Evanescent (on hold)

Chapter 7

I woke up with a splitting headache. My brain felt like it was pounding on the inside of my skull and, to top it all off, I felt vomit bubbling up my throat.

Forcing it down, I searched my thoughts for any recollection of what could've possibly happened last night. I'm guessing that I drank at least a couple of beers or some shots last night because of the obvious sensation of hangover.

I was at the legal age to drink, but I'd vowed never to drink alcohol. Ever. It's a moral thing rather than a religious thing, though, so don't get the wrong idea.

What could've made me drink so much last night? I wondered as I forced myself out of bed.

I washed up, changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt to go running after breakfast. I felt my stomach rumble again, threatening to explode, so I ran to the toilet and threw up.

At least I feel a little better.

I pushed myself up and marched downstairs, determined to find out what happened last night.

"Hey, babe." Ashton greeted, putting his arm around me once I'd sat down at the glass table outside on the porch. 

"Shut up." I snapped, pushing him away from me.

Everyone blanked, but I noticed that Jairo hadn't even acknowledged my prescence. He usually tells everyone good morning.  He didn't have anything on his plate except for a slice of bread and was nursing a mug of coffee that I knew was dark roast, black with no cream or sugar. He always liked the bitter taste.

"Jade, what's wrong?" Ashton asked, stroking my hair and brought my gaze back to him.

I pulled away again. "I got drunk last night. That's what."

"Everyone did. Don't you remember?"

It was like he didn't even remember my vow to myself.

"No, Ash! I don't remember anything from last night!" I spoke with a sharp tone, like glass that was about to shatter.

"Well, it was pretty epic." Rhett remarked. "And it got a little steamy between you two, the way Ashton's bed was shaking last night and he wouldn't let us in our room." He pointed to us and his expression spoke the words I was afraid to hear.

I shrieked instantly, slapped Ashton across his face. The contact rang a loud snap that brought even Jairo's attention to us.

I ran down the porch stairs to the beach with tears streaming down my cheeks and started running. Running as fast as I had never run before. I ran from Ashton and from me breaking my vow and possibly losing my virginity last night instead to my husband. I ran from Jairo and his sudden stoic posture that wasn't anything like him. My feet pounded the packed sand. The water kept wiping away my footprints, keeping me from being found. I didn't even have shoes on. I knew it was irresponsible for me to be acting this way, but I didn't care. All I could hear was the crash and rise of the waves. All I could see was red.

A voice called after me. It had a deep tone, suggesting that it was a man chasing after me. I instantly thought it was Ashton coming to take me back, but I didn't want anything to do with him. My legs started to burn. The tears were whisked off by the ocean breeze. I didn't stop to turn around. I kept running, my eyes fixed to the dock at the part of the island closest to the mainland.

I couldn't think straight, but I felt my body start to tremble and I knew that I wouldn't be able to go much farther.

The voice kept calling to me, closer now.

The fear of being caught and reeled back to him scared me and I pushed on, determined to stay away from him this time.

I just want to go home. Take me home, please. Someone. Anyone.

My feet started to hurt from the rocky sand as I neared the dock.

The voice was even closer now and sounded like he was gaining on me. I pushed aside the pain and summoned a jolt of energy from within myself and sprinted for the dock one last time. I could hide behind a boat or something once I got there. If I get there before he catches me, that is.

I hit the deck hard, taking a mad dash for a shade behind a huge yacht, twisting through the different watercraft that were docked there.

The maze of ropes and glittering sailboats and ships large and small wasn't hard to get lost in. I was pretty sure I'd lost him now.

I can't go back. I told myself. Not while he's there.

Suddenly, my legs collapsed from under me and I fell into the water, tangling myself in the ropes that held a large mariner to port. I thrashed to try and get some air, but ended up twisting myself in the rigging even more.

I tried to push the ropes off my legs first, but the more I moved, the more I entangled myself and the deeper I drifted. My lungs burned from the lack of oxygen and my vision was starting to get blurry. I wouldn't be able to hold out much longer.

So this is it. This is how I'm going to die. I thought as my eyesight began to go black at the edges. Would my friends even be able to find me?

I closed my eyes, wondering how the afterlife would be and surrendered to the depths of the sea.

~