The Ocean’s City
Chapter 38

Fran stood at the doorway with her arms crossed, staring at Jones. She shot me a look with an angry expression. “I don’t like him, sis. Something is off about him, and he isn’t from around here.” 

“Perhaps he will understand what I am saying then,” I snapped, giving her a cold shoulder.

“Look, I know you hit your head, but you should know… you promised me you would never leave me alone with him. I understand you feel puzzled now, but please promise me this one thing… don’t leave me alone with him.”

I looked at her, noting the fear in her body as she tensed up. Was she trying to tell me something in between the lines?

Was he dangerous like Dalton?

No matter the reason, I gave her a slight nod before he joyously walked over with the men, joking about my failed escape. He sat by the fire on one of the makeshift benches and inspected the pot over it. He looked up at us like he knew what we were talking about, and his eyebrows gave an innocent dance.

“You ladies best come sit down and get some grub. No need to stare at us like zoo animals or anything. We may smell like a pair, and Tony looks like one, but...”

He playfully smirked at the disapproving glare from Tony. Then his tone became very serious as his facial expression landed back on me, and I patted the seat. The familiar stern look set my heart on fire.

The other men started dishing out their meals as Jone’s eyes stayed heavy on mine. I looked back at him as if I were searching for the truth. Then, at my supposed sister, who looked at him with complete unease. I could already see her inching back into the house. I glanced again at the man and felt an empty, hurtful feeling. This was not Dalton.

“Come sit,” he called again.

I shook my head no. “So we don’t know when Dalton will be back?”

He shook his head slowly.

I gave another nod, headed into the house, found the single bedroom in the back, and crawled into the sheets.

The dreams did not come easy.

…

The hard bed creaked as it was met with the force of someone crawling in. I jolted awake and met a pair of eyes that looked like mine. “I’m sorry, sis.”

“What the hell?”

“The men have made camp here, and I thought… I thought it was better if I stayed here with you.”

“The men are sleeping in the house?”

“Oh, heavens no! Dalton would have had their heads for sure! They are outside.”

“Then why can’t you sleep in the other room?”

“Jones is camping with them.”

I heard the creak in her voice before I saw the shimmer in her eyes.

“What in the world did he do to you?”

She shook her head, causing the bed to shake. “N… Nothing I—”

“He is like Dalton, isn’t he?”

She sucked in her breath sharply. Then, in the faintest of all whispers, she spoke. It was so quiet like she didn’t even want a mosquito to hear her. It caused goosebumps to rise on my skin. “You… Know I can’t…”

It was like she barely said it at all. I was sure that if there was no moonlight shining in, I wouldn’t know what she said.

I searched her eyes, and she showed me her complete and utter discomfort. I sighed as I tossed the blanket and made room for her. It was annoying how her smile rose, and she scooted close to me.

She made several tosses before she felt comfortable enough to sleep. “Thank you, sis.” Her nerves still caused her voice to quiver.

“Go to sleep.”

She didn’t dare to make any remark. I lay wide awake in the awkward silence, sensing she wanted to continue to talk to me. My mind ran wild as I tried to figure out what exactly she knew. Did they all know but me?

An owl faintly hooted in the soft night breeze. I felt her body steadily relax, and her breath became longer. Still, just before she fell into a deep slumber, her hand found mine, latching on like a lost kitten replaceing its home. There was something so innocent about her action I didn’t tear my hand from hers.

She was off to the dream world, and I was off thinking about Dannie and my dreams of losing my chance to aid in replaceing her again.