All Chapters of From Shadows, Emerging Tides: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

It’s been fourteen days of rain, day in and day out, Melody went out and removed the plywood from the windows two days ago. Into the continuous rain, the thought of being boarded up and cooped up, no longer suits Melody’s idea of coastal living. The sunroom, once tinted with various sun rays of neon carrot, amber, and peachy-gold has been gloomy. Puffy light charcoal clouds take up the sky, tinting the coastline. The endless rain mixes with the churning grey-blue waves. All Melody sees is a gloomy pewter atmosphere outside. We are being nourished, the ground, grass, and trees. Even the Ocean.She opens a window to breathe in the salty air and the fresh rain. The bamboo plant remains in the corner, whilst Melody has brought in a warm amber light, and lined the wall trim with some green leaf garland. The shiplap walls of crème and white, have blue picture frames beholding sea shells. The white wicker and glass coffee table, she has scrubbed and cleaned removing any old dust built up

Melody’s eyes close, feeling Gage’s lips connect, soft velvety, sparks ignite, a sudden charge of passion and desire, she stays there, accepting it. He deepens the kiss, the world around them fades away, waves crash below them by the shore. In her bed, Melody’s eyes jolt open, a churning in her heart, she feels Blaze, cold, dark, angry. His soul has found hers. She lets out a cry, her eyes swell with tears, agony fills her spirit. A message on her phone chimes, “Who is the man?” Then pictures, are sent. At the boardwalk with the kids having ice cream, their surf lesson, the boat ride, and finally, Melody and Gages kiss. She smiles at all the photos, then looks at pearl sleeping soundly, her ribs expanding, rising and falling, with each breath, the fast tempo of a puppy, her paws twitch a little as if she’s dreaming of running or playing. Melody relaxes, listening to the ocean waves roar and crash outside. Blazes energy evaporates as quickly as it appeared. Melody rises from bed, na

A high pitched whine, followed by dainty barking pierces Melody’s ears, startling her awake. Her body shudders, arms flail upward, as Melody’s heart pounds against her ribcage, her chest expands rapidly, then she realizes it’s Pearl. The nine week old English cream Golden Retriever, is sounding off, alerting the whole house, she is here, awake, and needs to go outside. A smile spreads across Melody’s face, her whiskey-green amber eyes, soften and melt gazing at Pearl. “Hi sweetie,” Melody’s voice cracking, softly speaking. She rises from bed, shimmying her feet into some slip on sneakers, and wraps a light long grey sweater over her body. Pearl is freed from her wire crate, into Melody’s arms, holding her close, her warm body, melts into Melody’s heart. She can feel Pearl’s heart beating against hers. A precious life, to savor and care for. Melody deactivates the alarm, and latches pearls leash on, the front door swings open with a gentle pull. Melody moves hurriedly down the cement

Melody looks around to see if Blaze is anywhere in sight.She looks at Gage and the children, “Excuse me for a moment.” She steps away from the table and leans against the wooden fence, a few feet away, peering at the ocean. Melody gripping her phone, whilst shaking calls her lawyer to discuss the details of the mystery envelope. Flipping through the stack of papers, “Yes, he is suing for custody. I filed reports in Dallas for the abusive behavior. I want a restraining order. The children need to stay with me. Also, anything acquired after Monday is separate; my grandmother’s cottage, my new vehicle, it’s all mine.” A pause while she listens. “Ok, great, thank you.” She ends the call, glances at the blue sky resting above the roaring aquamarine waves, listening to them crash and splash, she faces Gage and her children, Melody resumes her place at the table. She looks at Gage, Jet, and the kids. “I’m sorry, kiddos. Are y’all finished with your ice cream. Do you want to ride some more

The gravel crunches beneath the tires of the Rav four like breaking glass, a sound that causes Melody Blackthorne’s heart to hammer against her ribs. She cuts the engine, but her fingers remain glued, curled tight around the steering wheel until her knuckles turn the color of the white waves crashing ahead of her. For close to two thousand miles, she had checked her rearview mirror every sixty seconds, waiting for the sleek, silver glint of Blaze’s Mercedes to appear like a shark in the wake. She’s thirty-nine years old, and currently a fugitive from her own life, hiding on the sandy outskirts of Emerald Isle, North Carolina. “Mom, are we here?” seven-year-old Mia already unbuckling her seatbelt, hazel eyes wide as she peers at the freshly stained white and blue cedar shingled cottage, then over at the beach. “Wait one moment, darling. Let’s make sure it’s safe first before we unbuckle and get out. Ok.” Melody whispers, her voice cracking. She takes a shuddering breath, trying to f