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The rest of the renters are starting to stir; both sets of families are already out on the beach, the little kids decked out in patriotic swimsuits and water wings. The parents are standing around with coffee, chatting, while the little ones run around the sand playing tag. I’m assuming they’ll let the kids swim a bit to burn off some energy, then head into town for breakfast, or maybe an early lunch. There’s no sign yet of the other guests, but that makes sense. I don’t expect the influencers or the dudebros to be up this early. It’s not even nine yet.
I wave to the families as I make my way back into my cabin, reminding them that everything in town closes at five this afternoon for the holiday. Once I’m inside, I beeline to the table and dive into my chocolate bread. Libra has outdone herself. These are flaky and rich, almost exactly like the ones I had in Paris. I eat three and sit back with a smile.
I take out my phone and add the new arrival to the note I’m using to keep track of the guests:
Cabin 1: Eddie and Carla Wilson. Children: Kelsey, Becca, and Steven.
Cabin 2: Derek and Crystal Hefferman (Crystal and Carla are sisters). Children: Jenny, Madison, Justin, and Shawn.
Cabin 3: Travis Arbon, Mike Holstedt, Bobby Waines. Keep an eye on them.
Cabin 4: Izzy Larsen, Nalani Finch, Alexia Day, Keisha Andrews. Total followers just exceed one million. Make sure they post about the resort.
Cabin 5: Me.
Cabin 6: Wickham Jones. Paid by cash transfer?
I answer a handful of emails, then put down my phone and stretch. I should probably do more work, but it’s a holiday and I feel like I’ve earned a break, so I go back outside and sit on my porch, just watching the families having fun in the water.
The frat bros are still nowhere to be seen, but the influencers have staked out a little corner of the sand, where they’re lying out and baking, phones on hand to capture every possible photo opportunity. Hey, not gonna lie, I’ll take the free press. It’s why we offered them a discount on the cabin, after all.
Wickham is in the water too, which surprises me for some reason. I don’t know why; what would be the point in renting a cabin out here if you weren’t going to enjoy the lake? But something about him struck me as too straight-laced to hop in water on a sunny afternoon. Plus, he just arrived a little while ago, and like I said, didn’t even seem to have luggage, including a swimsuit. It seems like he’d take some time to settle in, or maybe head to town for supplies or something.
But instead, he’s out there, the sun glinting on his hair and bringing out the blue again. He’s almost all the way at the buoy that surrounds the swimming area, but he doesn’t appear interested in crossing it. He’s just floating out there, sunglasses covering his eyes.
I sort of wish he weren’t out so deep. I’d like to get a peek of him wearing nothing but some swim trunks. I bet he has nice abs, and one of those sexy V-cuts at the hips. I squint, trying to get a closer look, but he’s mostly submerged. I can’t even check out his biceps, though I can see that he has nice, broad shoulders.
He’s pushing all of my buttons and is completely my type. I smile to myself. One thing about me, I always go for what I want. No point in wishing for something from afar; you have to make things happen. And I would very much like something to happen with Mr. Jones out there.
So. I’ve got to get to know him better. Find a way to spend some time with him. Shouldn’t be a problem. After all, I have two weeks.
Wickham
The large humansand their offspring are in the water, but so far, they are staying within the boundaries that Haven has provided. As part of the agreement with the Lady, this area of the lake is safe for them. But they should not venture beyond the barrier; I’m not the only danger that lives in the lake, and with things as unsettled as they are, it isn’t wise to tempt fate.
Normally, I would not concern myself with whether humans encounter the water’s other inhabitants, but these small ones are innocents. After observing her for the last few months, I’ve learned this place is important to Haven, and I continue to be intrigued by her. If something were to happen to these children, she would be upset, I think.
So I’m keeping an eye on things for now. Biding my time while I wait and see how things unfold. How I should handle this situation. What I will tell the Lady.
The smaller humans are laughing and splashing, being quite noisy. They’re throwing some sort of ball around, making their way deeper and deeper into the water. They all seem to know how to swim, but I am uneasy by their proximity to the barrier.
I continue to watch, keeping my distance.
Eventually, the adult humans exit the water, settling on the loungers along the beach. They don’t seem to be paying much attention to their offspring; they are all engaged in conversation with one another, and one of the males is starting a fire, which is odd. Today is exceptionally sunny and warm; why would they need fire? Humans are strange creatures, it is true, but surely they can’t need a warmer environment than a day like this.
I watch as he gets flames going on the round device, which appears to have some sort of grate on it. He tosses food on the grate and I realize that this is some sort of primitive cooking method. The cabin Haven rented to me has a full kitchen, complete with cooking devices, but perhaps these humans do not know how to use them. That seems unlikely, though. Even I, a creature of the water, know how to use a stove and an oven. I learned to cook many, many years ago, even though I generally dislike cooked food.
It seems quite early to be cooking meat, but from the smell of things, that’s what the male is doing. I wrinkle my nose. Why do humans insist on cooking their meat? It’s so much better when it’s fresh on the bone. I regret that I was not able to feast on the human I killed recently, but the Lady forbade it. She said to let the body go so the humans could find it. I did not question her; she always has reasons for her actions. Eventually they will become clear.
But still. He would have made an excellent meal.
I shift my attention back to the young ones in the water. They have made it all the way to the barrier, and sure enough, the ball they are playing with goes over the buoy. Why aren’t their parents out here watching them? Keeping them safe? I sigh.
As I watch, one of the children starts to go after the ball.
Bollocks.This is not technically part of my job. I am not a…lifeguard. A babysitter. Whatever humans call those who mind their young.
But I can’t very well let them go into the deeper water. Something could happen and then Haven would be upset. As would the Lady.
