Page 21 of A Song of Death and Desire

“Are you Eagan Reynolds?” He asks.

“I am,” I respond, “and you are?”

“Err… um…My name is Rylan Thorn. I’m a journalist for the Cove Chronicle. I… um… Wanted to ask you some questions because I’m currently working on a story about the mysterious boat accidents and disappearances. You’re the only person recently who has actually survived something like this.”

I immediately go cold. A shiver runs through me and dread pools in my stomach. Another person asking questions. There are too many people wanting to know things that I can’t speak about. It’s leading to too many lies and half-truths. I don’t feel like I’m clever enough to keep up with all the stories I am telling. I’m afraid I’ll slip up somehow and that I'll create even more suspicion. Rylan speaks quickly. Nervously. I get the impression that this young guy is relatively new to the job. He doesn’t want to mess up and is probably hoping to get a big story to boost his career.

“Look I’m sorry, Mr. Thorn but I really don’t have any interest in talking more about this. I’d like to just be left alone.”

I try to be polite and don’t give him the opportunity to reply as I dart around him, but he places himself in front of me once more. “Mr. Reynolds, it’s really important that you talk to me. I believe something suspicious is happening in Witches Cove,” he says, his voice steadier and more demanding this time.

My apprehension turns to frustration as he persists. “I said I’m not interested,” I growl. I push past him again and continue down the steps and to my car parked in the garage. As I drive away, I notice that he hasn’t moved from where I left him on the steps. But he is looking at me. Rylan looks like a shy, nervous guy but he also seems determined. I don’t need any added complications in my life. I’m going to have to keep an eye on himthough. I don’t want him to start digging. I don’t think he could even imagine the shit he could uncover if he digs too deep.

In town, I run a few errands. Tom and Lacey have invited me over for lunch tomorrow. I’m really hoping that this will be a way to rebuild our friendship. I’m not naive enough to expect him to just give me my job back but I have missed having him as a friend. Even Lacey is someone I enjoy spending time with. Although, she was always closer to Kelly. I hope that Lacey doesn’t hold a grudge about what happened with Kelly. She seemed to genuinely care about my wellbeing when we bumped into each other the other day. I didn’t sense any animosity, but I will try to explain my actions better at lunch tomorrow, so she doesn’t think I’m a complete asshole.

I like this time of day. Where the sky is alight with a spectrum of colors. It’s beautiful. The purple, pinks, oranges, and reds that fill the sky and bathe the earth in its glow. I take a few minutes to stop and appreciate the moment. Two months ago, I almost died. And then a week ago I almost died again, albeit, at my own hand. I’ve never believed in fate or the powers of the universe, but I can’t help but wonder if there is a reason for my survival. Like perhaps it wasn’t my time to leave this earth. I am grateful for the sacrifice that Kairi made for me and am determined not to waste my second, well third, chance at life. I want to spend more time with important people in my life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to suddenly turn into an extrovert, but I also don’t want to be alone all the time.

The array of colors dancing above fade as the sun sets and turns the sky to the deep blue of night. I’ve achieved what I setout to do when I came into town today. I purchased some food and a nice bottle of wine to bring to Tom and Lacey’s as well as some extra groceries. I also decided to treat myself to some new clothing for the gym, now that I am going again. The rolling of my stomach and the gurgling sound alerts me that it’s time to consider dinner.

You know what? I could go for one of the delicious double cheeseburgers from Jessie’s Diner. My mouth salivates at the thought and my stomach makes a noise that I’m sure could be heard by people across the street. I decide to grab myself a burger and fries to go. I don’t really feel like eating out alone, so I’ll bring it home to the comfort of my own apartment.

It’s Saturday night and Jessie’s is full to the brim with customers. The diner is always busy no matter the time or day but weekends are particularly rowdy. I feel overwhelmed when I open the door and am hit with the force of the sound within. I almost turn around and walk out. I have never been a huge fan of crowded environments, but I am especially prickly and over-stimulated by the sheer volume of people and noise here tonight. I guess I might still be a little sensitive after everything that has happened. I inhale through my nose and exhale slowly through my mouth. I focus on my food and order promptly, emphasizing that my order is to go.

While I wait, my eyes wander around the diner. Although I didn’t grow up here, I’ve lived in Witches Cove long enough to recognize most faces. There are many I know by name and are friendly with in some capacity and others I merely recognize as being local.

I’m immediately drawn to the flash of deep auburn hair that catches my eye from a small booth to my right. I think I forget to breathe for a moment when I realize that it is Kairi. For once I’m not hallucinating. She’s actually here.

Once I remember to breathe again and my heart resumes its steady beat I notice that she is not alone. My hands clench into fists involuntarily and I can feel a tick in my jaw. A man stands close to Kairi, leaning into her space as she sits in the booth. She looks like she has the exact same burger I ordered in front of her, but she hasn’t touched it. This guy is in her way. I move a little to my right to try and get a closer look at her face. For some reason, I have to know what she is feeling. Is she interested in this guy? A strange feeling unfurls in my stomach that reminds me a lot of jealousy. But that’s absurd.

She hasn’t noticed me, so I take the opportunity to edge a little closer. I recognize the look on her face as discomfort. She isn’t looking at the guy who is talking incessantly. Every time he reaches out a hand to touch a part of her body—far too frequently in my opinion—she flinches away. She doesn’t look afraid, but she is certainly not at ease. My jaw ticks again as I clench my teeth together. I’m not sure why this is riling me up.

“Come on sweetheart, I bet I can show you a good time. Let me take you out. I promise I’ll be the perfect gentleman,” Kairi cringes and leans away a little more before looking him straight in the eyes, a glimmer of defiance evident in her gaze.

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m happy to just eat this burger here on my own. Nice to meet you, Logan, was it? But I’d like to eat my food before it goes cold, and you should be getting back to your friends.” He’s irritated by her rejection but has no choice but to leave her booth when she turns her attention to her food and begins to eat. I’m still wary of the guy. I don’t think I recognize him, which means he’s either visiting or he’s new to town. I really don’t like the way he keeps his eyes on Kairi. It’s activating my protective instincts for some unknown reason, and it takes a fair bit of mental strength to look away from him and the beautiful seductress.

The waitress calls out my order and I pick up my meal, surprised to find that I’ve lost my appetite and instead I’m filled with a sense of unease. I can’t bring myself to go home. Something is grounding me here and my stubborn ass needs to know that Kairi is safe. I sit myself down on a nearby bench and start to eat, not really focusing on the food as I’m distracted by a myriad of other thoughts. I’m not sure how much time passes as my eyes flit to the diner door every time it opens.

Eventually, I’m rewarded for my patience when Kairi exits the diner. She’s alone and I exhale a relieved sigh. She doesn’t notice me and walks in the direction of the beach. As I pack up my trash and the food I couldn’t stomach, the door opens again. I’m immediately on edge and turn to see the man from before. He’s also alone and a sinking dread fills me as he heads in the same direction as Kairi. Something feels wrong. I think I’m a decent judge of character and this guy is giving me shady as fuck vibes. I can’t just leave when my gut is telling me that something is wrong, that Kairi might be in danger. I don’t allow myself time for a second thought before following them both.

Chapter 22

Ashiver runs through my body that has nothing to do with the cool breeze. Goosebumps pebble my skin, and I feel a sense of unease. I was uncomfortable in the diner, and I’m pissed off that my favorite meal was ruined by the guy that could not take a hint. I’m no stranger to attention but usually I welcome it whole-heartedly, desperate to make the most of my short time on land and feel close to someone. My priorities have changed. My time here is no longer limited, and sex is not the only thing on my mind. I want to live, truly live and experience what it’s like to be human.

Truthfully, sex has been far from my mind over the recent days. I’ve had no interest in the men in town and I haven’t given them a second glance. Without my siren song drawing them closer, lowering their inhibitions and increasing theirconfidence, if anyone has shown interest, I haven’t noticed. Until tonight.

I don’t know what it was about him that gave me the creeps, but I was on edge immediately when he walked up to the booth I was sitting in. He’s objectively handsome, but plain and there was something about his eyes that made me feel vulnerable. Like prey. My automatic response was to shy away from him and try to display my disinterest by not engaging in conversation. I’m not usually docile but I’m still getting used to my new place in the world. He clearly did not pick up on the cues. Or just didn’t care. He kept pushing, trying to get me to go out with him despite the fact I was clearly sitting down to enjoy a meal on my own. In the end I had to be firm.

My discomfort and frustration with the situation continued to rise as he kept trying to touch me. A soft touch to my shoulder, my arm. At one point he leaned down so close to me that I could smell the beer on his breath. I had had more than enough when he placed a hand on my thigh and told him with complete conviction that I was not interested and was not going to go out with him. The flash I saw in his eyes at the moment concerned me, it was cruel, predatory. Like recognizes like. I’ve spent my whole life as a predator and in that moment, I recognized that this man saw me as prey. Fortunately for me, being in a crowded diner meant that he had no choice but to return to his friends to avoid causing a scene, but I didn’t relax.

I’m so used to playing a part when I come to land, I very rarely act in a way that is completely authentic. I try to suppress my worry and the tinge of fear and fake a confidence that will hopefully convey that I am not weak or vulnerable. I focus on eating my burger, frustrated that it had gone cold and lost some of its taste due to my focus being elsewhere. I wasn’t going to allow myself to lower my guard, so I remained vigilant.

When I was finished, I left the diner, ready to return the little alcove on the beach that I had made my own. I walk towards the beach and after about a minute or two, I hear the soft footfalls of someone behind me. I tense and all my senses are on high alert. I pick up my pace and hear the person behind me do the same. I’m being followed and I suspect it is the man from the diner. It isn’t late at night but most of the people in town are gravitating to the main area of eateries and bars. Which means fewer people near the beach where I am heading.

“Oh sweetheart, why are you trying so hard to leave? We are alone now; you don’t have to pretend you don’t want me.” My instincts were right about this one. He is a problem. But I don’t know how dangerous he is. I ignore him but that makes him more irritated.

“Stop being a whore and leading me on. You can’t look at me with those ‘fuck me eyes’ and then play hard to get. I’m getting tired of the games.” This. Fucking. Guy. I was sitting in a diner trying to eat an orgasmic burger and he has the audacity to suggest I was giving him ‘fuck me eyes’? If anything, I was giving those eyes to the burger. The burger can satisfy me a hell of a lot better than I’m sure this guy would.

I weigh up my options.

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