Twisted

by Christa Simpson

  "What are you talking about? Your ice cream hasn't even melted yet, so we couldn't have been that long," I argued.

  "Abby, what would you like? I can get it for you," Tanner offered, as Jay tossed him a ten dollar bill.

  "I'd love a scoop of moose tracks on a cone, if they have it."

  "They do," Maddie said, holding up her half-eaten ice cream.

  I smiled at her and nodded. After a short, but heated exchange of looks with Aliah, I sat on the wooden seat next to her. Before long, Tanner returned with my ice cream cone, and not a minute too soon. I could use the refreshment, the sun still beating strong.

  Tanner handed me the cone, noticed the pile of bird poop on the only vacant seat across from Aliah, and then moped over to the empty table next to us. "I guess I'll just sit over here all by myself." He was being sarcastic, but feeling for his situation, I shoved tight up against Aliah to make room for him.

  I slapped the bench beside me. "You're not sitting alone when there's plenty of room right here," I said.

  Tanner happily slid into the small place, right next to me, nearly flipping the small table. "Such a nice girl," he teased, giving me a wink.

  Aliah gasped and nearly swallowed her cone in one gulp.

  In the close proximity, and since Tanner was mocking me, I just couldn't help myself. I bumped his hand intentionally and his ice cream blobbed on his nose.

  He grabbed both of my wrists playfully and nudged his nose toward my face. "Now you have to lick it off," he teased.

  Aliah let out another gasp, but I was too busy squealing and scuffling to get away from his grip to notice. Jay and Maddie were laughing too, as Tanner tried to force his nose in my mouth. I pressed my lips together, fighting off a smile, when I noticed Aliah's continued horror.

  Intuition flaring, I shoved Tanner off of me and he backed away, realizing something was up. Once he leaned back, I glanced around him and saw that Hunter and TJ were already stopped next to the table. Edwin was walking up, and had clearly caught the whole scene. Everyone else had fallen silent, Edwin’s anger fueled by my nonchalance.

  I gulped back my nerve and managed to draw my eyes up to meet Edwin’s. Bad idea. His furious dark stare was sparking with anger.

  "Hey, what's goin’ on?" I said casually and took a lick of my ice cream. I was in for it.

  "I was about to ask you the same thing," Edwin snapped, his features sharp and edgy. He shook his head at me in disgust. "You know what? I don't want to know. I'm outta here. You do what you want." He stomped off toward the cabins and my heart shattered into pieces.

  "Wait Edwin! I can explain." I shoved Tanner aside and clambered away from the table. My ice cream dropped from my hand, but I just left it there to chase after him. He was too fast. "Edwin, please," I cried.

  He stopped long enough to shoot me the coldest look from his frosty aqua eyes. "Don't bother wasting your time. You don't owe me anything," he said snidely, then waved me off. He left me standing there, frozen in place, as our relationship flashed before me.

  Tears stung the back of my eyes and I closed them to keep them at bay. One of the guys dared to confront me. He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

  "Don't touch me." Throwing his arm off of me, anger my driving force, I scowled at him.

  "I'll go talk to him," Hunter said, ignoring my overreaction. He had done nothing wrong.

  "I'm coming with you," I said. Looking back to the crowd, all eyes were still on me. "I'm sorry," I said, glancing at everyone but Tanner. "Thanks for the ice cream Jay."

  "Any time.”

  I hurried to catch up with Hunter, panic twisting my insides and worry striking my heart.

  "So what is going on?" Hunter said, so accusatory. "Or do I want to know?"

  "Nothing is going on Hunter. It was just a misunderstanding. We're friends, that's it," I explained.

  "Then I'm sure Edwin will get over it. But it'll probably take some time; as in not now. Maybe you should head back."

  I huffed with disappointment, at him and at myself. I couldn't turn back. "He's pretty pissed, eh?"

  "Yeah, but wouldn't you be? I know if I saw Aliah sitting next to that guy, I would've been pretty pissed too, and we’re not even exclusive."

  It hurt my heart to hear him say that, mostly because I couldn't imagine the pain I would feel if Edwin had done the same to me. "It probably looks way worse than it is," I said, but it didn’t help.

  "Yeah, try telling him that right now, you'll get nowhere fast. Why don't you look at the situation from his perspective?"

  Edwin was nearly at the cabin when I finally called out to him again, ignoring Hunter's advice. "Edwin, please. We need to talk."

  He stopped at the door and I closed the distance between us. "No. There's nothing to talk about," he boomed. "Why don't you go back to your little boyfriend? You two looked pretty cozy together until I walked up."

  I stepped even closer to him, but stopped a few feet away. The way he looked at me, with such hatred in his eyes, it was like he was stabbing an icy javelin into my heart.

  "Edwin, stop talking or I know you'll say something you'll regret," Hunter insisted.

  "No, I have to talk to him," I cried.

  Edwin fixed me with a cold, hard stare. "I told you I'm not talking to you. Forget it. It's over."

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  ~

  AFTER RETRIEVING THE ICY javelin from my swollen heart, I stared at the door slammed in my face. I surrounded myself in the sounds that were real to me: birds chirping, flowers swaying, and the leaves rustling in the late afternoon breeze, heart pounding, people laughing and the oxygen draining from my lungs.

  "Maybe you should go," Hunter suggested, as he headed for the door. Before he went inside, he turned back and looked at me with concern in his eyes. "I'll do what I can."

  "Thanks," I breathed with a whisper.

  Edwin was inconsolable. I was in shock. What am I going to do? Lost in my own misery, tears built up in my eyes. I made slow work of the flagstone path, my knees weak with regret. Panic set in as my watery green gaze returned to the direction of the crime scene. The clan was heading my way. But I can't face them. Not now. In fact, I prefer never to see Tanner Bradshaw's handsome, honest face ever again.

  A dreadful tear leaked from my eye, as I hurried behind the cabin. My breath ragged, my insides twisted in a desolate knot of frustration, I dashed through the trees until I reached the trail that Edwin and I had taken the night before. I ran and I ran, as fast as my legs would carry me. Edwin's cold aqua eyes haunted me, driving me faster and farther away. Perspiration mingled with my tears, a steady stream flowing from my cheeks and dripping down my bare neck. As long as I was running then my body was in control and so I ran until I couldn't run anymore.

  When my body gave out, I stepped off the trail and bent over sobbing, holding my side with one hand, a tree in the other. My chest heaved from exertion. I was spent, but I was alive. Sweat poured from my forehead and my body screamed with ache as loud as my heart. I tried to fight the imminent despair and depression, but it washed over me like a cold November rain. I choked on my emotions as my unsteady breathing steered my tattered thoughts.

  I fell to one knee, just catching myself before I crashed onto the forest floor. Worried that the few hikers on an intersecting trail might catch up with me, I decided it best to distance myself from this trail and the life attached to it. They would definitely ask me if I was okay. I am so not okay.

  I clawed at the nearby tree, draining what was left of my energy to pull myself to my feet. Drawing on that last reserve, I darted into the wilderness to find a thinking rock. I didn’t want to get lost, but I didn’t want to be found either.

  My blurry eyes scattered franticly across the forest floor, as red eyes loomed fresh in my memories and startled what was left of my rational thoughts. A collection of large boulders were dispersed close by and I decided that one of them would have to suffice. I chose a huge one with a flat face, f
ar enough off the trail that no one could see me, but close enough that I wouldn't get lost if I decided to go back. I lied back on the rock with a hand over my wet, scalding forehead. Right now, I can't imagine ever going back.

  I knew it wouldn’t be long before the bugs came out and I was wearing nothing but a skimpy bikini top and thread-bare jean shorts. Eat me. See if I care.

  My eyes burned. I squeezed them shut, my worries dancing around like zombies in my head. A loud cry echoed through the wilderness. I did this. How can I make Edwin see that it's him I love? If I could only read his mind, know what he was thinking. I scowled at myself. Yeah, because I can read minds.

  From the haunting look in Edwin's eyes, I knew he wouldn't forgive me. He has never delivered such a cruel eye in all of our years. Hunter didn't stand a chance. Aliah would only make matters worse. Maddie was only thinking of herself right now. I’m doomed.

  What were they thinking bringing Tanner and Jay back to our site? Do they want to witness a blood bath? I knew one thing for sure: when Edwin was done with Tanner, he'll finish me off next; as if his words weren’t already enough to crush me. My tears boiled over and I sobbed. My sight was near blind again, when I delivered myself some soul destroying news. What if Edwin refuses to forgive me? Will he move out when we get home? Will he expect me to leave? This is all my fault.

  After hours of lonely torment, I could feel the strain from behind my sockets. It hurt just to open my eyes. I lowered my head and pressed my fingertips into my skull hoping to alleviate some of the pain. It didn't work. I lied back against the warm rock, my face now shadowed from the dropping sun, as the hot day in hell dragged on. I wondered if it would ever end, or if I had been banished there for life. Miserable. Alone.

  My stomach growled, but that was the least of my concerns. Instead, I wished I could just close my eyes and it would all be over. But I wouldn't be so lucky. Instead of being faced with Edwin's painful stare, I was forced to confront red eyes glowing in the shadows of my darkest memories. My eyes were squeezed shut and I fought the need to open them. Anything was better than Edwin's pain. I knew it could only be a figment of my imagination, but the memory was so real. Plastered to the rock in fear, I dared myself to face my inner demons.

  Holding onto that terrifying image, I relived the moment when the monster approached me, frozen beneath her hot, penetrating stare. But this time Edwin was not there with me. I looked everywhere, thrashing about, but he did not come to my rescue. I was alone. Almost. I glared confidently at the entity and it stared back into my soul. I could smell the end of my mortality on its breath, as I swallowed my own, hoping the monster would just relieve me of my life already. As it dominated my strength, it pierced my broken heart. I give up.

  My sister Aubrey’s voice rang loud in my ears: Winners aren't people who never fail, they're people who never give up. As my life flashed before my eyes, and a poisonous burning flowed through my veins, I changed my mind. I'm not ready to die. A crying baby startled my thoughts, reminding me of my purpose in life. A baby.

  My eyes burst open and I forced myself to sit up, as I listened to the echo of my own screaming voice in the empty darkness. Having fallen asleep from exhaustion, the day had passed me by. Daylight was fading fast, but the fact that the sun hadn't yet disappeared flooded me with relief, the only emotion left in me. It wouldn't be long before I was surrounded in blackness, alone in the wilderness with my wild imagination. I got to my feet, surprised that my physical pain had subsided, and rushed through the brush toward the path.

  My pace was steady, but I had nothing left in me to move my limbs any faster than that. Darkness ushered in around me, though my weary nerves didn't seem to take notice. The hot night fell before I reached the resort. It wasn't far now. I could see a cabin in the distance, though it was obscured from the combination of my exhausted eyes and the black night. I stopped in my tracks, but the wind kept blowing behind me. I'm not ready to hear Edwin say those words again. It’s over. My ears rang, my eyes dripped, as I turned down a narrow sandy path toward the beach. The beach. Where it all began.

  The boardwalk creaked beneath my feet, the mosquitos stole my blood, goose bumps devoured both of my arms, and still I was dead to the world. The leaves danced with the trees, the waves lapped against the sand, the crickets chirped their mating call and there I walked alone. I tugged off one sandal, then the other. I sunk my toes in the sand begging to feel something. Anything. Nothing.

  The sun was gone and it took the warmth with it, leaving me digging my toes through cold clammy dirt. My eyes scanned the darkened beach, only to find a few couples canoodling in the sand. Just this morning, that was me and Edwin. It made me sick to my stomach to witness such pure happiness at a time like this. Brooding, I marched down the beach, heading straight for the water, desperately clinging to its raw power. I hesitantly dipped my toes in the cool waves as they washed ashore and scooped up some water into my hands to splash my tear-stained face. Feeling fresh, but far from clean, I started slowly down the beach. I had nowhere important to be.

  I watched the water ease the hurt from my distressed feet, and nearly stumbled into a man who was walking in the opposite direction. He seemed equally as staggered by me, though it was too dark to be 100% sure.

  "Watch where you're going," I said through gritted teeth, scowling into the darkness. I didn't care that it was as much my fault as it was his. I was mad. Hoping to rid myself of any more human contact, I picked up my speed.

  "Abigail? Is that you?"

  I cast an evil glare toward the man calling my name. The faceless figure approached me slowly and I cowered away from him in the shadows of night.

  "It's me, Tanner," he whispered, as if that would make me want to come any closer.

  I let out an exasperated breath, as his face became clearer. I recognized his flawless profile and the handsome face that caused me all this trouble from the start. "If you knew what was good for you, you would stay away from me," I said, a hard frown pressed on my lips.

  "Now why would I do that?" he answered.

  "Don’t," I warned, my voice disclosing my exhaustion.

  "Okay, but you should know everyone is looking for you. They're all worried sick."

  "You mean everyone but Edwin. I'm sure they'll get over it." I turned away and took another step, hoping he’d just let me walk.

  "I get it you're upset."

  I spun back around, my shoulders pressed down. "You think?”

  He paused a moment, then stepped closer to me, forcing me to step back. "There's no reason that we should be alone tonight," he whispered, daring me to stop him from coming closer. He moved closer yet, but I refused to let him govern me.

  I glared into his chestnut eyes. How dare he proposition me like this. "I deserve to be alone."

  "No one deserves that. You didn't do anything wrong."

  "Please say it one more time, maybe then it will start to sound true," I argued.

  "This will all blow over if you just deal with it now," he said, even though his undertones begged me not to.

  "Funny, this coming from a guy who's had a year to get over his ex." I regretted spewing the words before they left my mouth.

  "Ouch, that hurt. Kick me while I'm down," he said, his hand over his heart.

  "I'm sorry. That wasn't fair," I said softly, mad at myself for being so cruel. "Like I said, you're better off staying away from me." I walked away again, and this time I didn't turn back.

  I paced slowly down the long wooden boat dock and made my way to the end of it. Right at the end, I could see a lone park bench sitting in peace. Board by board, I got closer to the bench, until I finally relieved my aching feet by kicking off my flimsy sandals and taking a seat. I sighed out loud and glanced out over the wavy water, free flowing and quiet. The dock stretched out so far that it was like I was in the middle of nowhere, right where I wanted to be, away from all the drama that I called my life.

  A dark shadow hung heavy over my shoulder. A board creak
ed, catching my attention. My eyes grew wide when the long shadow fell across the water. Slowly, anxiously, I glanced over my right shoulder. Ugh! It was Tanner.

  Before I could shoo him off, he took a seat without asking my permission. Infuriated, I folded my arms across my chest and shoved over, so my bare legs wouldn’t touch him. I continued to stare out over the water, my chin resting on the palm of my hand, my fingers blocking my eyes from his view, but the warmth that radiated from his bulky covered body didn’t go unnoticed.

  "You can't get rid of me that easily. Nice try though," he said.

  The bench was small enough and with his considerable size, when he spread his powerful legs and leaned forward, he consumed what was left of the space between us. His warmth penetrated my leg through his thin faded jeans.

  I shivered from the reminder of my minimal clothes. "Seriously Tanner, you've got issues. Leave me alone, unless you want a foot to the face," I warned, though I doubted I had the energy to follow through with the threat.

  "I do have issues. Why do you think I’m alone?” he asked. “But threatening me won’t work. I thrive on threats these days."

  Stunned and silenced I struggled to find a new topic. Why did he have to make me feel bad? I already felt like shit.

  "Where's Jay you ask?" he said, igniting a one-sided conversation. "Where do you think?" He glanced out over the water, as he floundered with his own thoughts. "Let's just say he and Maddie like each other, a lot, and I wasn't about to hang around and watch them make babies."

  "Oh."

  "Yeah, I've been pacing the beach for over an hour, but I can't bring myself to go back." He buried his face in his massive hand, leaning against the right side of the bench.

  There was a long comfortable silence. No talking is good. Then, "I'm so selfish," he said. "I can see you've got your own problems and here I am making trouble for you. I certainly haven't made your life any easier."

  I shuddered from the cool breeze that swept off of the water, no doubt from the dark clouds rolling up, and I instantly wished I had a shirt to hide in. My skin looked like gooseflesh, bumps sprinkled up both of my arms. Tanner noticed immediately.