Secrets And Tea

Chapter 11

Rionna closed the shop. The sound of the night made her feel relaxed. Deciding to head down to the beach she turned toward the ocean down the hill from her shop. 

She was just crossing the street when she spotted Damien walking out of the hotel carrying a paper bag under his arm.

"Mr. Montgomery? What are you doing at this hour?" Rionna asked as she approached. 

Damien looked up and she saw uncertainty in his gaze. A tiny bit of fear was there as well. She wondered what brought on that kind of reaction.

"Hey. Rionna. Um... I came to get some drinks from the bar. I had a bit of a... run in I guess you could say with something I can't understand." 

Rionna frowned, she could see that he wasn't comfortable talking about what he had just experienced. Almost like he didn't want to tell anyone.

"Come for a walk," she suggested, "I was heading down to the beach. It's a great place to get your thoughts together."

Damien hesitated then he sighed. Opening the door to his small truck, he set the booze on the seat and then locked the door and pocketed his keys.

"Lead the way," he said.

Rionna tilted her head slightly in a shrug and walked past him. The hotel he had come out of was only two blocks from her little shop. 

They were quiet as they headed down the hill. Rionna stopped to take off her shoes and socks to walk barefoot in the sand. 

The moon was in it's waning stage so it was still bright enough to light up the sandy beach but dark enough to provide a little privacy. 

The sound of a buoy chiming as it bobbed in the waves came with the wind.  The two walked along the sand with nothing but a cool breeze and the moon's light guiding them. Rionna didn't want to pressure Damien into telling her what had happened. 

They found a small spot on a rocky outcropping that gave a great view of the King's Wharf lighthouse. It's beam guiding ships that were sailing about back to shore and warning of rocky outcroppings that could sink a ship should they run into it. 

The silence was deafening. 

"Do you believe in ghosts?" Damien asked finally. 

"I do, most, if not all of us here on Witch's Island believe in ghosts," stated Rionna.

"I think I saw Thomas's ghost today," Damien said quickly, "He showed up at my house. Sat down and talked to me."

Rionna nodded, "I thought his spirit is still around despite the Rite of Passing having taken place."

Damien sighed, "He is worried about you. He asked me to do something I am not comfortable with but seems adamant that I do this so he can move on." 

"Strange, what could he possible have asked of you? I am slowly recovering from my grief of his death," she said thoughtfully. 

"I don't feel like sharing that part," he said, "I agreed to it, but I am not sure how the affected party would feel about it."

"Hmmm... well I don't know how to help you there," declared Rionna, "I would say just feel things out. If Thomas asked you to do something to help him move on, then he is making sure things are settled before he fully moves on."

Damien nodded, it was sound advice and didn't pressure him at all. He just hoped that Thomas would understand. 

"Maybe talk to Abigail? She is more used to working with spirits. She might be able to give you insight on what to do."

"I never even thought of that. Truthfully, I still think I'm just losing my mind. That Thomas didn't really appear. It's a little unnerving. I'm used to humans but not other worldly things like ghosts  and goblins."

"It takes a bit to get used to for non-believers. Which is why most never think to make a home here. They come for the season then go home afterwards because the spooky stuff just gets a little too much. When you lived on the island your whole life, it seems normal."

"Thanks. I appreciate you listening to me. At least it eases my fears about being looked at like I lost my damn mind."

"Anytime." 

Rionna looked at her watch, "I have to head home. Thanks for coming to sit with me. If you see Thomas again. Just tell him what you told me. I'm sure he will understand your hesitation despite you agreeing to it."

Damien stood and helped her stand, "I'll tell him." 

They walked back up the hill. Damien got in his truck and drove home while Rionna went to the parking lot behind the shop to get her little car.