With Faye and Marina safe in Donna’s care, I grab my bag and head to work. On my way to the club, I take a detour, passing by the observation deck on the cliff that opens up its view onto the ocean and the shore below me. Usually, it’s deserted. While swimming is allowed there, not many take the opportunity. Donna told me one would need to be a good swimmer as the waves are strong.
Today, however, I spy the silhouette of a young man. He undresses and swiftly jumps into the water. After a while, he gets out again, resting on one of the rocks. Even from a distance, I can see how strong he is built. I feel creepy watching him, butthere is something inside me that makes it difficult to leave, as if something is pulling me to him.
My chest aches, but not in a bad way. Like a longing I haven’t ever felt before. For a moment, I just stand there with my hand on my chest, trying to gauge and grasp this feeling.
My sense of duty wins over my curiosity, though. I need to go to work, or I will get fired for real. My boss is still waiting for an answer, and I can only stall, or better, convince him when I am diligent in every other aspect of my work.
I cast one last glance at the dreamy young man on the beach before tearing my attention away from him and hurrying to the club. The longing in my chest turns more into an ache the further I get away from the beach.
Weird.
I have to hurry not to be late, but right before I disappear through the staff entrance of the club, a shiver runs down my spine. The same creepy feeling I’ve had for days. Maybe I really am getting paranoid, but it also doesn’t feel right to completely ignore the feeling.
I should be very careful where I go from now on, especially when I am alone.
*FELIX*
“Guys!” I yell, ripping the door open.
Both Dario and Charlie move so fast towards me they almost knock me over. “What happened?” Dario exclaims, clear panic in his voice.
“An attack?” Charlie asks.
“No, no!” I take a couple of breaths, stopping myself from hyperventilating. “My mate!”
It takes a moment for it to sink fully in.
“Wait…” Dario’s voice trails off.
Charlie gapes. “No fucking way!”
“Yes fucking way,” I exclaim.
“That’s fantastic news,” Dario smiles. “Where is she?”
“That’s the problem. I took up her scent, but when I followed, it she was suddenly gone. She has to be somewhere in this town. You have to help me look.”
Without wasting any more time or asking useless questions, both of them nod in unison. “What does she look like?” Dario asks.
“I couldn’t see every detail,” I admit. “But her hair was long and curly. You haven’t seen such hair before.”
“When you say curly...“
“I mean those natural, wild curls,” I verify.
“You are right, that’s rare.”
Dario grasps me by my shoulders. “Take deep breaths. This is fantastic news.” He exchanges a look with Charlie, who nods at us.
“I am going ahead,” she says. “I will search the center of the town, you two do the outskirts. It’s the bigger area.”
With that, she slips out of the room and leaves us behind.
“What’s wrong?” Dario asks quietly. “You should look happy, but instead you look terrified. Are you worried we won’t find her? We definitely will! She can’t have gone far.”
“What if she left town?”
“Did she have any bags with her? Did she look like someone only passing by?”
