by L. K. Kuhl
They sat far enough away so I couldn’t hear them, only see their actions of laughing and flirting. I could about guess what those three pretty people must be saying. My heartbeat slowed…barely beating…dizzy.
The girls laughed—their pretty white teeth glistening. They tossed their heads, letting their gorgeous hair fly in the wind, petting and loving on Symphony. Tate joined in on their laughter, acting like he had with me. I’m sure he was asking for their numbers.
Unable to watch, I swallowed hard and turned my head away. I didn’t know what to do, so I got up from my chair and paced, pressing my fists to my lips.
Brian noticed. “What’s the matter?”
I clutched my stomach and walked toward the water. “Nothing. I just need to go for a swim. I’m getting overheated.”
“Okay. I’ll go with you.” He followed behind, catching up to my fast pace.
I raised my hand to stop him. “I just want to be left alone.”
“If you’re overheated, it would be best if I stayed with you. I don’t want anything happening to you.”
“I’ll be fine…just fine. You don’t need to stay with me. I’m not a kid, and I want to be by myself.”
My nostrils flared. My heart pounded viciously.
“Okay, I’m going back to my chair. I’ll catch up with you when you come back.” His mouth turned downward, and his face sagged. I’d hurt his feelings.
Even though I hated to hurt him, he had my nerves worn to a frazzle, so I didn’t answer back. I dove into the cool water and swam, fighting to expel the image of Tate and those beautiful girls from my mind.
I should have known Tate would be this way, hounding every girl he sees. All of the gorgeous ones always did. After my short swim, I eased my way back to the shoreline. Tired and worn, I shivered and rubbed my sore shoulders, my fingers gliding over goose bumps. I just wanted to go back to Mandy’s.
I trudged back to my chair and grabbed my towel, dried off. My eyes glanced over to where Tate and the girls had been, and they were gone. Probably all left together. The coiled knot in my stomach hardened, brain scuffling with my heart. He could talk to whoever he wanted; I didn’t know him. But who was I kidding? It still didn’t ease the hurt any.
Brian fidgeted, a bit cautious about speaking, but started in again anyhow. “How are you feeling? Did the water help?”
I looked away and shot my gaze to the sky. Couldn’t this guy take a hint?
“Yeah, I guess, but I think I’m gonna go back home, now. It was nice meeting you. I enjoyed our visit.” I hoped I wasn’t leading him on and inviting him back, but I wanted to make up for my earlier meanness.
He stared into my eyes, his face hopeful. “It was great meeting you, too, Sophia. I hope we can talk again. And, remember, don’t wait on someone who might not be interested in you, when you have a guy right here who would love to take you out and wine and dine you.”
I looked down, gathering up my towel and lotion, and exhaled an exasperated breath. “Thanks, but I’m not looking to date anyone at this point. I’m just here to enjoy my summer with my friend.” My flat tone disappointed me. Weird how my vacation had turned into being all about Tate. This made me even sadder.
He shrugged one shoulder, bending his foot to the side. “I’m not talking about anything serious, just a night out on the town. You know, just go and have a little fun. Like I said, maybe supper and a movie. It can’t hurt.” His drooping glasses dangled off his nose before he pushed them up again.
“Yeah okay, bye.” I sulked my way up the hill toward Mandy’s house.
I lost my flip-flop in the sand and wrestled with trying to get it back on when an animal control officer, leading a black dog, walked in front of me. I continued on to the house. Though it looked like her, it couldn’t be Symphony. Even for barely knowing Tate, I knew he wouldn’t go anywhere without his dog.
I stopped, though, turned around, and trudged back toward the officer.
I squinted up into the slipping sun and approached the man. “May I ask where you found this dog, sir?”
“Is she yours?” The overweight officer lifted his hat and wiped his brow. “Those two girls over there turned her in.” He motioned with his head to the west. “They didn’t know where she came from. She just showed up where they happened to be sitting and wouldn’t leave. They decided to turn her in to me because they were leaving. She seems to be friendly enough.”
I glanced over to where the officer pointed, and the two girls who had been laughing with Tate still sat there. But I didn’t see him anywhere.
“Can I look at her tags? I think I might know who she belongs to.”
He dipped his head. “Go ahead.”
I reached under her chin and turned the tag over. “I know this dog and the owner. Weren’t those girls with the man who owns the dog?” I tilted my head, confused. Something wasn’t adding up.
“I don’t know.” The officer shrugged, throwing his hands wide. “They just said they didn’t know who this dog belonged to and wanted to turn her in. I’m just doing my job.” He folded his arms across his chest and sighed.
“Can I take her with me if I know who she belongs to?”
“I can’t let you take her, ma’am. If you have the owner’s number, you can call and let me talk to him and get the okay. But legally, I can’t let anyone take a dog unless it’s the owner.”
I bit my bottom lip, wishing I had Tate’s number. None of this made any sense. Why didn’t Tate take Symphony with him? And if he didn’t, those girls should have known who the dog belonged to and called him back to come get her. A glimmer of hope curved my lips into a satisfying smile—at least those beautiful girls didn’t have his number.
I tapped my fingers above my mouth. “I don’t have his number. Where are you taking her? If I see her owner, I can at least tell him where she’s at.” Even though I was still reluctant to let him take Symphony away, I conceded.
“I’m taking her to the dog pound on fifty-sixth and L. Here’s a phone number if you need to call.” He jotted down the number for Charleston Humane on his pocket notepad.
I took the number from him. “Thank you. She won’t be there long. I’ll try to find her owner and let him know.”
Symphony whined when the officer pulled on her leash to take her away. I gave her a couple of pats on the head, and she licked my hand. “It’s okay, girl. We’ll get you back to Tate before long.”
“Oh, just a word of warning…. The pound only gives the animals twenty-four hours. If the owner doesn’t claim her, they euthanize her.” He led her away to his vehicle.
Twenty-four hours? That didn’t leave me near enough time to find Tate. I walked over to where the officer had said the two girls had been. Tate should be around here somewhere. But the girls were gone, now, too. I searched, exploring and combing the entire beach area but couldn’t find any of them. I hunted for a half hour, then gave up. I had until five tomorrow afternoon.
Chapter 6
I hurried to the house. Mandy’s car sat in the drive. The tension in my shoulders released some, happy she’d made it home, but a crawly feeling creeped along my back—still hesitant about going in after their fight. After much deliberation, I cracked the door a sliver, peeking my head around. “Mandy, I’m back. Are you here?”
The silent house puzzled me. I walked through the kitchen and peered into the living room. My breathing instantly became restricted—left me gasping for new…better air, and I stumbled. Two of the strange men from the trees swept through the living room, their long, black cloak tails dragging across the worn carpet. In a moment, they vanished.
I squeezed my eyes shut, then blinked wide. This couldn’t be real. “What the…? What happened? Are you guys alright?”
“What are you talking about?” Mandy’s eyes squinted tight, and she turned her palm, looking at me like I’d gone crazy. “It’s only Matt and I.” But she paced the floor, her steps short and jerky. She smoothed the sleeves on her blouse, brushing awa
y the tension.
My mouth spilled open. “But…but…this makes no sense. Those cloaked men… Weren’t they…? I saw them in the trees the other day….”
“Good grief, you’re delusional. There’s no one here but us.”
I shivered, and my teeth clattered against each other, my mind swimming.
Mandy tilted her head back and sat down. “Never mind…. Did you get a chance to see Tate today?”
I sat down across from her and rubbed my temples, spawning another headache. What were these visions?
My breathing ebbed back toward this side of normal, so I told them the story of seeing Tate with those beautiful girls and of Symphony getting hauled off to the dog pound. I also told them about the annoying Brian Tarris.
My shoulders slumped. “I need to find Tate fast. Symphony only has twenty-four hours and then they put her down.”
How has my life gotten so complicated? Aren’t the teen years supposed to be fun and easygoing?
Mandy dipped her head. “Tate will find her, I’m sure of it.” She stood up and came to stand by me, patting my shoulder. “Sounds like you need some cheering up. Would you like to go eat with me and Matt?”
Obviously, the two of them had gotten things fixed in their relationship, but I wanted to be alone. “You two go ahead. I don’t feel like doing anything. I’m thinking about going for a run. Maybe ease this headache. It’ll give me the chance to explore the area, too.”
Matt laughed. “Ha…running…you won’t see me doing anything like that. Too much work for this guy.”
Mandy nudged him. “Running’s fun. It’s a great way to meditate. Good for the soul.”
* * *
Matt and Mandy left, and I trudged my way up the long staircase to put on my running shorts and shoes. My legs were weak, but running did make me feel better. I wanted to search the area and maybe run into Tate. He might live somewhere close.
I slid on my black nylon shorts and wound my hair back in a ponytail. The sun started to nudge the horizon as I grabbed my headphones and slipped out the door.
With my breathing amped, I wound through paths and trees, my music cranked, getting lost inside my mind. My gaze drifted, taking in the scenic, secluded area, my favorite kind of place to run when I’m home—somewhere where you can get lost in your thoughts and music.
I ran by children playing softball out in the yard. I ran by a sprinkler throwing water on a plush lawn. I ran by a bent old woman with a cane, walking her black cat on a leash. She looked up at me and scowled as the black cat hissed.
I advanced upon a ramshackle, decaying cemetery with wrought-iron gates and a worn, wooden cross displaying the entrance. Some of the tombstones were half-tipped over, their corners protruding out of the soil, moss covering most of the names. The eeriness of it permeated the calm air.
The calmness left when I ran past the gate. Wind lit the air, blowing in swirling, ominous storm clouds, closing in the darkness even quicker than normal. My breath caught and I jumped as a big branch from a willow tree came crashing down onto the iron fence beside me, missing me by only a fraction of an inch. I picked up speed, running toward home, trying to beat the imminent rain.
With the lightning nipping at my heels, I raced for Mandy’s. I made it to the house and yanked the door, slipping inside just before the rain drenched and cooled the sizzling sidewalk.
Mandy and Matt weren’t back, yet, so I traipsed upstairs, my body giving way to complete exhaustion. I collapsed on the bed, and it wasn’t long before my mind drifted to Tate. The things that happened with him and Symphony were just too bizarre. How could he just lose his dog like that? And how were we ever going to rescue her?
Time ticked at an unending pace, the hands twisting out of control around the face of the clock. I needed to go out and search for him again, but the rain forged on, relentless, forcing me to stay put. But wouldn’t Tate be out looking for her? Did he want to get rid of her? Did the girls do something with him? The answers had to be here, but I hated this useless feeling of not being able to go dig for them.
I pulled my journal out of the drawer, my eyes heavy.
June Second,
My heart sank to my toes when I saw Tate laughing and talking with two beautiful girls. I wish I could tell him what that did to me. How he ripped my heart out and stomped on it, crushing it into the sand. Symphony got hauled to the dog pound, and her time is limited. I’m hoping I can find him.
Sophia Bandell
My silk pajamas cooled me as they slid over my skin. I climbed under the cotton sheet and closed my eyes. The rain pounded, and it brought the wild wind with it, banging the shutters against the house. It was going to be impossible to sleep. The lightning flashed too bright, and the thunder boomed too loud. I put a pillow over my head but still couldn’t sleep.
My mind circled around images of Tate and Symphony. Different scenarios streaked through my head, and I kept imagining the worst. I broke down and cried, unable to hold it in any longer. A perplexing, strange sense pulled me toward him, but I couldn’t figure out why. Even though I didn’t know him well, I couldn’t live without him. I cried for hours, until I drifted off sometime around three in the morning. Maybe the raging storm had finally passed.
* * *
The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. I’d tossed and turned most of the night, couldn’t sleep. I rolled out of bed a disheveled mess and stumbled to the bathroom, squinting into the mirror. My eyes burned—swollen and red—my hair looked like a mixer had gotten caught in it, and my puffy face was red, blotchy, and mottled. Needless to say, the night had been rough.
I tiptoed down the hallway, trying to keep quiet so I wouldn’t wake Mandy. As I walked by her closed door, the scent of roses stirred the stale air. Why was that weird smell always around? Did everyone from the South smell this way?
I needed to get an early start, find Tate, and tell him about Symphony. Not wanting to wait for Mandy to get up, I scribbled her a note, telling her I went to the beach and to meet me there after breakfast.
I opened the front door, and a choir of birds greeted my ears. Last night’s storm brought a cool breeze to my face. The heat hadn’t settled in yet.
A few early morning risers and faithful joggers dotted the beach. My gaze lingered over them—scanning and checking—but I didn’t see Tate anywhere. I grabbed a lounge chair and sat down, keeping my eye on any new people coming to the area. The sun glared brighter, and it didn’t take long for the heat to eat its way in.
“Well, hello there, ready for a new day?”
I froze. Not him again. Mr. Big-nosed-nerd had hit the beach. I’d been way too nice yesterday, and I needed to put a stop to him. “Yep, I have things to do today. I’m on a mission and can’t be disturbed.” I turned my head away, the hair stiffening on the nape of my neck.
“A mission?” Brian sneered and snorted while he carried over a lounge chair, shoving it into the sand right next to mine. “What kind of a mission could you be on at the beach? Bird watching?”
I cast my eyes to the sky, biting my tongue but unable to hold in my next remark. “No, and I don’t need to tell you, anyway. I don’t want you sitting by me today, either. My friends Mandy and Matt are coming here, and I don’t want you intruding.”
Brian sat there, blinking, staring at me, unable to think of a quick comeback. “Well…er…I’ll keep you company until they come.”
Unbelievable. Where did this guy come from? I couldn’t get rid of him for nothing, unless I forcefully did. I might have to resort to that.
The beach filled up fast, but I couldn’t see Tate in the mass of people. I slunk down into my chair—a hollowed-out hole dug itself deep inside my chest. Hope dwindled. Symphony only had a few short hours left—there was no way to save her life.
“S’up…? Got room for two more?” I looked up. Mandy and Matt stood beside me, striped towels draped around their necks.
I exhaled, words flinging out in a rush. “Thank goodness. Sure, sit d
own.” Now Brian could get lost.
Brian’s head spun toward me. “What? Sorry, didn’t realize you were talking to me.”
“I wasn’t.” I pushed on his chair. “Matt and Mandy are here, and they want to sit by me.”
A confused look crept across his face. “They are? Where…oh, over there? I see them now.”
His gaze wandered in the wrong direction, but I let him believe that the people he was looking at were Matt and Mandy.
I cleared my throat. “Uh-hum, if you could please leave, now, I’d like to be alone with them.”
“Sure thing.” His cheery face reversed into a solemn stone, and his lips frowned. He picked up his lounge chair and moved away. “I’ll talk to you later, when you’re alone again.”
Mental note…make sure I’m never left here alone again. “Promise me you won’t leave me alone out here, Mandy.” I shuddered. “That guy won’t leave me alone.”
Mandy pulled up a lounge chair and sank down with her towel. “Dibs…just kidding…he is kind of a creeper, isn’t he? Sure doesn’t take the hint well.” Matt sat down next to her. “He does have cute sneakers and glasses, though.” She giggled and put her finger in her mouth as if to gag herself.
I rolled my eyes and shivered. “Yuck…nice, aren’t they? But, no, he doesn’t take the hint. Please, protect me from that geek. Oh, also, sorry for leaving you guys this morning. Wanted to get an early start.”
Mandy’s face hardened and became serious. “Did you find him?”
“Nope, nothing.” I shook my head. “It’s just all so strange. What coulda happened? I’m worried about Symphony.”
Matt threw me a sidelong glance. “Maybe he just doesn’t come to the beach every day. He could be working, you never know. I mean, it isn’t like you know the guy real well.”