Chapter 41 A Warning
893words
"Yes," he cut short. "It has everything to do with it. Now can you go talk to her before things get worse?"
I blinked. "Kayn, what can possibly go wrong out there?"
"Everything you—"
"Hello Kayn," Mom forced a smile as she bolted past him into the kitchen. She tugged out a drawer and pulled out a few notepads, before turning to face me. "Remember to pack some cookies. The crew loves them with their coffee."
"I've warned you," Hector called from outside. "Don't come crying to me later!"
"Mom, what is he talking about?"
She waved me off. "He has a problem with us scouting the water tonight. Tells me we have a death wish. Goodness forbid that man is…" her voice trailed as she peered at Kayn. Her face softened, "Your grandfather is looking for you."
I frowned, glancing at Kayn. A sudden, unexplained panic had settled inside the pit of my stomach.
It might be from the desperation written on his face. That, and I could finally get some answers.
"Mom, maybe he's right. I mean you don't know the area too well, and it'll be late in the night."
"Carly love, the crew knows what they are doing," Mom countered. "If all this works out, this could mean a lot of money for us. And we need it after all the debt we made to get here—" she cleared her throat. "Look, not that it's your problem. But we need this. I need this."
"Mom…"
Kayn's eyes bounced between Mom and me.
"I don't have time for this." Mom turned her back to us. "We're going, and it's final."
That's when Kayn mouthed, "Wear the necklace." He pointed to his throat. "Just. Do. It."
***
"Here," Mom called out to our captain and fellow crew member, Lachlan. "It's in this area."
Lachlan gave a curt nod. A fiery curl fell into his pale, freckled face. He had an even redder mustache with a sense of humor to boot.
This was the first time I've seen him, but Mom told me great stories about him, which consisted of bar fights and pacifying rabid bears.
Black waves smashed against the boat's base. Foam swelled and fizzed, rolling away into the dark water as the cabin cruiser slowed down.
The salty water's perfume and something floral clung in the air, the scent reminding me of Kayn.
My mind kept wandering back to him, and to whatever he needed to tell me. Was this one of his ploys to get me off the island, or would there be truth to it?
Without thinking, my hand flew to my neck.
It was bare. I didn't put on the necklace he insisted I should. I wasn't trusting a thing he gave me. Not until I knew what the hell was going on.
On occasion, a soft and refreshing spray flurried over the boat and settled like a caress on my skin.
The world around us was a tangle of dark, unverifiable shapes—the sky a pitch-black cloak littered with dazzling stars and an opalescent glow.
Our boat stood out like a tiny sun—courtesy of Mom and all the spotlights she placed on every side of the cruiser.
If there were such things as mermaids or water monsters, they'd be far gone by now.
I knew I'd be if I had a mysterious ball of light chasing me down.
Mom had a strong belief that shiny things attracted, but this was way too much.
Leaning back in the rear bench, I lifted my legs, placed my feet onto the seat, and pressed the back of my Kindle against my raised knees.
Since I knew this was going to be a long night I made sure to bring along stuff to keep me occupied.
I couldn't believe I was sitting on a boat in the middle of nowhere, seeking out creatures that didn't exist.
"Got the marker," Lachlan announced. "You're right, this is it."
"Wonderful," Mom beamed, bending down to put in a new battery inside her camera. When she got up she turned, handing it to our other crew member, Harris.
He was on the older side, but had more kick in him than a Scottish whiskey.
Mom's words, not mine.
Laugh lines formed on Harris' mocha-toned skin surrounding his eyes as he smiled, taking the camera from her. "Let me know when to roll."
"I will," Mom nodded, glancing past Harris at Lachlan. "Is the sensor working?"
Lachlan held up a thumb. "As smooth as a—" he paused, realizing I was sitting right there. "Uh, it's in tip-top shape."
Mom snorted a laugh, shaking her head before fiddling around with the equipment.
There was a sudden thump against the boat, rocking it more than what was in my comfort zone. Mom and Harris grabbed onto the railings to steady themselves, exchanging looks.
Harris laughed. "That was one hell of a wave there."
"They said the waters are a bit rough on this side but not that bad to cause us any trouble," Mom stated.
My heartbeat evident inside my ears, I switched off my Kindle's screen and sat up, peering into the dark water.
A deep, unnerving feeling burrowed inside my stomach.
I had a bad feeling about this.
