Ari and Zac

Chapter 23: The Siren's Song

Chapter 23: The Siren's Song

Something was wrong. Seriously wrong. Zac had felt the wrongness in his gut from the moment he laid eyes on Ari's text message. He'd been standing around the rental house with Cy and Grandfather when the message came through, and he'd raced out the back door without pausing to explain, heading in the direction of the boardwalk. He fired off a response as he went.

Zac: I hate swimming. Where are you right now?

Ari had yet to answer, and the silence only confirmed his fears. There was no way that skinny-dipping message came from Ariel Callahan, the shyest girl he'd ever met.

It was a trap. It had to be. Ari was in trouble. The Counter-Disruption were using her to get to him. Zac's only thought was to find her and get her out of harm's way, even if it meant putting his own ass on the line.

He hustled toward the oceanfront, blending in as best he could with the throngs of beachgoers heading the same direction. It occurred to him as he half-walked, half-ran that he should pause to collect his wits, consider his strategy... At least he had the presence of mind not to race up the steps to the elevated boardwalk, where the Counter-Disruption agents patrolled all day long in groups of three or four. He headed for the shadows beneath wooden walkway, and texted again—this time to a different number. Lucy.

Zac: Have you seen Ari?

Lucy: I'm at work. Text her yourself.

Zac: She isn't answering. Do you know where she is?

There was a long pause before Lucy responded. When she did, her answer only heightened his alarm.

Lucy: That's weird.

Zac: What's weird? What???

Lucy: She just stopped texting me, too.

Zac: What? When?

Lucy: A few minutes ago. She's not answering now.

Zac: SHIT

Lucy: What's going on?

Zac: What was the last thing she said to you?

Lucy: Um... No comment ;)

Zac: Lucy I'm not joking around. This is important!

Another pause. Zac's patience was fading fast. He, cursed under his breath as he texted Lucy again.

Zac: Lucy?

Zac: LUCY! WTF?

Lucy: OMG chill! I have customers! I'm sure she's fine. Sometimes she does this.

Zac: Does what?

Lucy: She gets anxiety or whatever. Stops texting mid-conversation. It doesn't mean anything.

Zac: Do you know where she is?

Lucy: Probably at home.

Zac: Where?

Lucy: You don't know where our house is?

Zac: DUDE JUST TELL ME

Lucy: Wow. So intense! You're really into her, huh?

Zac: I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS

Lucy: OK OK OK. Go get her, lover boy. Last house on the waterfront, south end of the boardwalk. You can't miss it. It's the biggest house in town.