Freak of Nature - By Julia Crane Page 0,53
few people skated past her.
She left the sidewalk and stepped onto the sandy beach. The grey-blue ocean spread before her beneath a sky of white, fluffy clouds. There were couples walking hand in hand or sitting on blankets near the water while their children made sand castles. Kaitlyn pulled off her shoes and stepped barefoot onto the warm, gritty sand, making a straight line for the water. No one gave her a second glance. For the first time in her new life she felt invisible. She was just another person enjoying the beach. The thought was comforting, even though she knew it was far from the truth. She would never be truly human again.
It felt so natural to step into the surf. The ocean waves lapping against the sand and her feet had a calming effect on her. Almost like the way Lucas calmed her mind.
She noticed some people were sleeping on the beach, and she wondered if she should do that as well, but her sensors flashed Caution. After a quick scan, she realized she needed to find a hotel. Reluctantly, Kaitlyn made her way across the beach and back to the main road.
Several hotels lined the street, many of them flashing Vacancy signs. She entered the first hotel and greeted the clerk behind the counter.
“I would like to stay the night, please,” Kaitlyn said.
“Of course.” The older woman turned to her computer and started clicking on the keyboard. “One night will be ninety-seven.”
Kaitlyn reached in her bag and handed the clerk a hundred.
“No, sorry. We need a credit card to keep on file.”
Kaitlyn stared at her blankly.
“A credit card. You know, the plastic card with one of these symbols.” The clerk pointed at a sign on the counter.
Kaitlyn’s scans recognized the five colorful emblems. Within seconds, she knew what each stood for and she knew she didn’t have one.
“I don’t have one of those,” she said, holding out the hundred dollar bill. “I only have cash.”
“Company policy. No card, no room.”
Kaitlyn shoved the money back in the side pocket of her bag before she slung it on her shoulders. “Do you know of any hotels in the area that don’t require credit cards?” she asked stiffly.
“Sorry, dear. Those kinds of no-tell-motels are across the bridge on the bad side of town.”
Why did everyone keep saying bad? Bad people. Bad side of town.
Kaitlyn pushed the glass door open and stepped back outside. She didn’t need to sleep, but her body needed to recharge, and if she stayed awake too long it would drain her energy. And when she was on the run, that wasn’t ideal. She needed to find a place to rest for the night. She also needed to find a change of clothes.
Follow your instincts.
Kaitlyn walked, letting her feet take her wherever they wandered. Off the main highway and deep into a residential part of town, she passed colorful Spanish-themed houses with brilliant green lawns beneath the spray of sprinklers.
She had been wandering for two hours when a wave of familiarity washed over her. She had been here before. The sun had set and the street lights came to life.
She turned left down Green Street and walked to the end of the cul-de-sac. Without a thought, she came to a stop in front of a large white stucco home. The porch light was on, and lamps glowed from several windows. She stared at the wooden swing on the porch, and images flashed before her—sitting on the swing with her parents, and later, with Evan. This house had been her home. Her body tingled with excitement. Her parents were behind the door.
She fought the urge to run up the stairs and ring the doorbell. It would be cruel to come back from the dead. Her parents would never understand. Her excitement quickly turned to overwhelming sadness.
Kaitlyn hung her head and spun on the ball of her foot, leaving without a single glance back.
On autopilot, Kaitlyn took a left down Sanders and a right down Oakwood Drive. Evan. Her body was pulling her to Evan. She wanted to resist, but her feet kept moving forward. Just one peek. She wanted to see him, she had to, and then she would leave.
She was watching the pavement, lost in her own thoughts, when she heard laughter. She looked up to find a couple walking towards her—a blond-haired guy and a beautiful blonde girl.
Kaitlyn’s body revved up, and just as quickly her body stabilized as her sensors overrode the fight or flight