shoulder as she turned away, her hair swaying gently with each step toward her family.

He groaned inwardly, pivoting sharply toward the drink stand as if the act alone could erase the last thirty seconds. "How many times has she caught me?" he wondered. He didn't mean to stare—but she looked so much like his Popuri, the one from Flowerbud, that sometimes the line between memory and reality blurred before he could stop it.

He slapped his own cheek lightly, muttering under his breath, "Keep it together." He knows that if he slipped up too much, if he drew too much attention, someone might notice he wasn't the Pete they knew. The Pete they expected.

Still, the image of her lingered—sunlight in her hair, that teasing smile—as stubborn and sharp as a splinter in his thoughts.

By the time he reached the stand, he leaned his elbows on the counter, exhaling hard. "Get a grip, Pete," he whispered to himself. "You're here with Elli."

Pete caught his breath in front of the drink stand, his eyes wide with disbelief. He had been so preoccupied with his thoughts that he hadn't even noticed Kai until his voice snapped him back to reality.

"Hey there, Pete! What can I get for ya?" Kai said cheerfully, his laid-back grin lighting up his face.

Pete jumped back in shock. "Kai? What are you doing here?"

Kai's smile faltered for a moment, confused by Pete's reaction. "Uh… running a drink stand. Is that a problem?" he replied, gesturing to the setup in front of him.

Pete leaned forward, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "Never mind the drink stand! Where have you been? I've been looking for you for days!"

Kai blinked, taken aback by Pete's urgency. "Looking for me? Pete, I just got back today. You know I only come here in the Summer."

Pete frowned, his confusion only deepening. "Wait… seriously? You don't actually live here in Mineral Town?"

Kai chuckled, grabbing a rag to wipe down the counter. "Nope! I've told you before—I only run a seasonal diner here in Mineral Town. Look!" He pointed behind him at a brightly decorated shack with a massive sign that read 'Kai's Seaside Shack'.

Pete stared at the shack, his jaw slack. "Huh. How come I never noticed that before."

Soon, his thoughts drifted, unbidden, to the faces he hadn't seen since leaving Flowerbud Village. Friends, neighbors, people whose voices and laughter still echoed in his memory. A quiet relief settled over him as a possibility took root—they hadn't simply vanished, ceased to exist. No, they must have found new homes, scattered across this strange world, living lives entirely different from the ones he remembered.

Yet the comfort was fragile, slipping away almost as soon as it formed. Because beneath it all, a heavier truth gnawed at him. If this world had its own Pete—its own version of him—then where was he now? The answer was a void, and that void chilled him.

He had taken that Pete's place. No amount of logic, no gentle reasoning, could quiet the unease of that thought. It clung to him like a shadow that would never let go. In the end, that version of Pete no longer exists, and he is now wearing his skin. An intruder in the lives of the people of Mineral Town.

Kai tilted his head, studying Pete with a mix of amusement and concern. "You feeling okay, man? You're acting kind of weird."

Pete ran a hand through his hair, letting out a breathless laugh. "Oh, you have no idea," he muttered under his breath.

Kai leaned casually against the counter, arms folded, a smirk tugging at his lips. "If you're looking for something to cool you down," he said, voice dripping with self-assurance, "I've got the best Summer drinks in town."

Pete let out a short, incredulous breath, shaking his head. The day had already been strange enough, and somehow Kai's salesman swagger fit right in with the rest of the strange people of Mineral Town. "Yeah… thanks, Kai. I'll just take some water."

"Water?" Kai raised a brow, as if Pete had just passed up a treasure. Still, he popped open the cooler, the sound of cracking ice and shifting bottles filling the air. He pulled out a chilled bottle, beads of condensation already running down the plastic, and set it on the counter.

Pete slid a few coins across. Kai grinned, tucking the coins away. "Pleasure doing business with you, farmer boy."

With the cold bottle in hand, Pete made his way back to the blanket where Elli lay stretched out under the warm sun. Her eyes opened as his shadow fell over her, and she accepted the water with a small, grateful smile that softened the edges of his day.

"Thanks, Pete," she said, her voice gentle and unhurried—like a cool breeze cutting through the heat.

That smile—it had a way of smoothing out the rough edges inside him, softening the tension that had clung to him since the morning like salt in the air. He gave her a small nod, then sank down beside her, the blanket rustling beneath his weight. Stretching out on his back, he closed his eyes and let the heat of the sun seep into his skin.

For a while, he allowed himself to drift. The buzz of Summer surrounded him—distant laughter from children chasing waves, the rhythmic crash of the surf, the high-pitched calls of gulls overhead. Around him, swimsuits flashed bright like flags, conversations flowed freely, and for once, no one seemed in a hurry.

With his eyes shut, it was easier to shut out more than just the noise. He could almost forget the disjointed memories, the strange map, the uncertainty that had stalked him since waking up in this version of his life. For just a breath of time, there was only the warmth, the sound of Elli sipping her water beside him, and the easy lull of the sea.

But then the heat began to build. A bead of sweat traced a slow line down his temple. Suddenly he was also thirsty. His taste buds craving for something cool and sweet.

"I'll be right back," he murmured, sitting up and brushing the sand from his legs. Elli gave a small nod, already settling deeper into her sun-soaked relaxation.

Pete wandered across the beach toward Kai's refreshment stand again. A few people were lined up ahead of him, laughing and chatting beneath the colorful umbrella shading the cart. When it was his turn, he gave a short nod. "Pineapple juice."

Kai handed over the can without a word, taking a few coins in exchange. Pete pulled the tab, the metal cracking open with a satisfying hiss. He lifted the can to his lips and drank deeply. The juice was cold, tangy-sweet, and sharp enough to wake him up from the fog of heat. It cooled his throat, sent a chill down his spine. For a moment, he just stood there, the sun on his back, the breeze tugging at his shirt, the taste of Summer lingering on his tongue.

Just as Pete was about to walk back to Elli, a booming voice filled the air. Mayor Thomas stood on a small wooden platform near the water, holding a megaphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come for the annual Swimming Race! All participants, please make your way to the starting line!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, and Pete turned to see Kai leaning casually against his stand, a cocky grin spreading across his face. "So, Pete," Kai began, folding his arms over the stand, "you joining the race this year? Or are you just gonna sit back and watch?"

Pete shook his head, raising his drink. "I think I'll pass."

Kai let out a low, amused chuckle, his grin spreading lazily across his sun-kissed face. "Figures. You're always like this, huh? Never wanting to dive into the fun. Classic Pete."

Pete's eyes narrowed, the comment hitting a nerve. The Kai he had known back in Flowerbud Village had never spoken like this—never cocky, never cruel. That Kai had been easygoing but respectful, the kind of guy who wore humility like a second skin. This version, all swagger and smirking bravado, felt like a stranger wearing a familiar face.

He couldn't explain why, but something about hearing that voice—this voice—mock him stung more than it should have. Maybe because it was Kai. The Kai he knew twisted into something just a little too loud, a little too smug.

Kai leaned in slightly, his voice dripping with taunt. "Tell you what—sit back on the beach with your nurse girlfriend and cheer me on when I win. Again."

He threw a wink over his shoulder and turned toward the starting line, all confidence and bare-footed bravado. Pete's hand tightened around his drink. The aluminum creaked under the strain of his grip.

"What did you just say?" The can collapsed with a crack, juice spilling over his fingers.

Kai glanced back, his smirk deepening into something almost cruel. "Relax, man. Don't get all worked up. I'm just telling the truth. You've always been more of a… spectator."

That was it. Pete felt the heat rise, sharp and sudden, hotter than the midday sun beating down on the shoreline. He slammed the crushed can onto the drink stand with a metallic thud and took a step forward, arms crossed tight over his chest.

"You know what?" he snapped. "I'll race you. And I'm not just going to race you—I'm going to beat you. So bad, you'll need that nurse you just mentioned."

Kai blinked, caught off guard by the outburst. But then, slowly, that same irritating grin curled back across his face. "Well, well. Look who finally grew a spine." He chuckled, his eyes glinting with something like admiration—or maybe just amusement. "This is new. Never seen this fire in you before, farm boy. I like it."

Pete stepped in close, his voice low, cold, and unshakable. "You have no idea what I've been through these last few days," he said, his gaze locked onto Kai's. "So if you want all this pent-up frustration… then fine. You've got it."

For a moment, there was silence—just the sound of the waves and the buzz of cicadas in the distance. Then Kai clapped a hand on Pete's shoulder, laughter rolling from his chest.

"Now that's the spirit. Let's see if you can back up all that talk, farmer boy."

Pete didn't flinch. He just stared at the finish line ahead, jaw clenched and heart pounding. He hadn't come here to fight—but maybe a race and finally putting someone in his place was exactly what he needed.

Pete brushed off Kai's hand and strode toward the starting line, the cheers of the crowd ringing in his ears. For the first time in days, he felt a surge of determination—an outlet for everything that had been building inside him. And he was ready to prove that this was not the same person Kai thought he knew.

At the starting line, Pete bent down to stretch, rolling his shoulders and loosening up his arms. The sand was warm beneath his feet, and the salty breeze from the ocean carried with it the excited chatter of the crowd. As he prepared himself mentally, Elli approached him, her expression a mix of encouragement and concern.

She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure you're going to be okay out there?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly. "You haven't really done something like this before, have you?"

Pete glanced at her and smiled reassuringly. "I'll be fine," he said, straightening up. He continued his warmup exercises, stretching his arms overhead and twisting at the waist to loosen his torso.

Elli crossed her arms, watching him carefully. "Just don't overdo it, okay? Make sure you stretch enough so you don't cramp up. I don't want to have to drag you out of the water, I can't swim after all," she teased, though her tone still carried a note of worry.

Pete chuckled softly but didn't respond. In truth, her concern was misplaced. What no one in Mineral Town knew—what no one could know—was that Pete wasn't the same man they thought he was. Back in his timeline, swimming had been second nature to him. He'd spent countless hours in swimming classes back at home in the city. This body, lean and muscular from farming, was more than capable of handling the race. Unlike the "other Pete," whose life here seems to have been a quieter, less active one, he had more than enough skill to take on Kai—and win.

Pete turned his gaze to Kai, who was chatting with the other competitors and looking smug as ever. His rival's confidence was almost comical. "He'll be surprised," Pete muttered under his breath, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"What was that?" Elli asked, tilting her head.

"Nothing," Pete replied quickly. He gave her hand a light squeeze. "Don't worry about me. Just watch and see."

Elli hesitated for a moment before smiling. "Alright," she said, stepping back toward the sidelines. "Good luck, Pete. I'll be cheering for you."

As she joined the rest of the spectators, Pete stepped onto the starting line, the weight of the race settling in. He crouched low, readying himself for the signal, his eyes never leaving Kai. This was more than just a competition—it was his chance to remind himself, and maybe the world around him, that he was capable of far more than anyone expected. And as far as he was concerned, he wasn't going to let Kai's smugness go unchecked.

The race had barely begun when Pete's mind clicked into a focused rhythm. The ocean water was cool against his skin, the sound of the waves a steady background to the splashing strokes of the swimmers. His eyes locked onto the massive boulder that marked the finish line, where Rick stood atop it, watching like a referee.

"On your marks, get set, go!" Mayor Thomas shouted, the crack of the starting gun echoing across the beach.

The swimmers launched into the water, arms and legs kicking furiously. Pete quickly found his stride, his strokes efficient and powerful. The other competitors surged ahead at first, their excitement fueling a frantic burst of energy. But as they pushed farther from shore, fatigue began to set in for some, and one by one, a few swimmers started to turn back.

Pete, however, was just hitting his groove. His body moved fluidly, cutting through the water as if it were second nature. His experience from the city was paying off. Unlike the others, he wasn't tiring; he was gaining momentum.

Kai, a seasoned swimmer himself, noticed this and glanced back as he surged toward the boulder. He saw the other competitors giving up and heading back to shore, leaving only a few still in the race. But what caught his attention most was Pete.

"What the…?" Kai thought, his smug confidence flickering for the first time. Pete wasn't just keeping up—he was closing the gap, his strokes strong and unrelenting. "Who is this guy?"

Determined not to lose, Kai quickened his pace, his strokes becoming more aggressive as he neared the boulder. But Pete's speed only increased. The gap between them shrank with every passing second.

It was a neck-and-neck race as they reached the boulder. Both men extended their arms, reaching for the tip of the rock where Rick stood waiting to declare a winner. Time seemed to slow as their hands stretched out—

"Kai! Kai!"

A scream cut through the air, sharp and urgent. Both Pete and Kai's heads whipped around toward the source of the voice. Popuri stood on the shore, waving her arms frantically.

"It's Mom! She's having an attack!" Popuri shouted, her voice trembling with panic.

Pete and Kai turned their eyes toward Lillia, who was hunched over on the pier, clutching her chest. Her face was pale, her body visibly trembling.

Kai's eyes widened, his hand falling short of the boulder. The race was forgotten in an instant. "Lillia!" he shouted, spinning around in the water and swimming back toward shore without hesitation.

Pete paused for a brief moment, his competitive edge melting away as he saw the severity of the situation. He glanced at Rick, who nodded grimly. Without another thought, Pete turned and followed Kai, both men swimming back toward the beach with renewed urgency.

The cheers and excitement of the race had turned into worried murmurs from the crowd. The festive atmosphere was replaced with a tense silence as everyone watched Lillia, hoping she would be okay.

Pete's heart pounded as he pushed himself harder than he had in years, not for the race but to make sure he could help if needed. Whatever rivalry he had with Kai didn't matter now—what mattered was Lillia and ensuring she was safe.

Pete's feet hit the sand as he and Kai sprinted out of the water, their wet bodies glistening under the Summer sun. The festive atmosphere had vanished, replaced by murmurs of concern and the sound of Popuri calling out desperately for her mother.

Elli was already by Lillia's side, her hands steady as she checked her vitals and tried to keep her calm. Lillia was pale, her breaths shallow and labored. She clutched her chest, her face twisted with pain.

"Lillia, just hold on," Kai urged, kneeling beside her in the sand. His voice, normally smooth and easy, carried an edge of panic. He slid her arm around his shoulder, bracing her frail weight against him.

The sunlight was relentless, glinting off the waves and casting everything in a harsh glare. Kai's eyes darted over the beach, scanning for help. The other swimmers lay sprawled in the sand like shipwreck survivors—chests heaving, limbs limp, useless in their exhaustion. No one was moving to help.

A low growl of frustration rumbled in his throat. He knew Lillia's condition—knew that every second mattered. The clinic was far, too far, and if he faltered even once, she might not make it.

Then he saw him. Pete stood apart from the rest, posture straight, breath steady despite the punishing race. Kai swallowed his pride; there was no room for ego now.

"Pete!" His voice cut through the noise of the beach, sharp and desperate. "Help me get her to the clinic!"

Pete's gaze flicked toward Elli. She gave a single, urgent nod, her eyes imploring him to act. "I'm on it!" he shouted.

He was at Lillia's side in an instant, dropping into a crouch. Without hesitation, he took Lillia's other arm and draped it over his broad shoulder. Her frailty was startling—bones light as driftwood, her breath shallow and uneven.

"Let's go. On three," Pete said, locking eyes with Kai to make sure they were in sync.

"Three," Kai confirmed. Together, they lifted Lillia to her feet, careful not to jostle her too much. She groaned softly, her head resting against Kai's shoulder as they began moving toward the clinic.

The crowd parted for them as they made their way off the beach, Popuri following closely behind, her face pale with worry. Elli kept pace beside them, her voice calm and reassuring as she monitored Lillia's condition.

"Stay steady, Lillia. You're going to be fine. Just keep breathing," Elli said gently, though Pete could hear the slight tremor in her voice.

The journey to the clinic felt like it stretched forever, every step weighed down by the tension of the situation. But Pete and Kai worked together seamlessly, their rivalry and differences forgotten in the face of something far more important.

By the time they reached the clinic, Doctor Trent was already waiting at the door, alerted by a runner who had sprinted ahead. "Bring her in, quickly!" he commanded, ushering them inside.

Pete and Kai carefully eased Lillia onto an examination table, their muscles burning but their minds focused entirely on her well-being.

"Thank you," Kai said, glancing at Pete as Doctor Trent and Elli began working on Lillia. His usual smugness was gone, replaced by genuine gratitude.

Pete simply nodded, leaning against the wall to catch his breath. "She'll be okay," he said, more to himself than anyone else, though he prayed his words would prove true.