2011 Submissions:
Big Fish in a Small Pond
by Renee P
Part One
"They left me? Seriously?" I accidentally said aloud letting my bag fall to the ground.
I spun around looking up the dusty highway and back down again into the gas station parking lot. No sign of my sisters whatsoever or the red van we rented in Miami. My mouth dropped to the ground in shock feeling lost and suddenly betrayed. I called both of their cellphones. No answer. Straight to voicemail. This was not good.
Why would they leave me here?! I shouldn't have have been so careless. I shouldn't have gotten so upset about this move, I thought to myself picking up my bag off the ground. I headed towards the diner inside the station hoping maybe my sisters were there. I replayed the previous day's events in my mind.
My two sisters and I have been running and hiding our entire lives because of a secret about ourselves that could expose us in the worst possible way. My idea was to stand our ground and fight back and they thought it was ridiculous. So we argued and screamed at each other for both my stupid idea and the cause behind it which was a more severe issue. If I hadn't been so close to the beach to allow those stupid tourists to take a picture of me we wouldn't be in this situation. My sisters Pearl and Marina decided to give me the silent treatment due to my irresponsibility. Not speaking to me I could handle, but abandoning me on the side of the highway was a little much.
Sitting down on one of the little blue stools, I ordered a soft drink. I sighed and drank the soda timidly. Usually caffeine upset my stomach but today I just wanted something bubbly. Something to calm my nerves. That's when I felt a pair of eyes on me, coming from the left down the counter. It was hard not to take a glimpse at the culprit who was staring me down. Before I could even get a good look, he was already up and on his way over to me! I tried to turn away. A horny guy trying to pick me up in a grungy, gas station diner was the last thing I needed right now. I was just going to ignore him, pretend that I didn't notice him standing there but his presence was strong.
"Excuse me, ma'am," the sound of his voice softened my demeanor.
I gave in and swiveled in my seat towards him. Looking at his tall, lean body and warm smile, I didn't feel as threatened as before. This handsome stranger suddenly crinkled his brow as if he had something on his mind.
I coerced him with my eyes. "Yes?"
"Um, were you with the other two girls in that red van?" he asked and I suddenly felt weird again.
I almost got up to run but I didn't want to make a scene in the restaurant. My heart raced causing me to hear the blood pumping in my ears.
"Yeah," I felt my voice shake, "why do you ask?"
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that I saw them leave without you," he informed me kindly.
Peering into his eyes, I was determined to figure out what this stranger wanted from me. It was nice of him to tell me what happened to my sisters, but I still couldn't trust him. It was hard to trust anyone these days.
"You did? Did they appear to be in a hurry?"
"Kinda, two guys got in the van with them and sped off," the tall stranger told me.
Immediately standing up out of the seat, I knew one of two things happened. They abandoned me to hook up with cute southern boys or they were kidnapped by the people who were chasing us. Unfortunately, I knew the answer.
"Oh shit," I mumbled aloud not meaning for him to hear.
I ran a hand through my long blond locks nervously trying to figure out what to do.
"Are you all right? Is something wrong?" the stranger asked as I threw down a handful of dollars and walked out of the diner.
I searched the parking lot for clues. Why didn't they take me too? I was the one who was spotted in Florida.
"Hey wait," the handsome boy was behind me now standing by the dusty gas pumps. "Is there anything I can do to help? Should I call the police?"
At the sound of the word police I panicked. Even they couldn't help us. No one could be trusted especially those with authority. I was on my own.
I finally answered with a resounding, "NO!"
"If they were kidnapped or something..."
I cut him off immediately. "Look, everything's all right. I'll find my sisters on my own."
"So something is wrong. Please, lemme help you," the guy pleaded. "At least let me give you a ride downtown because that's the direction your van was headed."
I spun towards him and stared into his eyes. He appeared to be honest and sincere about giving me a ride, but I couldn't help but feel weary about it. Unfortunately, I didn't have a choice as the only money we had Marina kept in the glove compartment of the van. With a sigh, I extended my hand.
"I'm Echo, and a ride would be great thanks."
"Isaac," the stranger with a name smiled. "My jeep is this way."
Isaac's jeep was nice, clean still with that new car smell. I inhaled deeply trying to relax. The air condition was a refreshing break from the Oklahoma summer heat and the rental van with it's non-existent A/C. I tried to settle my nerves by leaning back into the seat, but I couldn't help but keep a cautious eye on my new friend.
"So were you and your sister's visiting Tulsa?" Isaac asked me curiously.
It was kinda cute that he was trying to make small talk in such a stressful time. I knew he'd be asking questions though. It was inevitable and him finding out who we were was just a risk I was going to have to take. My sister's couldn't be mad at me for this especially if I saved their scrawny little butts. Pearl and Marina, I will get us out of this! I hope you're ok I said in my head hoping that wherever they where they could hear me. I suddenly remembered that Isaac had asked me a question and I forced myself to speak.
Disregarding my nerves I replied, "Oh, uh, no we were just passing through trying to get down to Texas, to the gulf coast."
"Yeah?" Isaac nodded solemnly. "Why won't you call the police if something happened to your sisters?"
I sighed, "It's a long story. I know they're here somewhere."
And I did know. I could feel them. Ever since my sisters and I figured out our little secret we've had a strong connection to each other. Not just a sibling bond, but an almost psychic connection to where if any of us were within a 50 mile radius of one another we could feel it. Sometimes if I tried hard enough I could even see what they saw. It was iffy though, but most of the time it worked. Powers, don't fail me now!
"How do you know? I mean what if those guys are . . . ." I knew he was going to end that sentence with something unthinkable so I cut him off abruptly, an angry tone in my words.
"I just know, ok?! All I have to do is figure out their exact location and get the hell outta this town!"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," Isaac apologized and instantly I felt bad. "Are you guys in some kind of trouble with the cops or something?"
Isaac didn't know how close to the truth he was yet he still kept trying to help and I practically bit his head off. I realized he was my only friend in the world right now so I turned to him with a small smile.
"No, look, I don't mean to be rude I'm just stressed out. You're gonna have to take my word for it that they'll be ok and I will find them without the help of the police."
"All right," Isaac agreed even though I could still see a small hint of doubt in his expression. "Then, I will help you find them."
"You don't have to do that. Just drop me off downtown."
"No, I want to. I'm the only one who saw those men drive away with your sisters," he continued, "and I've lived in Tulsa all my life. I know this city inside and out."
I had to admit that Isaac was right. I'd find them a lot faster with the help of someone who knew the streets, the surroundings where the hunters probably hid my family. Yes, they had to be hunters I decided or the government or some kind of agency who found out about the photo that was taken of me in Florida. In that case, we didn't have much time. Not only would these hunters be making arrangements to have my sisters sent to some lab for experimentation but we also didn't have much time until the next full moon. It had the power to erase what we were if we didn't obey the magic cardinal rule- to be in the ocean on the night the moon is full. I suddenly felt nervous as panic set in. I needed to think, to formulate a plan, and to get to water quickly. Isaac was more than right about me needing his help.
"Ok, " I agreed, "I appreciate it. As much as I think I can take care of myself, it probably wouldn't hurt to have your knowledge of the city at my disposal."
Isaac grinned as cute little dimples appeared on his cheeks, "Great. It's the least I could do. Well, it's getting late. You can stay at my place if you want. I'm gonna warn you though, it's not the most clean apartment. Sadly, I live with my two younger brothers."
"I completely understand," I had to laugh at the fact that we both put up with such similar family situations. I wondered if his siblings drove him as crazy as mine drove me.
"One of them is out of town though and the other is usually out for most of the evening so you're more than welcome to crash on our couch, get cleaned up, whatever you need to do. I can make us some dinner too I'm sure you're hungry unless..."
At the mere mention of sleep and a possible hot bath I rejoiced, "Wow, Isaac, that'd be amazing right now. Maybe if I relax and get my head together I can figure out what to do. I don't know how to thank you enough."
"It's my pleasure," he smiled sweetly as we pulled into a parking lot on the side of a tall apartment complex.
All I needed was a tub full of water, a couple of hours of rest, and I'd be ready to find Pearl and Marina. I planned to do whatever it took to save my sisters.
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