The Game of A Life Time

Chapter 34- Hallucinate

* WARNING*

There is a topic in this chapter that can be triggering to some and there is information that is not 100 percent correct, I have altered it to fit the storyline.  

The morning coffee sits well in my hand as I walk along the sandy beach. The waves lightly crash against the shore while the birds fly over the water looking for food.

Small children chase each other along the water as their parents hold their shoes from getting wet. I can see the smiles across their faces as if there are no worries in the world.

Sand crushes between my toes from the lack of shoes. I left them behind in the car this morning wanting to feel the earth beneath me. Soft pellets curve over my food bone and down in between my naked toes with each step I take.

Birds swoop down a few feet away from me, I stop to admire their colors. Since being here, bird watching has been my newest hobby other than reassuring Carter that I am fine.

Red head birds with orange flames going down to the chest chirp on the ground. One of them looks at me giving me a head nod and flies away up to the sky again.

Animals have always been drawn to me, some run and hide, and others tend to be curious about me. My curse and abilities have that effect on animals and some people.

Small bundles of clouds cover the sun rising for a moment and letting rays of sun through that hit the beach. The warm spots bring me peace for a moment before I have to step on the cold sand to get to the sidewalk where Carter s waiting for me.

Walking up to him, I feel guilt build up in my chest. His eyes are sunken in, his face is pale, and his clothes look bigger on him. I know I haven't been the best with my health, but Carter is taking too much time with me. He needs to help himself before me.

His eye cages me in without blinking away from the sun. The light fixes his eyes perfectly when I block his view. He smiles at me taking my hand. His coffee is in the other.

"The 'Apapane bird are gorgeous, aren't they?" Carter asks me.

I nod slightly looking at the birds in the sky, "I love their vibrant colors."

"Mm- they are the most widespread birds that Hawaii has." Carter points to one of them standing on the shoreline, "they can mostly be spotted on all of the islands."

He kisses my cheek, "we should get going."

We walk three blocks back to the car while drinking our coffee. The Jeep is running, ready for us to get in to leave.

"Last night, before I woke up, I talked to Belle and Kylie. They called me because a spirit came to Belle and wanted to give us a message."

I rolled my eyes, "what message would that be?"

"That I am a murderer? Or a backstabbing bitch?" He doesn't like my tone, "no."

He takes out his phone and types a few things in, an article pops up with information regarding Mr.Lake and his associate.

His thumb scrolls down a few pages and he reaches the part he wants to show me, "after a spree of murders along the High Point hiking trail, law enforcement has found evidence connecting to a sex trafficking ring located on the mainland."

"There were two arrests last night regarding the evidence found. The surveillance team spotted men named Bill Lake and Caleb Downs in a white pickup truck by the main port." Carter peaks at me and continues to read, "they have not said anything to the police yet, however, they both have contacted their lawyer."