Wrestling the Kraken

Bridgett

Bridgett

Bridgett waited until she was sure there was no one left. It was easy. A hyper-focus keeping her alert to any sounds, just like when she used to be locked in the closet. Pushing the metal aside, she was careful not to make too much noise.

She slid out from underneath the car and stood up. The pressure from using her arm, sped up the throbbing again. This time she could check it out though. A gash on her forearm- bleeding, but not severely. She could take care of it herself. Applying pressure, she started walking.

They must have been talking to Vito. He warned her. The only one out of all the cities to show any kind of loyalty. He didn't have to help her. He could have simply let her get caught, as payback for the evidence she held against him- assurance, she had told him.

Why would he do it? She didn't understand. This city, though not the safest or the cleanest, had shown her kindness many times over. Lanz, his friends, certain strangers and acquaintances she had met, and now Vito. It was all so... strange.

If they had followed Vito, the whole building might be watched. She couldn't go back to her place, not that she wanted to. She would spend the night with Lanz... if he would have her.

She made her way over to the beach. It was a long walk from where she was. How would she get to Vivianne now? She would be protected after this. Should she get her? She has to be the one talking to the cops, the snitch Vito mentioned. She's the only one that knows. The thoughts kept playing and replaying, trying to find some thread, a clue to follow. She had left something undone and that was a mistake. It was always a mistake. Mistakes had consequences.

The situation shifted around in her mind like a cube, showing her all the different combinations and outcomes, as she walked. Each time it shuffled, she saw it from a new perspective. There's a way. There's always a way. The cube in her mind slowed.

Her mind forced all thoughts aside, her eyes were heavy and her legs dragged. It was a long and cruel day. She couldn't wait to see Lanz. To feel that security that came with his presence. How...normal...she felt around him.

The beach was close. She was almost there. Lanz had built a path from the street to the lot where he was building the house. There was still plenty of tree coverage to keep the house hidden, but the path helped to create a shortcut away from the sand.

As she approached, she saw a car parked ahead on the cul de sac, just under the grass dunes. Someone started walking towards it, coming out of the beach. She hid behind a tree and watched. Though her body was alert and on guard, it felt watered down. She was getting tired of all this. Not just physically, but mentally. All of this work to keep one person safe. She didn't fully weigh the long term effects of the deal and simply took her willingness into consideration, thinking that would be more than enough. Here she was complaining, yet again! I've been doing that too much lately.

A man approached the car and started stomping his feet to get the sand out. Moving to another tree, she tried to get a better look. He reached for his door, taking one more look toward the ocean, hidden behind the dunes. She stayed watching, until he drove away, then she turned her back to lean on the trunk of the tree. It was the detective. She sighed, feeling a bit suffocated. Everywhere she went tonight, there was something to threaten her, to hang above her head, to tell her she is doing everything all wrong.

She thought about the detective. Was he here about her? She stared up at the tree tops, wondering. She knew they were friends and he would often come for a visit, but today? After what had just happened back there? Coincidences were hard to believe.