Run

Chapter Thirty-Nine

"Thank you so much!" My voice carries over the somewhat crowded sidewalk as I call to the couple who just paid me. They barely hear me as they admire their drawing.

Alex steps up with drink in hand to give to me, "People here seem... Less chatty."

I widen my eyes and shrug in agreement. Alex seems better, the past week we've been here his mood has definitely been flip flopping but it's been better than when we first got here.

We spent that second day in our room. I mostly watched tv while Alex slept. Even though he was still tired after taking a day to rest, he insisted on letting me draw. It's been a little over a week since we got here, but even with the fluctuating moods, Alex seems to be ok.

"How much longer do you want to stay?" He asks as I look at the water to see the setting sun.

"I think it's fair to call it a night. Do you want to go eat?"

He shrugs, "Sure, back to the ferry landing?" We had quickly learned that the little place with all the shops and small beach was called the ferry landing and people took boats across the water instead of driving over the bridge or taking a bus.

I nod as we pack up my stuff. As I'm putting it all away I see all the drawings of Alex in my bag, the drawings him still asleep and the drawings of him and the devil and him being controlled. Part of me hates them, especially knowing how much it would hurt him to see some of them. I can't get rid of them though, no matter how hard I try to convince myself to throw them away, I always end up keeping them.

"You seemed to do pretty good today," Alex comments as we walk from the beach to the bus stop.

I only shrug. People tip less here, so Alex convinced me to charge more, I charge $15 for single or two people portraits, $20 for three or more. No one seems to be surprised so the price so I just go with it.

"I just wish I had more hours of sunlight to work. I want to send my mom as much as I can."

His smile is gentle and comforting, "Just wait, one day you're art will be so big you won't know what to do with all the money you'll make."

I don't say anything. My head aches and my stomach feels like stone. Something feels wrong. I'm not sure if it's just Alex's mood swings or my own exhaustion but it's something I'm hoping will just go away.

I don't say anything as we get on the bus. Nor do I say anything on the way to the ferry landing or when we eat. I feel... Watched.

Something isn't right.

Looking over to Alex, I see him standing by the trash can pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Are you ok?" I ask as I step closer and put my hand on his arm.

He doesn't look at me, all he does is wave me off and stand there. Not wanting to push, I step away and walk to the little beach by the pier.

Alex got me some cheap, white flip flops the other day. I feel very exposed in my high waisted shorts and my short sleeved shirt, and of course without my traditional boots. I slip out of the flip flops and let the sand run between my toes. It feels odd but comforting, the sand is still warm as the last bit of visible sun slips below the horizon.

Over the past week, I've developed a bit of a tan. I never realized how pale I was until I saw the difference between my tan skin and normal skin. The past week or so, I've felt like someone different. Alex and I both seem different. The only question is, is it a good different?

I jump at the feeling of hands on my shoulders. Alex doesn't even flinch at my reaction.

"We should go." His voice is dull and lifeless again.