The Drowned Gods, #1
Curious Tides
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 16: Baz
Overview
Baz relives his printing-press trauma, only for Kai to appear within the nightmare and declare it unreal before the vision collapses in silver. Waking in Kai’s room, Baz confronts his guilt over leaving Kai behind and chooses to remain, underscoring their bond and Baz’s unresolved grief.
Summary
Baz is trapped in a recurring nightmare of the printing press disaster. He counts the familiar beats—collapse, explosion, and sudden silence—while his father clutches him, silver veining under the skin, and ink turns to blood, confirming the unreality. His father’s reassurance morphs into a different voice.
Kai appears within the dream and, as a Nightmare Weaver, insists, “This isn’t real,” moments before the scene is seared away in silver. The intervention shatters the nightmare’s hold but emphasizes how deeply Baz’s trauma persists.
Baz awakens in Kai’s room, disoriented and tearful. He had come seeking to ease his guilt for leaving Kai behind and, finding slight comfort in Kai’s presence, decides not to leave. Gazing at the painted constellations and reminding himself they are not real, Baz lets himself drift back to sleep.
Who Appears
- BazHaunted by the printing-press tragedy; experiences a nightmare Kai disrupts; wakes in Kai’s room, staying out of guilt.
- KaiNightmare Weaver who appears in Baz’s dream to assert its unreality; his room becomes Baz’s refuge.
- Baz’s fatherFigure in Baz’s nightmare, holding him as the printing press disaster unfolds; symbolizes Baz’s trauma.