The Ocean’s City

The boys arrived shortly after, seeming grim and having nothing to say. Hutson hovered over Dannie's chair, placing one hand on her forehead. Dalton didn't seem worried whatsoever as he plopped back down on the chair beside me.

I sat there staring at the waves, wondering how real they could be.

"Would you like to go for a walk?" Dalton asked calmly. I glanced worriedly at Dannie. "She will still be here when we get back."

"I want to stay in sight of her."

"I can manage that," Dalton said as he sat up and reached out a hand for me to take. I refused to take his hand. Instead, I helped myself up, ignoring his disapproving frown, and walked towards the waves that called me to test how real they felt.

My feet stopped on the wet sand, letting the waves come to me. I didn't know what to expect. I had stared at the waves for so long, wondering if they were real. It shocked me when the cold water washed over me and covered my ankles. The waves swept away the sand under my feet, giving me a fainting feeling.

My body shivered softly when the water touched me. Then again, when the sand quickly shifted under me and strong hands were on my arms, allowing me to feel centered, I startled again. "Have you ever been to the beach before?"

"A few times."

"It appears it's your first time."

"I hadn't expected it to feel so real."

"It's as real as anything."

"What is real to you?"

"Silvestia," he warned.

"If… if I were to die here, would I be dead, or is this place like a dream?"

His strong hands tightened around my arms, turning me to look at him.

"I'm just curious," I explained.

"Let's keep your curiosity away from dying, shall we?" He began taking steps along the shore, tugging me gently along with him.

"What can I ask?"

"How about… instead of asking, wait for me to tell you?"

"I'm not sure that's so easy to do."

"Try."

"Can Dannie stay with us?"

"She has a place to stay already."

"But…"

"I'll let you check the place out so I can put your mind to rest. Would you like that?"

I nibbled my lip, contemplating what he was proposing. Then, I quickly nodded my head. The rest of the walk was in silence. I just breathed in the salty, cool air and tried to let my mind relax. When we finally walked back, my brain felt calmer from the exertion. I built the courage to speak.

"Dalton."

"Mmmhmm,"

"I'm… I'm scared."

"That's a valid feeling."

"I- I- wanted to know something." He didn't speak; he just looked at me as if waiting for me to waste my breath on questions he wouldn't answer. "Do you plan on hurting me?"

He shook his head slowly, looking me straight in the eyes, willing me to see the truth. "But today in the diner—"

"I did not harm you. I just simply lost my temper. I'm sorry about that. I will work better at allowing you to ease into this new lifestyle." It may not be the answer I wanted, but I nodded my head anyway, accepting it.

The sun had set by the time we left the beach. We drove straight to Hutson's house with Dannie still asleep. The house was as large as Dalton's, and the area seemed familiar. Hopefully, it meant the two places were pretty close. Hutson carried Dannie inside and brought her into a bedroom that was obviously his.

"You're not sleeping in the same room as her while she is—" I scolded.

"Hutson will be a complete gentleman, Silvestia." I narrowed my eyes at Dalton. How would he know for sure?

Dannie stirred a bit. "I don't feel so well." I dropped the argument and hurried to her, tucking her under the sheets.

"Hutson and I will be back in a few minutes. Why don't you take care of Dannie until then?"

I waved them away, not responding or caring where they were going. I instead focused on Dannie.

The house seemed less like a model home and more like an actual human being living there. The layout differed from Dalton's. It had only one story, and all the rooms were connected to the living room. I explored every room, scavenging for a glass of iced water, not bothering to turn on the lights. The moonlight was bright enough to see everything. The lack of light made me feel like I wasn't being watched and could have a moment to myself.

I placed the glass on the bedside table and checked on Dannie, who had fallen asleep. My eyes searched her face, worrying about leaving her while she was in such a state. It was tempting to hide under the bed just so I could stay with her the whole night, but then I remembered what Dannie said about how my behavior determined her being here and shut the idea down.

My mind was so deep in thought I almost didn't feel the presence watching me. My heartbeat quickened.

Thanks for reading the sixth chapter of The Ocean’s City. Let me know what you think! Grammar Nazis are welcome!