The Night embrace

ALICIA'S P.O.V

My father Eddie Lindsey drove me down to the seashore with the windows rolled down while I stared out at the moist cloud. It was during fall season and I was wearing my favourite red striped shirt, lace; and a hood which I carried along for the cold.

Eddie was a cop in California, and I had moved back recently to spend some time with him after my mother's death. The city had not been safe for two years now as Eddie had brought back several pictures of people who were victims of diverse death scenes and it turned out that each victim had four deep wounds being imprinted on their neck and a shortage of blood but no one had a clue of what it was that terrorized the city.

I spent most of my time indoors since there wasn’t much to do and Eddie had been worried so when the opportunity to let me out was offered he Insisted I take it. I would not have accepted the idea if not that leaving would mean a lot to him than staying will.

It was a trip to Catalina Island which was only an hour's shipping from California and I was going to spend the vacation with my childhood friend Katherine and her elder brother Kelvin who had been on the Island for a while now.

"Dad," I said to him once more before I got on the ship. "Are you sure you want this?"

"This means a lot to me. Don't worry I will be fine," he lied. He had always been a terrible liar, 

He had been telling those lies frequently that he sounded almost convincing now.

"Take care of yourself,"

"I will, don't fail to give me a call if anything goes wrong," he said as I could see the sacrifice in his eyes.

"I'll be okay. I love you dad,"

We embraced each other and then I entered the ship and in a short time the ship sailed off.

Just as expected, It was an hour and a few minutes shipping from California to Catalina Island and I spent most of the hours staring at the waves and spinning dolphins.

When the ship arrived at the Island Katherine was waiting for me on the sea coast and as usual Kelvin was checking up on his car; he had always been mindful of his possessions at least that was how I knew him as long as I can remember but it was different with Katherine. 

Neither of us was what anyone would call materialistic and I didn't know what there was to say regardless. 

"It's good to see you Alicia," Katherine said, smiling as we embraced each other. I knew she was more than excited by my decision, but I didn't make a secret of my distaste for leaving Eddie.

How could I leave my loving father to take care of himself?

We stopped before Kelvin who was still squatted down beside his car while examining the tyre.

"Is everything okay?" I asked when he took off the air pump which he had earlier inserted into the tyre valve.

"Yeah, I just needed to inflate it a little before Alicia's arrival," he answered reluctantly.

"Kelvin…?" Katherine stressed with a ridiculous gaze at him.

I watched him hesitate as he turned back to us and the instant he saw me he jerked up. "Alicia… I'm sorry I didn't see you there. Wow, It's good to see you," he wrapped his arm around me.

I felt awkward for a moment since I wasn't used to being embraced by a guy that hard but it ended soon after Katherine had told him that I was barely breathing.

"Sorry…," he apologized swiftly as he automatically caught and steadied me. "You haven't changed much. How is Eddie?"

"He is doing great,"

"Nice. let me have that," he took my box from me as he stocked it into his car boot.

During the ride Katherine told me of their three bedroom flat which was on a mountain also a mile away from the little town towards the seashore. I loved the height. Having to watch the city from a high view was great, especially being away from the noise. Nevertheless, that wasn't where we were heading as deeper in the Island was the place we would be camping.

It was at the dales and we had crossed an old bridge whose entrance was covered with a hard earth structure above, stretching out horizontally to form a cliff on either side of the bridge.

The bridge was the shortest route while returning to the town or probably the only safest path.

We arrived at the camp at noon and there were many people unlike how it should be during fall season but of course they were mostly youths and teens as Katherine has told me that the camp director made sure that the age grade was between 18 to 32 years old.

"Welcome to camp, a place full of supernatural folks; Mean people who won't think twice before freaking you out. Don't worry I'm only kidding," Kelvin smirked immediately he saw my uncertain stare as he turned around then pushed the cabin door open.

It was only a room but it was already in order since they had cleaned it up before my arrival. It lacked colour and there was nothing fancy except for two beds towards the right end, three wooden chairs at the centre of the cabin and a round wooden table in between the chairs.

"Won't you be coming with us, to explore the camp and meet new people," Katherine turned to me after Kelvin had arranged my box together with theirs

"No, you guys can go on, I have to rest,"

"No problem, take your time but get set because the party starts tonight," she said and afterwards she and Kelvin left the cabin.

I stared up at the fireworks which blasted in the sky that night by eight pm. The camp was full and the sound of the music filled the air while almost everyone was dancing to the beat.

I didn't fit into the crowd and luckily there were a few like me but I couldn't wait for things to get less noisy and that was only possible if the camp director would come up.

"Hi, would you like a drink?" a waiter bearing a tray of glasses of drinks stopped before me.

"No, thanks. I'm fine,"

"I'll have one," a young man bursted in as he took a glass of drink and when the waiter left he turned to me. "Hi, looks like today is your first day," 

"Yeah," I stocked my hands into my hood pocket.

"Are you alone? If you are, I hope you don't mind taking a walk with me," he took a sip of the drink with a weird gaze at me.

"No thanks. I came with someone and I'm heading to meet them. I should probably leave now," I was about to take a step as he caught me by the arm.

"Take your hands off," I turned to him furiously.

"Easy, it's just a walk,"

"You heard the lady, Luther?" Another young man approached us as I turned to him. "Let her go… now!"

After a short stare he let go of my arm and taking backward steps, he vanished into the midst of the people.

"Are you alright?" The young man who intervened said as I turned to him.

"Yes. Thanks," 

"My name is Marcus,"

"I am Alicia," I looked into his eyes and the moment we exchanged handshakes I noticed his eyes glitter under the moonlight. He freeze for a few seconds and hastily withdrew his hands.

"I have to leave,"

What in the world was that? I thought frightened as I turned around. "Hold on," I tried to stop him but before I could he left in a hurry.