Derailed

Chapter Four

His arms reached out for me as he struggled to keep his head above water. "I need you, Molly, I need you!" His anguished cries pierced me. I fought to reach him. It was like some invisible hook had me and wouldn't let me jump in after him. If I could only free myself from the hook's hold, I'd be able to save him. His head disappeared into the water just as the hook released me and sent me plummeting into the cold abyss.

I woke up screaming and covered in sweat. Confused by the complete darkness, I felt around, trying to figure out where I was. As my eyes adjusted, I remembered I was in my childhood bedroom. I was home. The red numbers on the digital clock read 4:15, and I knew I wouldn't be getting anymore sleep.

Digging through a suitcase, I found a sports bra, tank, and shorts. I tied up my running shoes before heading out the front door into the still dark morning.

I ran toward the beach, taking the route I'd always taken back when I lived at home. Running in the dark felt strange at first, so different from the constant light of the city. I liked knowing I was nearly invisible.

I couldn't shake the dream. Even the pounding of the waves failed to drown it out. I kept seeing Adam's face, his pleading eyes, and the helplessness in his voice. My feet hit the sand, and I tried to concentrate on the way the wind felt on my face. Only two miles in, I sank down, unable to run through the pain. The tightness in my chest threatened to suffocate me as I leaned back onto the damp sand. Closing my eyes, I silently begged for relief.

"Are you okay? Miss, are you hurt?" The voice startled me, and I sat up too quickly, feeling dizzy. My hands moved through the grainy sand. The rising sun told me I had fallen asleep on the beach.

I searched around for the source of the voice, but still disoriented, I accepted the outstretched hand before finding the face.

"Molly?"

"Oh, Mr. Mathews." I couldn't believe it. In town less than twelve hours and I'd been found passed out on the beach by my ex-boyfriend's father.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" He dropped my hand, but stayed close.

"Yeah, I must have fallen asleep. I'm sorry to have worried you."

"I'm just glad you're okay." His brow wrinkled with concern. "I didn't know you were home. Is your mom here too?"

"No, it's just me."

"Oh. Just taking a break before the big day then?"

Big day? It took me a minute to realize he was talking about the wedding. "Oh, no. That's not happening."

"I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm glad to see you. Does Ben know you're in town?"

"No... I don't think so; well, unless Jake told him." I held in a groan, remembering his less than amicable reception.

"You should give him a call, I'm sure he'd love to see you."

I shook my head. "I doubt that. I'm pretty sure he hates me."

"Ben could never hate you. I know my son enough to assure you of that." He smiled.

"I have seen Jake though... at Gill's last night."

"Ah, now I see. Don't listen to anything Jake says, especially if he's been drinking. He's always been particularly defensive of Ben, even though he's the younger one."

"I remember."

"Are you sure you're all right? I'm just heading over to the marina, but I can call someone."