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I looked around again at the empty streets and the small groups of lingering teenagers left on the beach. There was no one criminal-like, no grim reaper, and no Nates.
“I am fine,” I said to myself. It didn’t matter how many times I said it, though, my body refused to settle down.
I began my walk back to the hotel. It was only a five minute commute. I was practically at its front steps. I blew air from my mouth, trying to slow my heart rate as I turned the corner. The hotel was just down this road. Straight shot, right on the corner. I only had to cross two roads. Only two.
But the reasoning didn’t bode well with the increasing feeling of being watched. I couldn’t shake it. Instead, I sped up, glancing behind my shoulder to the empty street.
“There is no one,” I said.
It’s nothing, there’s no one,I remembered thinking that night. My skin crawled at the thought as my head whippedaround. I sped up again, jogging at this point. My skirt hung low on my hips, the fabric hitting my knees as I moved.
Footsteps started behind me, and without looking back, I took off. I wasn’t going to ignore the feeling any longer. I wouldn’t be a victim again. No, I wouldn’t.
I ran as hard as I could, not even daring to stop at the street crossing. I prayed it would be clear, but I imagined being hit by a car would be better than the alternative of what I envisioned happening if I were caught.
The image of Samuel flashed in my mind, his devious smile and bright green eyes. He had blood on his hands, more than me…more than the devil himself.
My feet hammered on the sidewalk, carrying me away from whatever lurked behind me. I made it to the hotel and pushed a family aside. I moved into the back, placing my hands on my knees. My heart lurched forward as I closed the door in the staff office. I slid down the wall, my hands shaking.
“I’m safe,” I said to myself, over and over again. I ran my hands through my hair, gently pulling. The spike of pain tingling against my scalp reminded me that I was alive. I was alive.
I pulled out my phone, scrolling through the names. My fingers lingered over Sofya’s name as I debated on whether I should call.
“There was no one,” I said aloud. Only the obnoxious amount of historical photographs bore witness to me gaslighting myself.
Fate had other plans for me today as my phone rang, Kai’s name stretched across it. I answered, bringing the phone to my ear, trying to keep my breath steady.
“Hey, whatcha up to, M’lady?” His chipper voice purred from the other side of the phone.
I opened my lips, but no words would tumble out. Tears welled in my eyes, blurring the office.
“Audry?” Kai spoke again, more alarmed. I heard the dangle of his keys as he gathered things together, no doubt to head my way. “Audry?” he said more forcefully this time.
“I—” A single squeak came out before the tears tumbled down my cheeks. “I’m sorry,” I cried.
“What’s—what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I sniffled. “Just, spooked.” I spoke as calmly as I could, but my emotional dam was crumbling.
“Spooked? At the hotel?”
“Not, exactly…"
I heard a large bang from the other end, Kai’s hand slamming against the wall. “Where are you?”
“I’m at the hotel…" I said softly.
“Where were you earlier?” he asked slower.
I rubbed my lips together, the tears no longer falling. I was safe. Just the sound of Kai and his worry made me feel safe. “The beach.”
“Audry, are you fucking serious?”
“I can’t live my life cooped up, Kai! I can’t wait around just hoping that Death won’t get me. It’s inevitable! I was fine, the beach was fine. But…"
“But?”
I licked my lips. “I thought someone was following me.”
