Saving Elliot ©2015 Sydney Wray

Chapter 23-Mabel

I stepped out of the car, more sure of this one than any other bullet Hailey had written. For instance, no one my age was near.

"Excuse me," I asked a woman carrying a paddle board, "I'm volunteering today."

The woman brightened, her Botox-stained skin stretching into a grin. "Great! The sign-in desk is over there."

I followed her pointed finger, "Thank you."

Once I trudged over the hot sand to the tent, I scribbled down my name and received instructions from a girl my age.

"The kids are down there. Now, they're going to be nervous. Your job is to calm them down, and just put them on the boards."

I nodded. Easy enough.

She handed me a neck tag, and my name was written in a familiar handwriting.

I stard at it, squinting and realizing a certain horror.

Wildly, I looked up and around. It was Hailey's handwriting.

"Um, excuse me.." I trailed off, biting my lip and looking at the girl giving me instructions, "Do you know if these were written today?"

She shook her head, her blond hair swaying in its ponytail, "They were all written a couple weeks ago."

The girl gave me a smile before returning to the sign-in desk.

I ripped open the tag, pulling out my name. There had to me more than this. Had to be.

I flipped it over, but nothing else was inscribed on the blank piece of paper. But then, my fingers mysteriously grazed over a fold held together by tape.

I nearly ripped it open, my stomach jumping as it started to unfold. Hailey's handwriting was written in perfect, bubbly letters.

It read: I knew you could do it.

She knew I could do it? Well, what was that supposed to mean? I was expecting some sort of cliché map-telling me where to find her.

But all that was there was a simple encouragement. But, strangely, it was enough to keep me going.

I folded it back up with a half-smile, tucking it into my name tag.

I pulled my Ray Bans on, "Let's go."

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Aw, come on sweetie," I cooed to the autistic little girl, "It's really fun."

Mabel shook her head stubbornly, "No."

I sighed. I had been trying to get her on the board for the past thirty minutes.

"Elliot?" A voice said behind me.

I turned.

The same boy from a few nights ago cringed, "God, I hope that was your name."

I laughed, "That's my name. Alex, right?"

He nodded, then glanced at the little girl next to me. "Having trouble?"

I clenched my jaw, only showing Alex my irritation. "Only for the past thirty minutes."

Alex laughed. "Mind if I try?"

"Go for it."

I watched Alex crouch down to Mabel, reaching eye level. "Hi, honey."