by E. S Night
had to say, Grayson listened to my likes and dislikes – as if he was taking notes in his head.
Gray reached for my hand to pull me up and headed off further down the beach to pick shells and I followed him. I was getting the feeling I would follow him anywhere. I looked back at his car and saw he'd parked it in a shady spot under some trees. Grayson had singled out about four different shells he carried in his pocket. I had found nothing pleasant. I saw a few tiny crabs scuttling around a dead bird. So far, shell picking was not my thing. Mum made me and Logan do it all the time when we were little kids and I thought it was boring then and I hadn't changed my mind. The only thing making it tolerable now was watching Grayson seeming so happy. I hadn’t seen him like this yet, like a child at Christmas, he was enjoying himself and I liked him this way.
I found something that took my interest. I saw a huge piece of driftwood being carried into the bay by the waves. I wasn’t sure – it was so far away, but I could have sworn I saw red stains smeared on its’ side. I ran towards it - Grayson hadn’t seen it until I dashed right out in front of him; he then ran behind me.
As soon as I made it to the log, I shouted in panic to Grayson. “Is that blood?” He looked confused, but not horrified.
“It’s probably from a shark or a dolphin or something, come on, it’s time to go, anyway.” He said holding me back. I took one more step towards the driftwood and Grayson’s hand came from around my waist stopping me. “Let’s go.” He insisted.
I didn’t understand why Grayson was acting like this. “That's too much blood! Shouldn’t we tell someone about it?”
“No, just keep away from it, we need to go.” Grayson led me back to the cafe.
He was acting strange again; the same way he acted when I asked him about the note. I now knew he wasn’t doing anything to hurt me, but he certainly wasn’t telling me everything either.
Chapter Eight
Over-Thinking
I can’t believe I’ve spent all day on the beach with Grayson Hale. I’d agreed to a date with the man I’ve been dreaming about now for a month, this was insane! We settled on tomorrow, which worked out well for me because I wanted to visit the Garrison Wall tonight. Grayson decided that he wanted our date to be a surprise and in all honesty, I preferred it that way – I love surprises! I was excited to see what he would come up with.
He was in a rush to get me home, Grayson said he had to pick up his sister from high school. Whether that was true, I don’t know. It sounded like an excuse so I didn’t bother to ask him any more questions. I could have just been over thinking the whole thing on the beach. Perhaps he didn’t want me near the driftwood, like a safety thing - I already know how protective he can be.
Grayson ended up dropping me off down the road, away from my house. I couldn’t let him pull up on the driveway, my mum would freak out.
That reminds me, I still needed to tell my mum what Gray said about his family handling the situation. A part of me wanted to make something up just so my mum and Grayson could have a clean slate, even if I had doubts about him myself.
My uncle was working on my mum’s car as I walked on the driveway. “Hey, you okay?” I asked, making him jump.
Konrad turned around. “I’m fine, are you? Kathryn said you got a note.”
“Yeah, I did, I’m supposed to talk to the police later, did they come round and talk to mum?” My uncle removed his gloves and closed the bonnet of mum’s car.
“No. No one’s been here - Kathryn!” Mum rushed out of the house, giving Konrad an evil stare for shouting near the bed-and-breakfast.
“What is it Konrad? Hi sweetheart how was your lesson?”
I coughed. “It was fine, the teacher was all right.”
“Have the police been round this morning?” Konrad asked, directing his question at mum.
She hesitated for a second. “I wanted to talk to Abi about that, the police rang. They found out
who had left the note – it was Jackson. They asked if we wanted to press charges, but I thought I’d better leave that decision to you.”
“Jackson?” I asked, shocked. “Why would he do that? No, it’s a mistake.”
Konrad scoffed. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this? You didn’t see what she was like when that nutter broke into the house; I need to be told about these things.”
“I’m sorry, you were working on the car, and I was just going to tell you both together - later. I’m sorry.” She grabbed my uncle’s hand to apologise. “Abigail, the police said Grayson’s dad, Kaleb found out it was Jackson. Jack had seen you heading through the woods to the Hale house and saw you with Grayson outside. He’s confessed to doing it. Although, he refused to say why he used the symbol.” Mum said, believing Kaleb. “How nice was it of Kaleb to find out all of that for you? He sensed how scared you were on the phone, I had completely misjudged him.”
“What will happen to Jackson now?” This was all crap, but I played along with the Hale’s ridiculous scheme to find out answers.
“Well, that depends on you; do you want to
press charges?” Mum questioned.
My uncle looked concerned. “Are you sure it was Jackson? The note said stay away from the Hales - it was one of them. What if someone in their family doesn’t like that this Grayson boy likes Abigail?”
“I’m not pressing charges – but fine, I guess it was him. For Jackson to do this, he’s hurting enough as it is, so let’s leave it and move on.” I felt sick at my own words, I knew Jack hadn’t done this but I needed to find out why Kaleb would lie about it. Whoever sent me that message must have something on the Hales; why else would they try to cover this up? My plan was to continue spending time with Grayson and then he would explain it all. In the meantime, I wanted to confirm my suspicions that Kaleb had Jackson lie to the police and how they made him do it.
“I think you’re rushing to conclusions Abigail, what evidence is there to say Jackson did it?” My uncle sustained.
“Let’s leave it alone. I want to forget all of this, okay.” I headed back into the house. I hurried into the small bathroom downstairs, locking the door behind me. I snatched my mobile phone
from my jeans pocket and pressed Jackson’s number into the keypad, waiting for him to answer. The phone went straight to voicemail. He can’t answer, he’s at the bloody police station, I realised. I looked up their phone number and called them.
“Hello? St Mary’s Police station.” An officer spoke.
Relieved that a female had answered the phone I replied with enthusiasm. “Hi, I wonder if you could help me, my name is Abigail Lawson, I’m –”
“Oh, hello Abigail, you’re quite the talk of the police station at the minute, how are you?”
“I’m fine; I’m not pressing charges against Jackson Ashcroft, so you can let him go.”
She sighed. “Can I ask why Abigail?”
“He’s a friend, he’s going through some stuff, and so can you please just let him go.”
“We can, but I’ll need you to come down to the station and sign some documents for us.” I could hear the officer was confused by my decision.
I inhaled loudly. “Okay, I’ll be down there within the hour.” I wanted to avoid going down to the station, I hadn’t seen Jackson since we split
up and I didn’t intend to see him either.
I heard a car pulling up near the driveway. Peeking out of the bathroom window, I could see that it was Grayson. I rushed to the doorway curious to know why he was at my house.
As I got to the door uncle Konrad was just coming back inside. At least, my mum’s feelings of killing Grayson have passed since she’s fallen hook line and sinker for Kaleb’s nonsense.
I found it hard to breathe seeing Logan get out of his car. Grayson had just given my brother a lift home from school. I didn’t know whether to thank him or kill him.
I was baffled. “Grayson, what are you doing?”
“My sister Ella knows your b
rother; they have been inseparable this afternoon in class.
So, when my sister said his full name I knew it was your brother, she asked if we could give Logan a lift home – I hope that’s not a problem, although now, I’m seeing that it is.” He smiled.
“No, it’s not a problem - this time Grayson. Thank you for bringing him home.” Mum intervened. I assumed her Stepford wife’s routine was for my benefit, ensuring she didn’t scare him off. “Grayson, would you and your sister like to stay for tea?” Mum smirked in my direction.
“Yes! I mean, yes, please.” Ella yelled who had a big crush on my brother.
Grayson looked at me. “Thank you for the generous offer Mrs Lawson, but we should get home, another night I promise.”
“Bye Logan, can I hang with you tomorrow?” Ella spoke.
Grayson grinned at me, amused at our sibling’s fondness for one another. “Mum, can I?” Logan asked.
“Well it’s Saturday tomorrow Logan, you’ve got football till two but after that it’s fine – that is if Grayson’s mum and dad don’t have a problem with it.” Mum considered everyone’s feelings.
“I’m sure it will be fine, I’ll drop her off about three, if that’s okay?” Grayson shared.
“Sure, that’s great.” Mum smiled, probably because she could see that I was finally getting over Jackson. As much as I wanted to stick around for this little play we were performing on our driveway, I needed to get to the police station and get them to release Jack.
“Konrad, can you please give me a lift to the police station?” I shouted from outside.
“That depends - are you going to tell the police Jackson didn’t do it?” He asked, yelling
back at me from the kitchen window.
“I’m not pressing charges, I’ve told you, so it doesn’t even matter. I have to get down there to sign a few things and then they’ll let him out.”
Mum sighed. “Konrad please give her a lift.”
“Nope, not if she’s making out like he’s done it with no solid proof.” Konrad explained, being more annoying than usual.
“Konrad - the boys admitted to doing it.” Mum shrieked.
He scoffed. “That means nothing; he was obviously paid off by those rich –”
Before Konrad finished his inappropriate rant, mum interrupted him. “Oh, be like that then Konrad, you’re being stupid! Baby, I can’t give you a lift, the engines shot, that’s why he’s working on it, SLOWLY I might add.” Mum said trying to get a rise out of her brother.
“I can give you a lift?” Grayson offered.
I paused. “Don’t you need to get home?”
He smirked. “I think I can manage taking you to the police station.”
“Thank you, yes I’d love that. Thank you.” I said, repeating myself like an absolute idiot.
Grayson dropped me off at the Police station, no questions asked. It would have been easy for
him to question me about my relationship with Jackson, but he didn’t. Which made the over thinker in me believe one of two things.
⦁He didn’t care who Jackson was because he didn’t like me like that.
OR
⦁He was already aware of Jackson, and he wasn’t worried about it.
Chapter Nine
I Don’t Kiss & Tell
I made my way through to the reception desk of the station. A middle-aged woman with red hair seemed in charge so I directed my attention to her.
“Hi, I’m Abigail Lawson, I have to sign something for Jackson Ashcroft's release.” I said, fixated on what Jack must have gone through today.
“Ah yes, the young woman that doesn’t want to press any charges.” She said belittling me. “You need to sign these and we will bring him through, are you sure you want to be here when we let him out?”
“I’m fine.” I snapped, signing the papers. I handed the documents to her over the desk.
“Here.”
“Okay, one minute.” The officer said leaving her post. I waited for about twenty minutes and then the red-haired woman appeared again.
“Come through Jackson please.” She spoke, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Jack appeared from one of the back rooms. I
hadn’t seen him for so long and he looked different, good different.
“You understand that you are cautioned - but you’re free to go, let nothing like this happen again Jackson.” The officer advised him.
He glanced at me. “I won’t!” Jackson stormed out of the police station and I had no choice but to follow him.
“Jack, please talk to me.” I begged on the side of the street.
“There’s nothing to talk about.” He continued up the road.
“Why did you do it?” I asked hoping for an honest response.
He sneered. “I’m jealous.” Jack laughed at his own words.
“I didn’t mean that, why did you confess to something you obviously didn’t do? Did Kaleb make you do it?” I caught him up.
This must have struck a nerve with Jackson because he turned around to face me. “Hey, Kaleb is all right. He asked me to do him a favour, and I did.”
“Why would you do him a favour? – You don’t even know him Jack! Did he give you money?” I probed.
“I’m not supposed to be talking to you, but I was compensated for my efforts, you don’t need to worry about me - I’m not your problem any more, remember.”
“Jackson, wait – I have to ask, why did you keep ringing my house? Did you think we would get back together?”
“What are you talking about; I never called your house. This is the first time we've spoken since our break up, and now if you don't mind, I should be going.” Jackson snapped. “Oh, and as for the getting back together – I couldn't think of anything worse. I have a new girlfriend now. I guess you didn't hear. I think she just might be the love of my life.” He said before stepping forward into the road. That boy always knew what to say to hurt me.
“Jack, hold on –” I was ignored as he switched to the other pavement. I continued to watch him walk up the road and disappear into a walkway. He called me why was he pretending he hadn't? On the bright side, I now had my proof that Kaleb made Jackson take the fall for the note – the only question left was why?
I pulled the phone from my coat pocket and it was nearly four. I needed to get home and have
tea if I would catch the sunset for six.
Arriving back home, mum’s car wasn’t there; I guessed Konrad must have got the engine going. I entered the house searching around for her.
“Mum! Where are you?” Two seconds later, I heard someone fiddling around through the garage door. “Hello?” I whispered, this couldn’t be happening again, could it?
My mum burst through the door of kitchen. “Bloody hell, you scared me. Why were you in the garage?” I shouted.
“Oh, I’m looking for some papers for the car, your uncle had to take it into the shop, it’s ruined, there’s loads of rust in the gas tank - it’s like someone poured a lot of bleach into it.”
She said running around trying to find her coat.
“Well did someone pour bleach in the tank?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing Abi, I said it's like someone’s poured bleach in the tank, anyway I’ve got to go to Konrad's house. Logan’s with him so there’s just you in tonight, you okay getting something to eat?”
“Yes, I’m okay,” I assured her, not wanting to tell her I was planning my trip to the Garrison
Walls again - I lied and said I’d order a pizza and watch a film on my own. “What time will you be back?”
“Probably about nine, okay! See you later.” She said shuffling out of the door.
That worked out well for me – I needed to get ready! I gathered my thicker jacket from upstairs in mum’s wardrobe, tied my hair up in a scruffy knot and grabbed my camera off the computer desk. I felt suspicious of everything and everyone. Before leaving the house, I made cert
ain all the windows and doors were locked.
I walked away from my driveway, looking back continuously, my mind struggling with paranoia. I hiked up the pike steering off the main route. The long-standing path to the Garrison Walls led into the forest – I didn’t feel like treading through the woods tonight. I made sure I kept in the open where passers-by could still see me.
I'm afraid to admit how much the last few days had affected me; I still thought I was being followed. I made it to the glade; I knew I was only a few footsteps now away from the Garrison.
I tottered up the stone steps, taking in the view from the edge of the wall – it was
breathtaking. I loved this time of night; I set my camera on the tripod, balancing it on top of the smooth part of the wall. For once, I was early, and had about fifteen minutes to wait for the sunset. I thought twice about throwing my leg over the side of the wall, frightened that I’d fall again. I resisted the urge to sit on the edge this time and instead made myself comfortable leaning against one of the boulders.
I noticed the bushes behind me were juddering. What was it this time? I just want one night to be how I pictured it in my head.
“Abigail?” A voice hushed from outside the trees. The muscular silhouette of a man came into view - it was Grayson.
“What are you doing here?” My cheeks were blushing.
He stepped towards me. “I fancied a walk.”
“And you coincidently walked to my spot? I thought you had to get home and see your family?” I questioned, suggesting he’d been dishonest before.
