by Lisa Larsen

Created on: September 28, 2009   Last Updated: September 30, 2009

SOUL SEARCHING

The helicopter hovered, its searchlight trained on the couple walking through the wet sand. The high tide lapped at their ankles. Tom looked up, and the beam exploded against his pupils, leaving nothing but red hot spots on the backs of his eyelids.
What the hell are they looking for? He knuckled his eyes until his vision returned. The light slithered out across the breakers, illuminating circles of gray froth. A Coast Guard cutter appeared, adding its blue flashes to the night.

Someone must be missing, Janet said. Maybe from that beach party at the Pier. Small clusters of onlookers dotted the shoreline, murmuring excitedly the way an audience does before the curtain goes up. Tom took Janet's hand and guided her past them, the first physical contact they had shared since yesterday. In spite of the thick humid air, her hand was cold and stiff. They walked slowly, found a deserted section of beach and stood looking out over the water.
You told me you wouldn't see her again.
Shit, Jan, you've already got me convicted and hanged. The returning light zigzagged between land and sea and reattached itself to Tom, exposing his angular nose and deep-set eyes, his pointed chin black with stubble. The pounding helicopter blades reminded him of an episode of MASH. A second later they were again in darkness.
You don't trust me, he whispered. Suddenly the placid water in front of them churned and spat out a woman's figure. She stumbled forward and managed to straighten. Janet moved tight against Tom. The chopper swooped away leaving them in near silence.
Hey, what're they lookin' for? Her voice was flat and chilled. She almost lost her balance as she took a step toward them. I'm so tired, she mumbled. I swam all the way from the Pier. She said it like a commuter just back from work. The helicopter was coming. Its probing beacon sent her scurrying to Tom's side. He put his arm around Janet and pushed past the woman just as the beam landed on them. Like a trapped animal, she looked around frantically and scuttled into the shadows.
I don't know what she's hiding from, Tom said, but let's get away from her. They hurried down the beach.
I know where you went last night, Janet said.
Jesus, what do I have to do to get past this?
Just tell the truth, that's all.
You haven't believed me so far. What else can I say? A blanket of darkness surrounded them, smothered thoughts before they became words. The helicopter's blades pounded the air into his chest like a man's

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>