Episode 9: A Strange Appearance
I tried to turn over from the sunlight falling on my face just to hit a hard figure. I opened my eyes and it took me two minutes to realize that we had fallen asleep in the tree house. The hard figure I had hit was a curled up Joanne tucked under covers. I, too, was tucked in. I guess, I was the first one to doze off.
Last night was refreshing. I hadn’t had a girls’ night in so long. A nice night of reminiscing. We tried catching up on the eight years we were apart and slept from exhaustion but with contented hearts like we did back when we were kids.
I checked my cell for the time and then woke Joanne up. We were late for breakfast, not to mention last night's dinner. We were both getting an earful from our parents. But she seemed awfully relaxed.
“What?” she asked after noticing my expression.
“You spent the last night out. Aren’t you even the least bit scared of your parents?” I was already starting to figure it out when she gave me a notorious grin. The kinda grin that says, “Thank God, I am not in such a situation! You have my sympathies.”
“You moved out, huh?” Joanne nodded her head with a hundred dollar smile.
“Didn’t you? You're the city girl,” she mocked.
I sighed. “I almost did. I argued and argued for two years after I turned 17. And just when I was about to, we moved back here. Grandpa wanted us all together.”
“Lier,” she taunted, “You missed us that badly, huh?”
“I did,” I smiled. “Let’s go have breakfast at my home.”
“You are just asking me to tag along 'cause you are afraid of your mom. Little girl,” she went on teasing as I headed for the door.
“Yes, I am petrified. Now are you coming or not?”
She hurried after me as we both walked home. Another adventure, ofcourse, from where coming out alive seemed of the highest difficulty level.
That evening we went to meet Alfie and Larry at the dock owned by the Hursts. I was hesitant but Joanne convinced me. Apparently, they had all been worried.
“So good to see you in flesh and blood again!” Alfie greeted me. “When you were gone for so long I assumed I would find bones and blood in the woods. I almost dialed the forest station and animal control.”
"Why animal control? Are there dangerous animals in the woods?" I asked and instantly regretted.
"Well, we couldn't just unleash you on the scared, delicate animals of the forest."
Larry and Joanne burst into laughter when I hit him on the arm.
"I am glad it's not the same punch that punctured Eric's face," Alfie smirked. He wasn’t like the other Hursts. He was easy to be around. He might seem hostile at first but he was just like us.
“I am surprised you called us out today. Don't you have school tomorrow?” Larry asked Alfie and my jaw dropped open.
“You are still in school!” Joanne and Larry laughed again at my utter shock while Alfie gave his devilish grin.
“A senior.”
“Well, you certainly don’t act like one.”
“Narrow-minded folks, don’t forget, 'Age is but just a number,'” Alfie quoted. Another round of laughter followed.
Looking at them it only seemed fair that they ended up together. They belonged together. I smiled. Joanne caught my glance and flushed a deep scarlet.
“Hey,” Alfie said quietly when the other two were indulged in their own jokes. “I am sorry about that night.”
“Would you look at that? You mean what you say, for a change,” I was relieved none of them blamed me or even doubted me the slightest; that Eric, atleast, didn’t lie to them to save his own skin.
I watched as the sun went down behind the horizon and as the stars sparkled in the dark sky. I listened to their gossips and laughters and my heart felt warm. I smiled at them. I made the right choice by moving back here. I was happy as the wind blew my hair over my face and the smell of Joanne’s shampoo filled the air.
After a few more rounds of gossiping and taunting, we thought it was time. Atleast, Joanne did. She had made a promise to my mom to return me home before dinner.
As the four of us walked through the dock I saw a gorgeous lady with familiar inhuman features enter the ship beside the one we had been.
“Is that ship yours as well?” I asked Alfie.
“No. It belongs to the most beautiful lady I have ever seen. Damn, how I wish I was older!” Alfie sighed but I could see longing in his eyes.
Joanne muttered something about “Flirtatious kids” and they all laughed. But I was lost in thoughts. How come none of them had noticed her long ears, slightly pointed nose and golden yellow eyes?