10 minutes later and the guy who's supposed to pick us up finally shows. He arrives in a boat similar to ours, except instead of a green trim it's completely black.
"Hey, thanks for picking us up man. I know we're pretty far out." He fixes me with a pointed look. I shrug.
"No problem." His eyes linger on me for a second. "Anything for a pretty girl."
I glare at him. Guys are all the same. They think they can just pay you a compliment and bam you're in their bed. Fuckers.
This guy seems to be about are age. Maybe a couple years older. I suppose he's kind of cute with the all American blonde hair and blue eyes. Definitely not my type. Although clearly my judgement is lacking considering my past.
"Give it a rest Joe." Is it just me or is there a tinge of a annoyance in Cabe's tone. I'm probably wrong.
"Yeh yeh, I get it. I'm just trying to be friendly." He grins. I shiver. "Well anyway, hop on board." His grin seems to get wider.
Cabe gestures for me to go on first. I begin to step over the side, as I do my foot somehow manages to slip beneath me; fuck, I must be the only person who does this.
Expecting to feel the cold hard decking I'm surprised when someone grabs my arms. Warm tingles travel up and down me. I panic. Wrenching myself from him, I quickly jump over to the other boat keeping my head down. I sit down, wrapping my arms around my waist. I squeeze my eyes shut.
Get a grip Sawyer. If he didn't think you were weird before, he definitely does now. Taking a deep breath I open my eyes and lift them to meet his gaze. He staring at me curiously. Concern shines in his eyes. His friend seems to be dutifully ignoring what just happened. 'Joe' might not be so bad.
I release a shaky breath.
"You okay?" His voice is soft. Cautious.
"I'm fine." My voice is husky. I swallow down the lump in my throat. Clearing my mind from memories attempting to invade my thoughts. I shake my head, removing my eyes from his piercing gaze. They resume position of staring at the ground.
He decides to give me my space. I still feel him send me a worried glance every few minutes, but for the most part he stays talking with his friend. I'm suddenly very alone with my thoughts.
Not good.
Drowsiness starts to drug my senses. I give in.
•••
"Sawyer... wake up." My eyes slowly lift open. Blackness fills my senses. Where the hell am I? I blink, trying to adjust to the thick darkness, a large figure appears.
"Where am I? Who the hell are you?" My voice is raspy, my body seems to hurt all over. I have no recollection on how I got here.
"Now now, Sawyer. That's no way to talk to me." He slaps me. My head reels back in shock. And pain. I can vaguely make out a sadistic grin stretching across his face.
"You've had a nice long rest. Time for you to work." I begin to shake. No no no. Not me. He's coming closer and closer. My heart beat rises. I shriek.
•••
"Lilly wake up." My eyes shoot open. I'm shaking. Sweat covers me. My frantic eyes meet Cabe's very worried ones. The ice blue hypnotises me. I'm trapped in his gaze, nightmare long forgotten. Until I feel bile coming up my throat. I quickly realise we're still on the boat and lurch over the side.
I wretch and heave as the disgusting substance leaves me. It's not till I'm resting my head against the cool rubber that I feel his warm hand rubbing circles on my back. Tingles explode from where he touches. It feels good, I decide to stay like that, hoping he doesn't stop.
A voice breaks me from the trance I seemed to be stuck in.
"Well that was really fucking disgusting. At least you didn't puke on my boat. I salute you for that." I swivel round. Damn I completely forgot about this guy. Joe I think was his name. He's looking at me with curiosity and admittedly, disgust.
"Sorry." My voice is raspy. I look down.
"It's fine, but hey I think that's the first time you've actually said something. Though I do appreciate your glares. I like them feisty." He winks at me.
"Shut the fuck up Joe." Cabe glares at him. What's up with him. I shake my head. Whatever.
Joe raises his hands in mock surrender. "I was kidding. Just kidding." He emphasises his innocence.
I slightly smirk at his antics. He was a good form of distraction.
Cabe notices and lets out a slight smile. Damn. He's too good looking. I blush at my thoughts, looking away.
I clear my throat, attempting to shift his attention. "Are we almost there yet?" My voice is still a little raspy.
"Yep, probably another 10 minutes." Joe in forms me.
Cabe's still staring at me. Like he's trying to figure me out. I really don't like it. I stare back at him raising my eyebrows.
"What." My voice comes out hard, demanding.
"Nothing. You're just really beautiful." His voice is a whisper.
My eyes widen in shock. Fuck. I stare at him in disbelief. That was pretty fucking blunt.
"Oh." My voice is weak, wary. His gaze is unwavering. "Well stop. You shouldn't look at me like that." My voice comes out a little stronger.
Now it's his turn to look shocked. "Why not?" He tests me.
Because I'm damaged goods. I don't deserve to be looked at like that. I want to tell him that. I don't, I say "because... It's not right, not at all." I leave it at that. Not wanting to say anymore.
He seems perfect, way to good for someone like me.
It takes him a while to respond. I study his features. Yep, way too damn perfect. "Okay... I'll leave you alone." Defeat trickles into his features. He looks back towards Joe and resumes their conversation. Relief fills my senses. It's shortly lived as I realise I'm alone again. With my thoughts. Memories. Dread replaces that short feeling.
I can't take it. I inch up towards the two guys, hoping to listen in on their conversation. I need to be distracted. Cabe stares at me in surprise.
I ignore it, focusing hard on not thinking him.
"So I didn't get your name back there gorgeous." Cabe's friend looks at me for an answer. I ignore that last part.
"That might be because I didn't give it." My voice is hard. No point in making any more 'friends'.
Cabe lets out a snort, slapping his friend on the back. "There you go, take the hint man." Cabe's voice is joking but I sense there's a hard undertone to what he said.
Joe clearly heard it as well, judging by how he raised his eyebrow at Cabe.
I smile at his expression. He clearly can't raise one eyebrow.
Cabe notices my smile and looks a little surprised. I quickly force it away. Cabe suddenly lets out a smile, dimples and all. Eugh. How can he look so good.
I switch my attention back to Joe. He seems to be smirking at me and Cabe's exchange. I blush. Stop it Sawyer. You don't need to get into this again.
"Shouldn't you be looking ahead of you?" I question Joe.
"Probably." He quickly winks at me before turning back around. I pretend to be looking at the water ripple beneath us. Really I'm just trying to avoid conversation with Cabe. He's too curious. Even though I feel I can trust him, I know I can't. There's too much at stake.
"We're here guys." Joe's voice calls out, breaking me from my thoughts. I look ahead. Sure enough Seaside was right there. It looked a lot more intimidating than the last time I was there. But then that's hardly surprising. Everything's a hell of a lot more intimidating now.
•••
There you go. This chapter is a bit longer than the last. And thank you for reading my work. I know it's not great but I still really appreciate anyone who's read this far. :)
-Valerie
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Searching For Sawyer
Teen FictionPreviously 'Escaping Her Past' • Sawyer Evans is running away. She's running from the monster of her past. Although she may never be free. Cabe birch didn't need this in his life, he already had enough trouble, what with his parents soon gett...