The Journey

excerpt #31

031 – The Kidnap

Debbie sat motionless on the sand, facing the ocean. She watched the crisp blue water moving against the soft beige sand, it was almost soundless at the time, even the waves sounded really soft to her ears. It was early morning under early April warm sun and yet the wind felt cold. At 6.00 a.m. there was no one around at this part of the beach. Debbie enjoyed the solitary as if she owns the beach. The view was gorgeous, calming her. When she was not too absorbed in her own mind she tried to ignore the sting on her cast left arm. She’d been wearing the blue cast since last week and her doctor said she had to wear it for at least 6 weeks. Great. So much for fun summer break. Debbie was supposed to be in Italy with her friends this summer. The incident she had a week ago prevented her from travelling overseas. She was under investigation, with the police involved and everything. It was bizarre. All she did was trying to save a foreign boy from being kidnapped, when she ended up endangering herself in front of a speeding car and then being accused of hiding information from the police and those rude federal agents in finding out the kidnapper. Everyone says it was her fault, and that she should think first before taking this risk in the first place. Sadly, Debbie began to think they were right.

“Good morning.”

Debbie turned toward the sun and looked up to see a tall dark shadow standing away from where she sat. She covered her eyes to with her palm blocking the sunlight and saw a man standing with hands inside the pockets of his dark tailored pants. Despite the impeccable suit, he looked kind of a mess, in a way that his eyes were puffy and he had a scruffy face that looked like he has not shaved for days.

“Hi,” Debbie said confused. She never met the man before.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your morning. I didn’t expect to see anyone here this early.” He said, almost to himself.

Debbie felt rudeness and sadness at the same time.

“I don’t mind sharing the beach.” Debbie said lightly.

A slight move at the corner of his lips looked like an effort to smile.

“You’re very kind.” He said, moving closer and took a seat on the sand still a few steps away from Debbie. He did not seem to mind the sands touching his suit and covering his black leather shoes. His eyes wandered across the blue ocean, then glanced at Debbie and her cast arm. He didn’t say anything, then looked back at the ocean.

“Are you all right?” Debbie asked. Her parents taught her to be polite, and to mind her own business, but she could not help herself asking, seeing the man looked so sad.

The man turned to her with his blue eyes that suddenly turned razor sharp.

“Why do you ask?”

Debbie shrugged.

“I should probably asking you the same question.” The man said, gesturing the cast arm.

“Oh, I’m fine,” Debbie said, “this doesn’t hurt, really.” She lied.

The sharp glare turned softer.

“What happened?”

Debbie did not feel like telling stories. She thought for a quick answer.

“I fell off the curb.” And was hit by a kidnapper’s car.

The man nodded but did not extend any remarks, as if knowing that Debbie did not really want to talk about it. He glanced back to the ocean and seemed to be quite comfortable being in silence. Debbie let it by. She was not here to mind other people’s business, but he had picked her curiosity, made her wonder why he was here with a full suit he seemingly worn from last night’s event. His mind was busy and whatever it was he was thinking at the moment, it made him sad.

They sat side by side in silence for few minutes, enjoying the calm and breathtaking view, then Debbie heard a familiar voice calling her.

“Miss Debbie, they’re waiting for you!” Debbie looked over her shoulder and saw Jess, the helper who worked at the house where she stayed in, waving at her from up the hill.

The man turned to her as Debbie got up.

“It’s breakfast calling.” Debbie said.

“You don’t stay at the Hotel?” he asked, also standing up.

Debbie shook her head. Remembering all the publicity due to the attempted kidnapping a week ago, Debbie tried to avoid unnecessary crowd. She wondered, but glad, that this man did not seem to recognise her. He probably was new to the area.

“I have to go.” Debbie said. “See you around, I guess.”

The man nodded but did not say anything.

As Debbie walked up the hill toward the impatient Jess, she looked back and saw the man was walking away, along the beach. Something was bothering him, and strangely that worried her. He seemed like a nice person.