Gargantua by K. Robert Andreassi Read Free Book Online

“You two be careful out there, okay?”
    In a deferential voice, Dak said, “Don’t worry, sir, we will.” Dak had always been good about being on his best behavior around Pop. It was one of several reasons why Pop blessed their engagement.
    “C’mon, let’s go,” Kulani said, pulling on Dak’s arm, trying to drag him out the door. His battered blue pickup truck was parked out front, the two sets of surf skis in the cab. “What took you so long?” she asked as she got into the passenger’s side seat. “I thought I’d have to listen to Pop bitching and moaning about the dangers of the water for hours.”
    Dak laughed as he got in on his side. “Since when does your father think it’s dangerous to go in the water?”
    “Since two dumb Americans couldn’t figure out how to get out of a fishing net.”
    “Well, he’s not the only one spooked,” Dak said as he started the truck. It stalled. “Derek didn’t get a single ride today—spent the whole day in Manny’s.”
    “Manny must’ve loved that.”
    Dak tried to start the truck again. This time, it stayed on, and they drove off to the beach. “Anyhow, practice ran a little late. Maru was being little Mister Perfectionist again.”
    Kulani smiled. Dak was in Friends Anemones, the house band at Rik’s Bar and Grill; he played bongos and other percussion, and was quite good at it. They were hoping to get some gigs on some of the other islands, maybe even in Sydney or Melbourne or Manila.
    The trip to the beach took only a few minutes—they wouldn’t have bothered with the vehicle at all if it weren’t for the skis. Dak simply left the car at a spot a short walk from the shore—parking regulations were rather loose on Malau—and they got out.
    Kulani moved to the back of the truck, as did Dak. She waited for Dak to open the cab door, but instead he took her in his arms and kissed her.
    The kiss took some time—how long, Kulani did not know, nor did she much care. All she cared about was Dak.
    “Have I told you recently how beautiful you are?” Dak asked after the kiss ended.
    “It’s been hours.”
    “Much too long, then,” he said, and kissed her again. After this last kiss, he smiled, opened the truck, and grabbed a pair of skis.
    A small frown on her face, Kulani did likewise with the other pair.
    When they reached the edge of the surf, they set the skis down. Before Dak could do anything else, Kulani leaned over and kissed him. Dak was only surprised for a moment, then he returned the kiss.
    After they broke it, Kulani waited expectantly—but Dak pushed off into the water. Sighing, Kulani followed.
    Within a few minutes, they were in the middle of the ocean, the salt spraying on their faces, the stars shining in the sky, and Kulani staring at Dak’s lovely back.
    That back then pivoted and turned, and Kulani looked up to see Dak staring at her. “You’re so beautiful.”
    Finally, she thought, smiling. She imagined that she glowed in the moonlight.
    Suddenly, Dak lost his balance—unusual, in and of itself, since Dak had almost perfect balance. Then she started to glide past him.
    For some reason, Dak was dead in the water.
    “Dak?”
    Rather than answer, Dak looked down at his skis. Kulani followed his gaze to the rope attached to the back of the skis, which was, peculiarly, taut.
    Kulani looked back up at Dak, but he looked as confused as she. She was about to ask him what was going on, when suddenly, she found herself moving farther away from him, faster. But that doesn’t make sense.
    Then she realized that she wasn’t moving faster—Dak was being pulled backwards.
    “Oh, my God,” Dak said.
    Kulani was frozen with indecision—not to mention necessity. Unlike Dak, she had a much harder time keeping her balance, and if she tried to turn around, or maneuver in some other way, she would probably fall into the ocean. Oh, God, what do I do?
    Dak’s skis were moving faster now, and farther away from her. “Help me!” he