Wait for me...

Chapter 8: So you're saying I'm being stalked by smoke? What a fan club.

Chapter 8: So you’re saying that I’m being stalked by smoke? What a fan club.

They had to come back. They said they would. They wouldn’t dare leave me alone here. They’re my friends. My only friends. I glanced down at the waves that grew with every minute passing by. Deep, dark blue water pulled back to reveal the jagged rocks for a few seconds before a wave larger than the last crashed over them. They have to come back.

Lightning illuminated the ocean once more and rain poured down on me. I tugged at my sleeves, trying to block out the wind, and pulled over the hood of my jacket. The storm overhead thundered and I glanced around. They have to be back soon.

The minutes ticked by slowly as the lightning struck once more, illuminating a tiny boat. They were coming back. They were going to be safe. My heart lifted. Joy. They were safe. They were going to be back soon, and we were all going to be safe and happy at Everett’s house.

I turned towards the dock, ready to run down and meet them. But something kept me rooted to the spot. Something didn’t seem right. I didn’t know what. Maybe it was the wind that kept howling around me, as if I was in the middle of a tornado. Thunder sounded, closer and louder than before. Light illuminated the sky once more. One. One second between the lightning and thunder. I stayed where I was and stared at them. The boat was riding the waves madly, uncontrolled. A bit like… it wasn’t working. My right hand strayed towards my pocket, I slipped it in and my fingers grasped at the cool metal. Something kept me from taking my hand out with my phone. The waves rose higher as the boat drew closer to the rocks. It wasn’t heading the right way.

They couldn’t hear me if I screamed, they wouldn’t be able to. There was no way to tell them they were going towards the rocks. There was something wrong with them. Why didn’t they change course? You could probably see the rocks in front of you; hear the waves crash against the coarse, jagged stone. The lights were off on the boat. There was no glow from the cabin and they couldn't see. What’s happening? Why aren’t they turning on the lights? They should have them on this late…

The water drew away from the rocks, pulling away farther than ever. It left behind fish, seaweed and revealed its sharp, sharp surface. Rocks and barnacles that could slice through flesh. The waves lifted Everett’s boat high into the air, bringing it down again as quickly as it rose. It was being battered by the waves and by now, the rocks would’ve been visible to anyone of them on the boat. They were too close. I couldn’t help them. Fear. Terror. A scream tore through the air. Holly’s scream. It got me moving again as she cried out once more for help. I slowly withdrew my hand from my pocket, heart beating frantically.

“Jesse!”

 

I shook myself to consciousness. A few days had passed since we last tried to contact it. A few days from the silent agreement to never contact it again and it had disappeared from our lives. Naomi had emerged from the hospital just yesterday with scars and bruises, but alive. Alive.

Glancing around, I heard the clock ticking in silence of my room. Well almost silence. Jo was still here and still snoring. Nathan, Everett and Lucca had crashed in the guest room. Literally crashed. Mum had been out on a business trip for the past week, ever since school had ended. She worked hard for the both of us to live well. My eyes gradually closed, as I grew even more tired, yet I could not sleep. The presence had done that. The nightmares had done that. The fear had done that. Fear and worry.

A soft and hesitant knocking came from downstairs. An uneven pace, fast then slow. I swung my legs over the side of my bed and let my toes touch the floor. Who is it? I sat there for a minute, contemplating whether I should get up or stay there. Whatever it was knocked rapidly three more times before I decided to get up and walk downstairs.