Horror of Ocean Shores

Horror of Ocean Shores Part One

Polyurethane wheels on pavement had a specific sound. To some people it was grating and a sign of upcoming annoyances, to the preteens it was a sound of adventure. The scrape of skateboards and roller skates careening down sidewalks and roadways was white noise to the locals, the squad of kids weaving through the crowds of adults who most often just sighed and raised an elbow, as not to break a small child's nose from an accidental impact.
The braver kids would leap with board or skates on to bounce or grind off the safety rails. Thin metal  rails being the only force between them and the hungry ocean below.
The ocean crashed on the beach, the salt in the wind was a taste of home to locals. The gull caws in the distance and the fat ones on the boardwalk waddling for food scraps, only flapping away seconds before getting pushed.
Fearless and wreckless, leading the charge, was Otto, an 11 year old, Polynesian, athletic all star. He'd already made cover shots for a few extreme sports magazines, had his own decal line, and was recognized by strangers as he barreled through crowds on his skateboard, though he often ignored their call outs to him. He kept his focus on the road, the rails, and picnic tables prime for pulling tricks off of.
Fellow skaters would hold out items to sign, sometimes Otto would, more often he wouldn't. He was focused on the road, the weaves necessary to cut through the tourists, the shoobies. He'd curl down as he shot under arms, or take a hairpin turn to dodge a large man with his picnic basket.
It was hot out today, he could feel his red dreads smoldering under his signature helmet and he ignored the paining sweat stings building around his glasses. His tunnel vision mindset was landing some new tricks and landing the old ones he felt he was already a master of.

Trailing effortlessly, was his older sister Reggie. She preferred roller blades over the skateboard and could often be seen doing a flip or corkscrew twist before or after her tricks. She was only a year older than Otto but would dictate or converse as though she was much older. Another child star from a family that seemed to pool all their genetic wealth into the two kids. Reggie led a very popular, self published magazine about the happenings around the island and updates on the crew's latest ventures.
She was rarely seen without her safety pads, her dyed purple hair either tucked in a helmet or a swim cap. She would call out to Otto telling him to watch out as she watched her younger brother nearly crash into another tourist with dual chili dogs in hand. Otto leapt over the dogs as Reggie swerved under the man's arms and apologized as she sped by.
The man shouted a curse, only to be hip bumped by the third member in tow with a video camera in hand. The camcorder practically glued to his face and hand, he had the filming balance of a god. He sped after the siblings on a pair of roller blades,  his squeaky voice calling out complements and ideas for stunts. It wasn't until he was yards away that he found a chunk of chili dog hitched a ride on his helmet, sauce had splattered the small wisp of hair he always let escape his helmet. Twister made an 'mmm’ as he stuffed the dog in his mouth and ducked just in time to dodge a man unloading boards from his car. The man cursed as Twister simply smiled and waved back at the man.

Apologizing profusely and struggling to keep up with the three was the last of the group. Sam “Squid” Dullard, the largest of the three and the clumsiest but for what he lacked in athleticism he made up for with smarts and being the most tech savvy individual on the island. He was wobblier than any noob should ever be on wheels but his determination to keep up with his friends pushed him through. He was also the more conservative of the four, his hair was in a trimmed buzz cut, his clothes were always clean, and he replaced most street lingo with polite and correct terminology, especially if adults were present. He couldn't even see Otto but he could see a shadowed form of Reggie and could hear Twisters creaky voice easily so he knew he wasn't lost.

They were nearing the end of town, the people were clearing out and the sidewalks grew more rough as did the roads with more potholes.

“Otto, where are we going? We didn't bring our bikes!” Reggie shouted already annoyed by how little Otto would tell them this morning.