Cerulean Found

Chapter 27 - Legends and Lore

"Josh, what are you doing here man? Don't you work today?" a male voice calls out, interrupting my thoughts about mermaids and Josh's parents.

I turn around and see two young guys walking towards us. They both have a very similar look. Tan skin and dark hair. I'd guess they are related. One of the boys is tall and has long dreadlocks that are tied behind his head. The other boy, who is significantly shorter and younger looking, has a buzzcut and wears thick framed glasses. When they notice me, puzzled expressions draw across their faces.

"Are you the reason he isn't at work?" the taller boy asks with a smile. "Uh," I look at Josh for help. "Yes, she is the reason I had to take a personal day," he replies with a chuckle.

"Well, if I had to work, I would have taken today off too if it meant I could spend it with you," the shorter boy quips as he sits down next to me on the wooden picnic table. "You don't even have a job," the taller boy remarks, taking a seat next to Josh. "I said if I had to work," the shorter boy states with a laugh.

"Mila, this is Jeremiah and Jordan. They're brothers," Josh says, introducing us. "Hey what's up?" Jordan, the taller brother asks. "Hello," I reply, sheepishly.

"How come I've never seen you around here before?" Jeremiah asks. "I'm just here for the summer. I'm visiting my grandparents," I state. "They live in Villa de la Sirena," Josh adds.

"No way, you're staying there?" Jeremiah asks with excitement. I notice two dimples in his cheeks as he smiles. His features appear very boyish. He doesn't look to be any older than 14. "Yeah, why?" I ask, wondering how people actually knew of the house.

"That place is a dump," Jeremiah proclaims. "Was a dump," Josh corrects. "Mila's grandparents spent the past year or so fixing it up. It's amazing what they've done."

"Really? I didn't know anyone had bought the property after Joaquin," Jordan states. "Huh? What do you mean?" I ask. "The storm... The house was totally destroyed after hurricane Joaquin back in the 90's" Jordan says.

"I know what you mean, I've seen the photos of the house right after the storm, it wasn't pretty," I say, with a smile.

"Isn't that the place where that girl who disappeared lived?" Jeremiah asks. "What girl?" I reply. I gaze at Josh who looks uncomfortable. I wonder if he knew about this. Judging by his distant gaze, I bet he did. He looks at his two friends and then at me before speaking.

"Way back, there was a young girl who lived there with her parents. It was so strange, first the mother went missing. And then a few summers later the daughter disappeared." Josh explains. "You mean her mom left husband and then the daughter ran away, probably in search of her mom?" I ask.

"Mila, where can you run on an island?" Josh replies. "So what happened to her?" I challenge. "No one knows," Jeremiah states.

"Her father said she went to bed that night like normal. A few hours later he said that he heard something loud out front and went up to investigate. He found the iron gate swung open.He had closed it with a key earlier in the night, like he did every night. He rushed to check on his daughter and her bedroom door was open. Her bed was unmade and she was gone," Jeremiah dramatically says.

A shiver rushes through my body. "No one knew what happened to her. This is a quiet island with hardly any crime. Of course someone could have snuck in and kidnapped her. But after a few days her father insisted that that wasn't the case. He said that he found something in her room and believed that she left on her own accord. That there was a boy she left with. No one really believed him because his story seemed so far-fetched. She left in the middle of the night in only her pajamas," Jordan explains.