by E. S Night
“Erm, yes, I’ll probably be there.”
“Goodbye.” The dial tone interrupted Mr Hale – did he hang up on me?
Mum scoffed, shaking her head. “Well, that was odd! I will go downstairs and ring the police – oh and don’t even think about going over to their house tomorrow. He knows who left that note that’s for sure.”
“How do you know?”
“I just do, he was hiding something.” My mum mumbled, it seemed I wasn’t the only one who was paranoid any more.
Nothing would stop me from returning to that house tomorrow and that included my mum. I wanted answers, and I wanted them now! I hated that I was a pawn in someone else’s plan - not knowing what their intention was. This was all getting a little weird, and I didn't understand where it was all going to end. Why would someone leave me a note with an Irish symbol on it, a symbol that didn’t even make sense? Perhaps, it was Grayson’s granddad; he doesn’t like me. I’m being stupid, there’s no way an old man broke into my room, but that didn’t prevent me from wondering who did?
“Abigail, I'll call Konrad after I’ve talked to the police and tell him you’re home, but I’m going to ask him if he’ll come and stay with us for a while – you okay with that? With all the stuff that’s been happening around here, we would all feel safer if he was in the house.” Mum asked already knowing my answer.
“That’s a great idea mum.” In that, second I asked for something I haven't asked for since I
was about six years old. “Mum can I please sleep in your bed tonight? I don’t want to be alone in this room.”
“You can honey.” My mum turned away to walk back downstairs. I was shattered, drained – even my appetite had gone and nothing can keep me away from my food. I made my way to mum’s bedroom and lifted the thick, satin duvet cover. I made myself comfortable, I'd forgotten how big this bed was – I don’t know how my mum sleeps in it all by herself, she must get lonely.
I edged my back further down the bed resting my head against the deep mattress. My plan was to wait up for her to see what the police had said, but as soon as my head hit the pillow, I couldn’t help but drift off to sleep.
Chapter Seven
Interrogation
The sun was beaming down, bright on my face. I yawned and stretched every single muscle in my body as the light flickered stirring me awake. I don’t think I’ve slept that well in forever, but still - my mind had abandoned the thought of Grayson Hale. I hadn’t dreamt about him for two nights now and it was probably a good thing. I was mad at him and his family - how could they not tell me the truth when someone was intimidating me.
I glanced at the alarm clock, crap! It was nearly ten! Mum didn’t wake me up; she didn’t want me going to the Hales. I needed to get over there and find out for myself what was going on. Now all I had to do was come up with a good excuse to explain why I was leaving the house at the exact time my lesson with Anna was about to start. My mum wasn’t stupid and I don’t think it would help my cause any to pretend that she was.
I jumped out of bed running straight into my bedroom grabbing the first thing out of my
wardrobe, which was a pair of black jeans and a grey shirt with the number twenty-three splashed across the front. I snatched my converse and a bulky cardigan from the pile of clothes left on the floor. I needed to remember to tidy that mess up. I got dressed and made my way downstairs trying to avoid my mum as much as I could. The only idea I could come up with was to stay away from her and write her a note once I was downstairs.
I made it as far as the hallway when a voice from the kitchen shouted. “Where do you think, you’re going?”
“I’m late! I should go to the library. My lesson still starts at 11, I messaged my tutor last night explaining everything and she’s got me a lesson with another teacher on the island, so I don’t need to go all the way to the mainland.” I explained, impressing myself with how good that lie was.
“Who’s the teacher?” My mum asked grilling me.
“I can’t remember what the text said mum, it’s a guy teacher from the high school - so can I go please? Where’s Konrad? I thought you asked him to come over last night?” I tried to change
the subject.
Mum walked closer towards me. “I did, he’s helping a friend move today or something – I don’t know, he’s always off doing something.” She smiled at me. “And yeah, okay, you can go. Keep your phone with you, the police will call today.”
“Do they not want me to go in again?” I edged backwards; I feared if she came any closer she’d see straight through my lie.
“No, they will come around to the house in an hour or two to take the note and have a little chat with me, so I’ll just give them your number and they can talk to you while you’re out.”
“Okay, thank you. I’ll be back for four.” I headed out of the front door.
I took about thirty minutes to reach the Hale’s house - that’s a massive record for me; last time I took ages. It was as if I was being driven mad by my curiosity, I needed to find out what this family was hiding. I arrived at their front door and knocked forcefully ensuring someone in the house heard me. There was a short pause and then I heard heavy footsteps striding towards the entrance. The door opened revealing Grayson standing in the hallway.
“Abigail? I didn’t think you would come today after last night.” He seemed troubled.
I pierced my lips. “Yes, well, I’m here. Where’s Anna or better yet Kaleb?”
“There’s no one in, everyone’s at work and Anna had an emergency so she’s not here either. If you turned up, she asked me to apologise to you on her behalf. But, it’s just me in the house.”
“Bollocks! Anna had an emergency, did she? What kind? Did some of her books fall off a shelf at the library? I have questions I need answering Grayson! What is your family hiding?” I yelled, pushing myself into the house.
“Abigail! You can’t just walk into someone else’s home!” Grayson shouted, following me up the stairs.
“You’re hiding something, I know you are. It all started with that stupid dream about you and then someone broke into my house! Then there are wolves on the island, I fall down a ditch and someone pulls me up. I get home last night and my door is wide open when I am 100% positive I locked it! And - I get ready for bed and find a note on my windowsill warning me to cut all ties with you! So, no Grayson, you know something you’re not telling me and I’ve had enough of it!” I
ranted, catching my breath.
I grasped hold of the first door handle and pushed it down, Grayson paced behind me.
“You saw me in a what?” He asked, deep in his own thoughts.
The door groaned open allowing me to see inside the room. I glimpsed at a painting, a grey wolf surrounded by snowfall. Grayson grabbed my hand and pulled the door, closing it back.
I scoffed. “What’s that on the wall?”
“Are you always like this? Pushy – bossy – argumentative.” Grayson was flirting with me, driving my back towards the wall with his arms pressed at both sides.
I swallowed. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“What am I doing? You have just broken into my house and accused me and my family of threatening you why would we do that?” He was trying to confuse me.
“I don’t know, maybe you’re a bunch of freaks.” I held eye contact with him not wanting to back down.
Grayson looked hurt by my comment. “At least get to know me before you make any judgements, I mean I’ve only met you once and
even that was a short introduction.”
“Well it feels like I’ve known you a lot longer.” I was letting my guard down.
Grayson was trying to charm me with his smile. “Will you let me take you for breakfast? You’ve come all this way.” I hesitated and looked into his eyes, hoping to sense his true intentions. “Okay, how about this – If you let me take you to breakfast, I will answer all your questions, wait – no – you ca
n talk so I will narrow it down to like - three questions and I’ll tell the absolute truth?”
I cleared my throat. “Okay, deal.”
Grayson led me out of the house and locked the door, his key was huge – it was like a key to a ship - who were these people?
“So where are you taking me for breakfast, then?” I continued to walk off the driveway.
He looked puzzled. “Where are, you going?”
“Erm to breakfast.” I didn’t understand what he was getting at.
There it was again that damn smile. “Well, you can, walk but I think I will drive.”
Grayson pressed a small button on his keys and the garage door lifted. I couldn’t believe it! Grayson’s car was a black Dodge Viper. A crazy expensive American produced car that offers 640
horsepower – it would settle most races on the road. It was the king of American auto-mobile extravagance. Growing up around a mechanic my whole life, you learn a lot about cars and dream of the cars you want to drive. This was one of mine. My uncle Konrad would die if he saw this in real life; I had to get Grayson to show it to him at some point.
He could see the disbelief on my face. “So, you like it then?”
“Are you kidding? It’s the most amazing car I’ve ever seen, this is yours? What does your family do for a living Grayson?” I was still in shock, not being able to look away from the car.
“Are you using that as one of your questions?” He challenged.
I was dithering at his response, but replied. “No, I’m not, so are we going for breakfast or what?” I stumbled into the car. Grayson smirked at my playfulness and joined me.
We drove around for about fifteen minutes, he appeared to be concentrating on the road and by concentrating, I mean the boy was deadly silent. I couldn't help feel awkward. I noticed a silver ring on Grayson’s right hand as he gripped the steering wheel. I tried to move closer to it,
without him noticing to read the tiny writing engraved on top of the ring. I was surprised to see a small cross and the Lord’s Prayer carved into the silver. I smiled to myself having found out he was religious – I don’t know why that turned me on – but I’m ashamed to say, it did.
We came to a fork in the road leading Grayson to veer off to the left. I’d never even been down here before, where was he taking me?
Suddenly, we arrived just above the beautiful Porthmellon beach. I’d been here before. Grayson was taking me to the Speros cafe. I always come here with my mum and Logan, talk about going the long way round. Grayson had travelled double the length of what it should have taken to get here. Although, I didn’t feel like putting him down. It was a nice gesture, even if he went the wrong way.
I liked it here. Speros overlooks the harbour, its lively atmosphere flows on the cafe floor. Their home cooked food here is amazing. Mum always orders one of their gourmet burgers for lunch. She gets them delivered to the bed-and-breakfast when she’s too lazy to cook.
There’s always something going on around
this part of town and I love eating here in the summer with Logan. We eat ice-cream out on the decking, taking in the views of the surfers out on the water. I’ve always wanted to learn to surf like Logan, but since I was a little kid, I’ve had this persistent fear of the ocean. Despite my phobia, this is one of my favourite spots on the island. If I didn’t love the Garrison Walls as much as I do, I’d come here to photograph the sunset. Grayson led me out onto the deck and we found a table. We sat for the first few minutes, both not knowing what to say.
It was important that I broke the ice this time. “So, I guess my first question is – do you know who sent me the note?”
“No, I have an idea who it was - but I’m not sure.” He confessed.
I sighed. “Who do you think it is?”
“You don’t need to worry about that anymore; my family has handled the situation.” He added.
“What! That’s not answering my question you’re dodging it! And how can your family have sorted it? I only told you about it last night.”
“Was that your third question? I’ve told you – all you need to know is my family are handling it. Now you have one left, do you want to waste it?”
He asked influencing my next question.
I was uncertain of my next move, I decided just to be honest and ask a question that’s been circling in my mind ever since he moved here.
"Before I met you at your house, had you ever seen me somewhere else?" I feared his response.
“Yes.” He answered.
I wanted to push the issue further. “Well, where have you seen me?”
“Your questions have finished, now it’s my turn.” He intended to get a rise out of me.
“No! You need to answer me, I’m out on my own here, strange things have happened, and I can’t talk to anyone about it.”
“I saw you in a dream, okay. I was out in the woods and it was snowing – you appeared out of nowhere and said your name – there! Are you happy? I also – you know what, never mind, I’ve answered your question.”
“You didn’t look surprised to see me at your door, I was barely keeping it together, you didn’t even flinch and you were going to say something else – what was it?”
He moved his chair, scraping it against the decking. “Abigail, can we drop this now, I’ve told
you all I can at the minute. There are explanations to what you’re asking me about - but I can’t tell you anything yet. Now can you please let me ask you a question now?” He pushed.
“Yes.” I snapped.
Grayson continued to pull his chair closer to mine; my body reacting to the touch of his hand. “Will you please do me the honour of going on a date with me?”
There were, so many questions left unanswered, but, I trusted him. The only answer I could muster from my mouth was, “Yes.”
Grayson grinned thrilled with my answer. “Good, I’m glad. We should get breakfast, I bet you’re starving.”
My stomach had been rumbling all morning. The young waitress came over to us; Tammy Fletcher – we were both in the same year at high school. Tammy was the IT girl at school, you know the type - the one that the guys wanted to sleep with and the girls wanted to be. I didn’t get it, yes, she looked amazing, but that was all she had. Tammy looked straight at me, flicking her black, raven hair to the side of her face as she stepped towards us. Her coffee coloured eyes
looked beautiful in the daylight and don’t even get me started on her olive-skinned, slender frame being forced in my face. Tammy’s body was the product of spending too many nights in the gym – I didn’t like the gym. I’d rather spend time at home watching Netflix with my mum and brother, that’s why she looks incredible and I look about ten pounds away from my goal weight. I was worried that Grayson would take one look at her and not understand why he was wasting his time, sitting with me.
“Hi Abigail, I’ve not seen you down here for a while, you make your mum collect your burgers for lunch huh?”
Tammy giggled expecting Grayson to join in. “Who’s your new friend?” She said, trying to get his attention.
Before I could respond, Grayson intervened and looked up from his menu. “Why don’t you try doing your job and take our order? Or is that too demanding for you?”
Tammy was astounded at his attitude and protectiveness over me as was I. She shrugged and headed off into the bar. “You didn’t need to do that.”
“Yes, I did.” He gazed straight into my eyes.
“Although, we shouldn’t eat here now unless we want her to spit in our food.” I giggled.
“There’s a burger truck down at the beach - we can eat there, it’s almost dinner time, anyway.”
Grayson lifted out my chair and led me down the small steps to the beach. I decided I was better off barefoot and not getting my trainers full of sand. I felt the cool sand squish between my toes. The water’s edge was clearer now and I could almost see the fish dancing in the shallow water. A few fishing boats were already out on
the sea reeling in their catch.
He bought my lunch for me even though I insisted to pay for myself, he wouldn’t have any of it – I could tell he was old school and knew how to treat a girl well. He spotted a green blanket from outside the window on the food truck and paid the guy forty pounds to borrow it so we could sit on the beach. I had to laugh at his boldness, I wished I was more like him - I also wished I had his money, I thought chuckling to myself.
Grayson thought it was a great day for a picnic on the beach. We sat on the sand for hours talking about frivolous stuff although
everything was about me. The sun got a little stronger, but fortunately, I could feel the breeze from the waves helping me cool down. I tried asking him so many questions about his life before the move - but I got nothing, he would always flip the question back over – it became irritating. Although I managed to get some information about his family, Grayson explained how he’d moved here with his mum, dad, granddad and four siblings.
He had three brothers – Isaac, who was the oldest, somehow, he had already acquired a job at the police station on the island and was starting in two weeks – it seemed Kaleb had the connections to get anything he wanted. Aidan - who was married to Anna, she couldn’t stop talking about her husband in our session together. Colton was Grayson’s younger brother; he seemed to be his favourite family member judging from the way Gray’s eyes brightened up when he was speaking about him. Lastly, there was Ella, his baby sister. She was the same age as Logan and, a bit of a loose cannon. I got little out of Grayson about his parents, they were off-limits and this made him change the subject again. He appeared to be interested in what I
