The Recluse of Ocado Cove

Chapter 1

I walked out of the convenience store with my bag of products in hand, and a lot of conflict in my head. There was a part of me that was longing for something more, for adrenaline, unknown territory, cuts in my knees. However I could never ignore the other part, somewhere in my brain, making my chest tighten and my heartbeat pick up at the simple thought of getting lost. Not taking my medication made it harder for me sometimes. But I was willing to take the risk rather than swallow those pills everyday. Still, for emergency, the orange compartment was left in the bathroom cabinet back at the house.

That night, I took a lot. Probably too much. And the universe had a plan to make me regret it for the rest of my life.

I awoke, immediately sitting up in my bed, heartbeat loud in my ears. Practically gasping for air, I felt my entire body covered in a cold sweat. Images were resurfacing in my head, glimpses of shadows, darkness... So much darkness, I could barely see what was right in front of me. I remember barely perceiving the trees and the water under me when I felt myself sinking, painfully slowly. Somehow, my body wouldn't move. I remember panicking without being able to do anything about it.

But mostly, I remember noticing a figure coming out of the shadows as I was drowning.

I remember realizing it was my dad.

"I have to go back." I whispered to myself.

—

The next day, after barely getting any sleep, I went outside. I blinked a few times, trying my best to stay focused on my task: finding something to use to go back to the island. I couldn't steal the family boat, it was too big and I didn't know how to drive it. I found myself yawning for the fifth time since I got up, even though the day was just starting.

It's going to be a long one indeed.

I took a quick look at the shed before climbing the stairs, and walking in. The door was halfway opened. Or halfway closed, who knows. I looked around, smelling what was probably rotten wood and a few dead rodents. There didn't seem to be anything of use, at least not for me. Chainsaw, wood, broken chairs, stubbed cigarettes on the floor, weird stains I didn't want to look at too much. I found oars, but no trace of any embarcation of some sort.

Wandering around, I found things hiding behind a wall that I thought drew the end of the shed. It seemed pretty large, a dirty white drape covering it. I took a chance and removed it: under it was an old metal canoe. I lit up immediately...

There's my solution.

I ended up taking one of the many oars laying around. One that wasn't broken, or at least one that still seemed usable. I was beginning to drag the canoe down the hill when none other than my cousin stepped outside. Malina. Even though we were around the same age, her and I never really got along when we grew up. She was the stuck up kind, always looking for a reason to be mad at people. Well, mostly at me, I assume.

Malina sipped on her can of juice through a straw as she stared at me. "Where' you going with that ?"

"None of your business." I grumbled. If I had frozen when I saw her, I was now back to moving the canoe.

"Just saying... I'm gonna tell mom." she threatened childishly.

I scoffed. "'Ts a good thing she's not my mom."

"It doesn't matter," she crossed her arms, "she's gonna tell Lisa."

I paused, sighing as I left my canoe on the ground for a second to walk up to her. "Look, Mal," I began.

"Don't call me that." she bitterly interrupted.

I frowned at her. "You don't have to be such a bitch, you know. I just wanted to look around the river for a bit."