high tide (J.M)

Batteries

Nearly a month had passed since the group had paid Arlo a visit and things were beginning to feel different. The group made a point of waving to Arlo or saying hi to her in public. Kiara followed the girl on social media and tried to see if she wanted to hang out but she never received a response.

The whole group found themselves curious when it came to her. And yet, she seemingly paid them no attention.

The group were preparing for hurricane Agatha with their own families, at least some of them were.

Meanwhile Arlo was helping board up the glass storefront windows of Benji's and helping checkout crazed customers. The girl's mother had been blowing up her phone asking her to get off early, at least she cared about Arlo sometimes.

"Um, ma'am could you direct me to where the batteries are."

Arlo recognized the voice and turned around to see Heyward and Pope.

"Of course sir, batteries will be aisle three on the right side towards the back. Is there anything else I can do to be of service?" Arlo smiled.

"No, that'll be all. Thank you Arlo." Heyward smiled sweetly before walking away.

"Bye Pope." Arlo said with a nod.

This caught him off guard. He had never actually heard Arlo say his name.

"Oh uh"-

But Arlo was already gone by the time he spoke.

About two hours passed and Mr Marlin (AKA Benji) told Arlo she could go home. Of course she took the opportunity to leave work, but she didn't actually go home.

The girl had business to take care of.

While the girl drove in her beat down, yellow Ford bronco she kept the windows down to let the air in. Arlo stuck her hand out, feeling the way it cut through the wind at certain angles.

Although she didn't like the outcome of storms and hurricanes, she loved the salty earth smell that came before them. It was her favorite smell, maybe because it was so different from Cinnamon.

• • •

John B and Pope were exhausted and had just finished surfing. The storm was so bad, the waves were practically taller than the houses and trees, at least that's what it seemed like.

"Wait." Pope said and stuck his arm out to block John B.

"What now man?" John B yelled over the  wind and Pope put his finger up, signalling for him to be quiet.

Pope pointed out to the figure probably 100 feet away that was down the beach.

John B squinted to see better before realizing it was Arlo.

"Is she crazy?" Pope said.

They realized the girl was burying a small cylinder item. It looked like it was metal, almost like a water bottle but they couldn't see well enough to be sure. They stood still and watched her roll a rock over the spot where she buried the item.

She looked up and the boys quickly ducked hoping she hadn't seen them, although she most definitely had.

Her heart dropped for a second wondering how much they saw. But she didn't have the time to stay and worry.

Arlo jogged back to her car and hurried home. She parked her car in the garage beside her mother's own.

After grabbing her bag and things from her car she hurried inside. She was silent and stepped on the floor boards that she knew weren't creaky all the way to the steps. She was on the third step, successful in silence.

Until the strap of her backpack suddenly snapped and took a harsh fall.

"Arlo?" Her mother said.

Arlo cringed and picked up the bag.

"Yes mom."

"Come to the kitchen." Her mother's voice was solid and stern.

Arlo silently walked to the kitchen.

"What's up?"

"Where were you?" Her mother said.

"At work, why?" Arlo lied without a second thought.

"Really? Because I called Benji's and they said you got off over an hour ago. Lie again Arlo." Her mother gritted the last two words.

"Okay fine, I went to the library after to help Mr Sullivan. I didn't want to tell you because I knew you would get mad." Arlo lied again.

"You're damn right I'm mad. You act like I'm stupid, I should whoop your ass!" Her mom's voice grew loud.

"I'm sorry mo"-

"Shut up Arlo. Go to your damn room." He mom said holding the bridge of her nose.

"But mom"-

Before Arlo finished her sentence her mother gripped her wrist and twisted it causing Arlo to gasp at the pain that shot through her.

"Go to your god damn room and stay there for the rest of the night." Her mother gritted before letting go of Arlo.

The girl instantly hurried up the steps and to her room. She was careful not to be too loud or slam the door knowing it would only fuel her mother's rage.

Arlo realized her mother had pulled the shutters closed to protect her windows, leaving the room dark and cold

Exhausted the girl dropped her bag beside her bed before laying down.

"I hate this place."