by Nicole Grane
“Maybe they won’t notice us!” Kim spoke to soon.
“Hey girls!” Jeff yelled out as he waved us over.
We waved halfheartedly back and pointed to our surfboards as if this would excuse us from a conversation with them.
“Phoebe!” Brian was bounding over to me. “Hey girl!” He yelled as he scooped me up into a big bear hug and finished it off with a noogie.
“Ow Brian!” I rubbed my head vigorously.
“Hey. You look different.” Brian was looking me up and down. “I haven't seen you since you got back from Europe. You change your hair?”
What are you talking about?” Leah argued. “It looks exactly the same—long and black.”
I frowned at her. “I did braid it today,” I defended. Leah was always after me to do something “fancy” with my hair.
“No. That’s not it. I can’t figure it out, but there is definitely something different about you.” He smirked as he continued leering at me—weird, even for Brian.
I turned my back to him, and did my best to pretend he wasn't undressing me with his eyes.
“So you girls going surfing?” he finally asked.
Leah rolled her eyes. “No Brian, we’re just carrying around the boards for fun.” She really couldn’t stand Brian and had no problem showing it.
Brian being Brian, either chose to ignore her, or he honestly had no idea how much she hated him.
“Hey ladies,” Sean called out as he and Jeff joined us. “You better be careful out there today. The swells are pretty big.”
“We’ll do that,” Kim grumbled as she pulled Leah toward the water. Kim and Sean had dated awhile back—it ended badly. Kim couldn’t stand being within eye-distance of Sean. Sean however was “cool” with the whole thing. He figured it was only a matter of time before Kim came crawling back—as if! Dating a conceded jock who continued to relive his senior year highlights, was not on Kim’s list of qualities in a prospective boyfriend.
I followed the girls eagerly, trying to ignore the three idiots laughing loudly as we walked away—why did I let the girls talk me into this?
A group of joggers were coming up the beach. One had a dog, a cute German Sheppard who looked to be enjoying his run as well. I smiled as they were about to pass, when the dog stopped abruptly and began to bark wildly at me, baring its teeth.
I jumped back, slowly putting some distance between me and the dog as his owner tugged frantically at the leash, trying to pull him away from me; all the while apologizing.
“Gee Phoebe, you really freaked out that dog!” Leah stood beside me, her voice was as shaky as I felt.
“I just looked at it,” I defended.
“What’s wrong with your eyes?” Kim’s face was inches from mine, examining me closely.
“What do you mean?” I tried to back up a little, desperately needing some personal space.
“They weren’t like that yesterday . . .” she stepped closer again. “They’re wild looking; your pupils are really small.”
“What?”
“She’s right!” Leah agreed stepping forward. She began examining my eyes as well. “They are different.”
“It must be the sun,” I suggested sharply as I pushed past them. I was bugged now. If I didn’t get some space quickly, I was going to scream. After all, I was just nearly mauled by a dog—again!
The girls shrugged me off and started paddling out together. I headed out a ways toward the big rock. I needed a little time by myself, and I was also curious about the man who was clearly watching me.
He was squatted down now, one arm on his knee and the other hand holding onto the rock for support. I could feel his gaze on me still.
I pulled myself onto the surfboard, as a gust of wind met my face. And with it, a smell not normally found at the beach. It was sweet and fresh, like a spring rain—I knew that smell! It took only a moment for my brain to connect another subconscious piece of my puzzle. I looked up abruptly, and although I never should have been able to see from where I was, our eyes locked. My mouth dropped a little in amazement. I knew those eyes in an instant. They were the eyes from my dreams, the eyes of my stranger . . .
I felt panic rise up within me, but I couldn’t look away; he drew me in deeper. My heart began to pump wildly as I saw the corner of his perfect lips curl upward into a smile. He was beautiful! I tried to imagine Zeus himself looking more handsome. I couldn’t. His hair was a deep brown that reflected auburn highlights as the sun bounced off it. His face was just as I remembered it, pale and flawless. I couldn’t believe I had remembered such detail, as I only saw him for a few moments.
He continued to smile at me as I watched him. How could this be the man from my dreams? How could we be in the same place again, at the same time, in another country?
His head jerked slightly as his attention was suddenly diverted.
I wouldn’t have looked away if I hadn’t heard the screams from Kim and Leah. I looked frantically for them and saw that they were on the beach waving their arms wildly, yelling something to me.
I strained to hear. “WHAT?” I shouted as loud as I could over the roaring ocean.
Then a slight nudge on the bottom of my surfboard claimed my attention. I pulled my legs up; something smooth had just brushed against my left leg. I yelped, as it bumped me again, this time rocking me, nearly knocking me off.
I could still hear Kim and Leah screaming. Then, the word: “Shark!” came across the wind loud and clear.
“Oh God.” A violent bump knocked me from my board. Panicked, I began to swim toward the shore. I hadn’t realized how far out I was. I struggled with the waves that crashed down upon me, threatening to push me under. I spit the salty water from my mouth, while the fear of not knowing where the shark was consumed me.
I sucked in a sudden breath of air. Something had rammed me in the stomach. I couldn’t breathe! I frantically looked toward the rocks. Our eyes met for an instant and I could see a look of sheer horror directed back at me.
Another wave crashed on top of me, this time taking me under. I struggled to find the surface, but the waves kept pushing me deeper and deeper. The murky water made it nearly impossible to see—then it became red. The last of my air escaped me as I realized . . . I was going to die.
Something wrapped around my waist and began pulling me upward. I gasped for air, choking on the water as my face broke through the surface.
The sky flashed by overhead. I was conscious of the ocean around me, the waves crashing against my body, and the sounds of birds. But I couldn’t see who was pulling me.
The warm sand was comfortable beneath me now. My eyes focused for only a moment. I could see his face lowering to mine. His lips parted and then a cool breeze blew through my lungs inflating my chest with air. He released me as I rolled over to choke out the remaining water. I lied there on my side for several minutes, waiting to catch my breath. Then something brushed across my back.
“Shark!” I jumped, looking around me frantically.
“Shhh,” he spoke softly as he held my body still. “The shark is dead, you’re quite safe now,” he assured.
I glanced around me, not trusting his words at first, then calmed. I looked over to see his face gazing into mine. It was like an angel’s, flawless and smooth. His hair hung down around it, drops of water still fell from the tips as he hovered over me, watching me anxiously.
“Are you alright?” he asked. His voice was soft and familiar, like a melody I had heard long ago. He caressed the side of my face gently with the back of his fingers. The touch of his skin on mine was almost electric, causing my heart to speed up.
“How did you . . .?” I reached up and rubbed the water from my eyes. “I saw you on the rocks. You were so far away. How did you know there was a shark?”
He glanced past me. “Perhaps, another time,” he suggested, his eyes still gazing down the beach.
I could hear Kim and Leah screaming my name as they ran toward me. I looked in their direct
ion and then back to my savior—he was gone!
“Phoebe, are you alright?” Leah gasped as she dropped to her knees beside me, trying to catch her breath.
“Yes, I’m fine . . . now.” I sat up, looking all around me.
“The shark, how did you get away from it?” Kim cried as she hugged me tightly.
“What do you mean? Didn’t you see that man pull me out?” I asked urgently.
“Nooo,” Leah answered, “We didn’t see anyone. The waves must have washed you up.”
“No, a man saved me! I was drowning, he pulled me out, and then he gave me mouth to mouth. I almost died!”
“What man?” Leah asked as she looked up and down the beach.
“You didn’t see him?” My voice was softer now, tired, defeated. Was I the only one who could see him? The only one who could hear him? I put my fingers to my lips. I could still feel the cool kiss he’d left there. I searched the sand around me. The only footprints were from my friends.
They looked at one another then back to me, shaking their heads. They hadn’t seen anyone.
“Uh, Phoebe, maybe we should get you home,” Kim suggested as she looked to Leah who was nodding her head in agreement.
“Hey, look!” Kim jumped up and ran to the water’s edge to retrieve my surfboard that had just washed up. “Not even a bite!” she added cheerfully.
I frowned. Leave it to Kim to be making jokes at a time like this.
Leah helped me to my feet as I took one final look around, hoping to see my stranger. He was nowhere to be seen.
Chapter 2: The Stranger
I sat at my kitchen table half-heartedly eating a bowl of granola. I picked up the local paper and began reading the front page: “Local fisherman capsizes boat off coast of Trinidad. Nestled in the heart of the Redwoods and hugged by the Pacific Ocean, a small beach community mourns the loss of one of their own.” I sighed, remembering Bert, down on the docks selling his daily catch.
I plopped the paper down and glanced around the room. The bright yellow walls and powder blue curtains did nothing to brighten my mood.
I couldn’t get him out of my mind. I’d dreamt about my stranger again last night, only this time, I wasn't afraid of him. This time he'd saved me. I breathed in. I could almost smell him. His scent burned my very soul, leaving my heart fluttering at a rapid speed. I tried to shake away the image. Why hadn’t anyone else see him?
“I need to get out of here.” The very room felt as though it were closing in on me.
I hurried into my shoes, grabbed a sack from the closet, and headed out the door. I’d been working on a new jewelry collection for work and was running low on supplies—I stopped suddenly.
There he was, dressed in black from head to toe. His pale skin illuminated by the sunlight. His eyes were dark and intense, just as I’d remembered. His lips, a pale shade of pink, were turned up into a warm smile. He was leaning up next to a shiny black motorcycle that alone would look incredible, but next to him, paled significantly.
I was at a loss for words. I just stood there, staring at him like he was an elegant piece of artwork that had just been discovered. He was breathtaking! His scent on the wind tickled my nose like a spring rain. I knew that fragrance . . .
I moved toward him slowly. If he was a mirage—I didn’t want him to disappear. He remained still as I approached. I could feel my pulse quicken as our eyes locked. I paused for a moment, then took in a deep breath. My hand reached out until my fingers gently touched his bare arm. It was firm, slightly colder than my own arm, but definitely real. I closed my eyes and sighed with relief.
He let out a laugh that was intoxicating, and took me completely off guard. “You didn’t think I was real?” He shook his head in disbelief.
“Well, I . . .” I blushed every shade from pink to scarlet I was sure. “It’s just that when I think I see you, you disappear. I thought you were . . . in my head,” I admitted, reluctantly.
“Phoebe,” his voice was soft, whisper-like, as he spoke my name. He looked at me strangely, as though I were someone dear to him, as if he’d known me forever.
“What did you call me?”
He stood up straighter now. “That is your name isn’t it?”
I stared up into his face. “Yes . . .” I answered hesitantly.
His eyes drifted to my hands that still clutched a canvas sac. “Have I interrupted your day?”
My mouth was open slightly as I marveled at the perfection before me. Even his words were elegant. “Huh? Oh!” I came back to earth. “I was just heading to the beach for supplies. But I can go later,” I added quickly. “Would you like to come in?” I motioned to the door. “That is, if you have time . . . I mean, you don’t have to . . . only if you want!” I was babbling. My heart raced every time he smiled at me, as though it were jumping out of my chest. I couldn’t think straight for some reason. I was all flustered.
I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand, clearing the sweat that had formed. My body flushed under his lingering gaze. I felt as though I were swaying, like a newly planted tree in the wind. My vision blurred; as I felt myself fall . . .
My eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the bright light. I was in my living room, lying on the couch. How did I . . .? I jumped!
“No, no. It’s alright. Lie down a bit more.” My stranger was sitting beside me. His voice was low and calming, almost hypnotic.
My heart rate slowed upon his command. “I’m so sorry,” I said as I rubbed my forehead, trying to erase the disoriented feeling I had. “I don’t know what happened to me? I’ve never fainted like that before.”
“I guess I’ll have to watch the way I look at you from now on.” He smiled knowingly.
I frowned a little. “I’ve never fainted just because someone looked at me. How embarrassing,” I muttered the last part under my breath.
“I doubt anyone has ever looked at you like that before,” he said with what appeared to be great certainty.
I could feel the heat in my cheeks once again. I knew he knew exactly why I’d fainted. I was never going to live this down. I shook off the dizziness and forced myself to sit up.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” I could hear the concern in his voice.
“Yes, I’m fine.” I tried to ignore the uncertainty in mine.
“Perhaps this is a good time to introduce myself,” he offered thankfully changing the subject. “My name is Marcus Ashworth.” He said his name slowly as if there was some sort of hidden significance I was supposed to understand.
“Marcus,” I repeated quietly to myself. His name fit him perfectly.
I extended my hand to him. “Phoebe Rose.” He stared at it for a moment, then took it softly.
“You’re so cold!” I exclaimed, still holding his hand. “I could turn up the heat, or would you like a blanket?” I moved to get up.
“No!” he said abruptly, releasing my hand. “I’m quite comfortable, truly.” His eyebrows furrowed a little. “I wondered . . . how your shoulder was healing?”
“My shoulder? Oh! You mean when that dog attacked me back in London—nightmare,” I grumped aloud, rolling my eyes a little. Wait. I looked at him incredulously. “How did you know? I recoiled a little. My heart reacted to the sudden fear I felt, beating faster by the second.
“What makes you think it was a dog that attacked you?” he asked, ignoring my jolted expression.
“I . . . I don’t know for sure.” I shifted uneasily. “It all happened so fast.” I subconsciously began rubbing my shoulder. “Although, it must have been a giant dog. The tooth marks were huge.”
“Tooth marks?” He looked extremely anxious all of a sudden.
“I think they’re tooth marks?” I added nervously.
He regarded me for a moment, pondering something over in his mind. “You must be wondering how I found you?”
“Actually, I . . .” I broke off. I had been wondering but was afraid to ask.
He smiled in understanding. “I’m a t
racker, Phoebe, a hunter by trade.”
“A hunter?” I had to look as confused as I was.
“I was hunting the night you were . . . intercepted.” He chose his word carefully. “I was closing in on him when you came around the corner and he literally plunged into you.” Marcus gave my shoulder a quick glance. “You’re quite lucky I was so close. He didn’t have time to kill you,” he added darkly.
“Have time to kill me?” I nearly shouted. I was on the edge of the couch now, my eyes wide with shock. “What do you mean? What exactly were you hunting?”
His face grew serious, his jaw tightening with sudden tension. “A type of wolf,” he said through clenched teeth.
“A wolf! In London?” My brain couldn’t register what my ears were hearing. “You must be joking?” I half laughed, remembering Kim’s ridiculous ‘escaped animal from the zoo’ theory. I couldn’t bear it if she had been in any way right about that. The thought made me nauseous. I could never tell her. There’d be no living with her after this.
My mind wandered briefly until I felt Marcus's stare. There was no trace of humor in his face.
“What was a wolf doing running through London?” I decided to ask. Hoping not only that I had misunderstood him, but also to break the tension that was now looming over my living room.
“There are unfortunately many wolves that roam the city from time to time,” he explained with a hint of venom in his words. “Usually they’re killed before they get too close, but there seems to be a rise in the population. We’re hard-pressed to stop all of them in time.”
“‘We’re’? There are more of you? Hunters?”
He nodded.
I felt so confused. “Stop them in time for what?” I asked a moment later.
“Before they kill someone, or worse,” he added darkly.
My breath caught. “What could be worse than being killed?” I asked, afraid to hear the answer.
