Her Protector (On Hold)

Prologue

It was a light, crystal morning on the shores of Riverstone Beach, California. The salty, ocean water was clear and calm; a soft breeze brushed its way along the coastline as it slid into the cracks of silent neighborhoods. Among these reverent streets was a tall woman in her mid forties rushing along the chilled concrete roads like a shadow, having only one destination in mind; The Surf Shack. 

Marriott Shilou was a woman of success; a woman of determination and discipline. Her big shot career as a personal marketing advisor for many famous movie companies and celebrities launched her into one of the most highest paying jobs out there. Not to mention that she had her own fitness magazine, which was just as successful as she was. Her daily yoga and exercise classes maintained her fit, skinny frame and also posed as an example and coach to one of the world's most unexpected celebrities; her daughter and surfing legend, Calypso. 

Many people knew Marriott Shilou all across the popular California vacation town she and her daughter resided in. Despite being a busy, single mother who was burdened with the large tasks of a well paying job and a celebrity child, she was a very enjoyable person to be around. Her humble aura drew people to her instantly. Marriott was one of the happiest people alive and it seemed to the entire world that her life was perfect and simple...

But she hid a secret. A deep secret that only one other person knew about; one that had been following her since the day she and her husband separated.  

Anxious and far from feeling pleasant and relaxed, Marriott swiftly made her way across the sandy boardwalk over to a very large and recently renovated concession stand that sat only a few feet away from the boarded walkway. Marriott had no time to notice the new wooden polish that was beautifully coated onto the exterior walls of the stand nor could she even point out the upgraded decorations and stools that quietly stood in front of the broad granite countertop. No. There was much to discuss and no time to waste. 

"Jack?" She called out, peeking inside the darkened shack in search for her friend. 

Jackson Nichols. 

He had been Marriott's closest friend since the day she and her ex husband moved to Riverstone Beach. He was a man in his late thirties by now with a large, muscular body frame and long brown hair that he frequently pulled back into a ponytail. He was the one and only owner of The Surf Shack and absolutely loved the sea. It's part of the reason why he and Marriott got along so well. But he, too, harbored the same secret which stirred like acid in Marriott's stomach. Time was running out and who better to turn to than her best friend?

After a few impatient moments had passed, Jack's head slowly peeped around the corner, a confused demeanor written upon his sleepy face. His deep, chocolate eyes met Marriott's anxiously sea green ones as he stepped up to the counter to face his lifelong friend.

"Marriott? What're you doing here? Today's the big day! Shouldn't you be at home with Calypso right now?" He asked her sincerely, trying to figure out why on earth she would be here at such an early hour of the morning, especially on a day like this one!

"I know it is. That's what I wanted to come talk to you about," she said strictly, keeping her voice down low in case any uninvited guest were to eavesdrop. It was a very sensitive topic indeed. 

Jack let out a hefty sigh, instantly recognizing the subject she was referring to,"I realize you must be nervous-"

"Nervous?" She interrupted, her voice cracking a bit from the anxiety she held within her. Her frantic eyes looked about her surroundings for a moment before turning back to Jack again."Nervous is an understatement, Jack! Don't you even realize how dangerous today can be for my daughter?" 

"I am fully well aware of what could happen, Marriott. I've been watching her all this time, remember?" The man replied wearily. Despite his weary and uninterested tone, deep down he was just as scared as Marriott and she knew it. He didn't want to think about the possibilities of what could go wrong, but he had to start. It was his duty after all...This wasn't something he would've been able to push away forever.

Marriott took in a deep breath,"Do you think we should tell her?" 

"No." Jack replied quickly. "If Calypso found out, she won't be able to focus on the competition today. This is the most important day of her life as far as her surfing career goes! She can't have any distractions such as this to worry about. Mary, she has her entire future ahead of her! Why bother her with this crap now of all days?" 

"I know, I know...." Marriott replied, taking a seat in one of the bamboo bar chairs lining the shack counter. "I just want her to be okay, Jack. She's twenty two years old now and technically, she shouldn't even have been here this long. She should've been taken away five years ago and yet she's still here. I don't think that they would've kept her out here untouched for so long without a purpose to it." 

"Well, whatever that purpose is, we can't worry about it. Especially not now. It's not our job nor our business to. Just focus on the competition today. Calypso always detects when you're stressed and today is not the day for her to be worried about you." Jack replied firmly. "If she wins, she might actually have a chance at a normal life." 

"She will never have that, Jack," Marriott said sadly. "And you know that." 

Jack's face dropped in response,"I know, Mary...She's like a daughter to me. Ever since she was born, I've always tried my best to make sure that she stayed safe and happy. It just kills me to see that her time as a normal person will have to come to an end." 

"A normal life won't be the only thing she's at risk of losing, Jack." Marriott replied distantly, her tone dropping even further as fear edged her last words. 

"Then what do you suggest we do if we can't tell Calypso?" Jack snapped, his patience growing thin as his best friend's demeanor began to sulk. "We won't be of any help to her if we sit here and mourn all morning! Tell me, Marriott, can you really try to control this situation? Do you really think you have the strength and skill to go against the enemy here? I don't want to discourage you, but we both knew that this day would eventually have to come! I, of course, will do everything I can to ensure Calypso's safety, but you have to come to terms that you can't do anything about what's going to happen even if it kills you." 

Marriott's gaze dropped to the ground. Jack was right. He always was. He had been around all these years to help protect and raise her, but even his job was supposed to be temporary. Marriott didn't have the strength needed to fight off those who would come for her daughter despite the good shape she was in. It was far beyond mortal strength to take down those who would come soon and all she could be able to do was to run or stand and watch. If she were to try to interfere, she'd surely be killed in the process. 

"Okay, then what do you suggest that I do?" Marriott asked, tears gathering into the corner of her green eyes. 

"Just be there for her," Jack said. "That's all we really can do at this point." 

All Marriott could do was nod before tears began to slip down her cheek.