Chapter Ten

Thursday, July 28, 2020 at 10am

A good forty-five minutes later, they had arrived at Tidewater Beach. They drove up and parked in the driveway of a rather large one-story house with huge glass windows and doors. The house had blue walls and a gray roof. Destiny was entranced by the beautiful house. The air smelled of salt and driftwood.

“Come on.” He nudged. The interior was even more breathtaking. As soon as they walked through the front door they were welcomed by a cool ocean breeze.All the back wall was an open doorway leading to a large deck complete with a jacuzzi and pool. The view of the ocean was amazing.

“I have never been to the beach before.” Destiny admitted.

“Well now you have.” Edwin said. “have a look around. I’ll be right back.”

Destiny walked out onto the deck and leaned on the rail, gazing out at the water. The weather was perfect. Beautiful blue skies a few white clouds drifted over the horizon. A soft breeze gently whipped Destiny in the face.

The house overlooked a small cove. The beach was covered with large rocks and had very little sand. There were few people out on the beach. Towards the left side of the cove was a red and white lighthouse. It was so close that Destiny could hit it with a rock.

When Edwin returned, he was shirtless and had on green swimming trunks with black stripes down the side. His bare chest was perfectly chiseled. He didn't look like your typical nerd. He had a six pack, broad shoulders and bulging biceps.

“Here.” He said. He was holding a blue and green deco swimsuit for Destiny to take. ’Try this on.”

“What’s this?” She asked.

“It was my mother’s swimsuit. She never got a chance to wear it. It might be a little big but-”

“We’re going swimming?”

“Well...yeah!”

“I don’t know how to swim.” She admitted. Edwin failed to mask his shock. His face quickly changed to a big smile.

“I’ll teach you.” Destiny was skeptical. She had never set foot in a body of water other than the bathtub and the kiddy pool when Wayne and Kimberly made her get baptised.

She looked down at the ugly bathing suit he was stilling holding.

“The bedroom is down the hall. You can change in there.” Destiny grabbed the suit and made her way to the bedroom. Everywhere she looked, there was some sort of nautical theme or decoration. From the starfish decals to the starfish accents and “Life’s a Beach” wall hangings.

The bedroom was just as beautiful as the rest of the house. A huge bed with a fluffy white comforter on a sandwood bed frame. There were half a dozen throw pillows on the bed in various shades of green and blue and some with mini seahorses on them. It looked like a giant cloud. She wanted to jump up and down on it. Destiny undressed and put on the swimsuit. She stared at herself in the closet mirror. Just as she suspected it was hideous. The swimsuit was two sizes too big and Destiny was swimming in it. The front was too open nearly revealing her chest.

Destiny opened the closet to look for a shirt she could put over the suit. In the closet was the duffle bag that Edwin had brought with them. She wondered what he packed. She thought. She opened it up. Inside were a few bottles of water. some suntain lotion, nasal stripes to prevent snoring, a couple sweatshirts, white tees, and jeans. Underneath was a lumpy white sock. Destiny picked it up and heard something crunch.

Upon opening up the sock, she saw several condoms. Destiny stared at it in disbelief. Guess she should have figured as much, she thought. Destiny wanted to fly off the handle. She wanted to shove the condoms in his face and call him out for lying to her about his intentions and then demand he take her home. But she refrained.

She grabbed one of the white tees and put it on. Then she carefully put the condoms and the sock right where she found it and zipped up the bag. She casually made her way back to the living room and joined Edwin on the deck.

He smiled big when he saw her but the smile quickly faded when he saw the expression on her face.

“What's wrong?” He asked. Destiny wanted to be angry but she was also curious about what it would be like to be with a man.

“Nothing.” She said. “I’m ready.”

Edwin got into the hot tub.

“I thought you said we were going swimming.”

“We are. But first I want you to learn the basics and get accustomed to being in the water.” He reached his hand out to help her into the water.

“First, we are gonna do some warm ups so you can get used to holding your breath underwater.” The professor in him was coming out. Edwin taught her some breathing exercises and how to blow bubbles so you could stay underwater longer.

“Next we’re going to learn how to float.” Edwin instructed Destiny to lay flat on her back while he held her up. Slowly she felt him remove his hands and started to fill herself sink. She panicked and started flailing her arms and legs and stood up.

“It’s okay, relax. You’re going to sink a little bit. That’s normal. It’s your natural buoyancy. Just keep your arms and legs spread out like I showed you and you’ll stay afloat.” After a few more failed attempts, Destiny finally learned how to keep her body upright.

“Not bad for your first time. You ready to get in the pool now?” Destiny was having so much fun she nearly forgot about the condoms. Edwin took her into the pool and showed her how to dog paddle and wade in the water. Pretty soon he had her doing the breaststroke.

“You’re a really good teacher.” She said.

“Thanks. I appreciate that. I haven’t been doing it long so sometimes I wonder if I’m getting through to my students.”

“Well I would have been grateful for a teacher like you in high school. Maybe then I wouldn’t have dropped out my junior year.”

“Why’d you dropped out of school?”

“My high school was more like a daycare then anything else. The teachers didn’t educate you they disciplined you. So I dropped out. Took the test and got my GED.”

“That’s pretty impressive.” There was a long pause. Edwin was looking at her with those eyes again. He leaned in like he was about to kiss her but she moved away.

“Did you want me to show you some more techniques?”

“Maybe later.” She said.

“Okay, no problem. How’d you like to go for a walk along the beach then?” He suggested.

“Okay.”

“There’s a bunch of my mom’s clothes still in the drawer. Or if you want, we can go shopping…”

“It’s okay. I’ll just wear what I had on earlier she said.”

They went for a casual stroll along the beautifully cobbled beach. Destiny was quiet but on high alert. All she could think about where the condoms in his bag and when he planned to make his move so he could use them.

“You’re awfully quiet.” Edwin noted. They had been walking for ten minutes now and barely said two words to each other.

“Just enjoying the scenery.” She said.

Edwin stopped walking.

“Here let’s sit a minute.” He suggested. He laid out the blanket he had brought and sat down cross-legged. Destiny joined him. She closed her eyes and let the cool ocean breeze wash over her. She felt at peace here. Like everything was right in the world.

“Thank you for bringing me here.” she said.

“You’re welcome.” Edwin beamed that goofy grin at her. “Thank you for coming.”

“So how’d you end up with a place like this?”

“It belonged to my parents.” He said. This was it. This was the time to tell him about his father.

“What did you parents do for a living? You never told me.” She said casually. A look came over his face that Destiny wasn’t too familiar with. His smile disappeared and sadness reached his eyes.

“Research.” he said. Edwin had been forthcoming with all aspects of his life but at the mention of his parents he was close mouthed. She recognized the look on his face as one she had felt before. It was the same way she felt about her own past.

“I have to tell you something.” She said. “Whoever broke into my house last night left this symbol on my wall.” Destiny showed him a picture of the symbol on her cell phone.

“Is it...blood?” He asked.

“Yes. Do you know what that symbol is?”

“Yes.” He admitted. “It’s their insignia. The Truth Seekers.”

“What do you know about them?” Destiny said.

Edwin sighed heavily. A look came over his face of gloom and darkness. He stood up and began pacing around the kitchen.

“I know all about the Truth Seekers. They’re these crazy conspiracy theorists. It’s like a cult. The Seekers were shut down for the violent rituals they practiced. They used to sacrifice animals. Then it was rumored that they moved up to people but it was never definitively proven. The government shut them down and they haven’t been heard from ever since.”

“What rituals?”

“I don’t quite remember off the top of my head but it was pretty gruesome.”

“Your parents were involved in that?”

“Unfortunately.” He said. “What I don’t understand is. Why would the Truth Seekers break into your house. Does it have something to do with this book?”

“Yes.” It was time for Destiny to lay it all out on the table. “A few days ago, I was working in the Brookside Public Library and I saw someone wearing a green cloak. That’s when I found this hidden door. Behind the wall of the library in a strange door with a tree symbol on it identical to the tree symbol on the book. I was knocked out before I could investigate any further. When I came to, Ms. Waters, my boss, was there. She told me the world was ending and this book was the only way to stop it from happening. She told me I have the key. That my mother gave it to me when I was a baby. I think I know what the key is but I don’t know where it is. But I have to find it so I can get in this book and help Ms. Waters so she can help me find my mother.”

“Oh, not this again.” Edwin muttered.

“What?”

“My parents joined the Seekers shortly before I was born. That dang cult ruined their careers and destroyed their lives. They lost their jobs because they were so obsessed with this theory about the world ending. My mother killed herself and my father died of a heart attack when I was ten. That’s why my grandparents raised me.”

“Maybe all of it wasn’t a conspiracy.”

“You can’t let yourself be manipulated by these crazy people. They are certifiably insane. How do you even know that they know where your mother is?”

“I-”

“I think you should return that book to wherever the hell you got it. That book was written in the ancient language of Taiferian. It dates back to at least 22000 BCE. That means your boss is over 4,000 years old or you are in possession of a rare and precious artifact that belongs to the U.S. Government or some other governing entity. I should turn it into the authorities.”

“Are you threatening to turn me in?”

“No. But the fact that you stumbled onto it is insane. You’re not destined to save the world. Why would such an enormous task be entrusted to someone like you.”

“Someone like me? Oh i See. There is no way some pot-smoking hippie could be anything more than that?”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“From where I’m standing, you’re the one with all the dark secrets. That’s why you look sick everytime I mention your parents. And what about that basemen of yours. Who the hell has a secret passageway leading to their basement besides murderers and unabombers?” Edwin stared at Destiny as if she had just run away with his dog.

:How the hell do we always end up like this? One minute we’re having a good time. The next minute we’re trading insults and low blows?” He said.

“Maybe it’s because we shouldn’t be around each other.” She said. Edwin rubbed his head. “Maybe you should just take me home.”

Edwin was rubbing his head. He paused for a long time.

“No.” He said.

“What?”

“No. I’m not taking you home.” he repeated.

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to!” he said.

“Why?”

“I want you here with me!” He said. That hadn't been what she was expecting him to say.

“Well...fine!”

“Good!” She wasn't sure why they were still shouting. Destiny looked at Edwin and almost felt sorry for him. He was clearly trying his best to get closer to her. No matter how much she fought him on he seemed intent on getting what he wanted from her. Until today she hadn’t been 100 percent sure on what that was.

“Do you just want to fuck me?” She asked.

“Huh?”

“Is it some deep-rooted fantasy of yours to fuck a hippie chick or something?”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Don't’ even try to act as if you're offended I saw your condoms in the closet.” Edwin turned crimson.

“Yeah, That’s right. You pretend to be this standup guy with pure intentions who just wants to help but you’re just a horny nerd who wants pussy!”

“So what?” Destiny was taken aback by his lackadaisical response. She expected him to have some excuse or grand explanation to defend himself. Instead he just said, “yes, I find you attractive. You are unequivocally, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman in the world to me. I mean look at you. Sitting here in an oversized tank top, baggie pants, face pierced, one side of your head shaved, yet still absolutely stunning.” He stood up. “And yes, I would like to make love to you...you have no idea how much. But that doesn't mean that’s all I want from you. I like to be prepared okay? I brought those condoms on the off-chance we did have sex. I mean just last night you crawled into my bed for heaven’s sakes. I never thought that would happen either but it did. You confuse me, Zoedana. You intrigue me. You question me. You challenge me. But you’re a breath of fresh air. You push me to be a better version of myself. I can’t explain why I’m so drawn to you. It’s against all logic and reason, which is how I’ve always chosen to live my life. We are as opposite as they come. I don't know why God put you in my pathway. But what I do know is, there is something...extraordinary between us.” He knelt down in front of her and grabbed her hands. “I know you feel it to.”

Before Destiny could respond, his lips were on hers. They kissed each other passionately, fervently, breathing in each other’s souls. Destiny felt the rush of excitement return to her. Her heart was pounding, her stomach full of butterflies. Warmth was coursing through her entire body. She wanted him. She had never wanted anyone in her life the way she wanted him now. It was like she was back in the hot tub learning to float. Even though she had been terrified she’d fall in and drown, she had to trust him, trust herself, and listen to her body.

Edwin gently pushed her on her back with his body. Their arms and legs were intertwined, inextricably linked. He stopped kissing her and stared down into her eyes.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” He asked her. His breath was slightly labored.

Destiny thought about all she had been through. She had no experience with sex and no fond memories of nudity. Wayne and Kimberly had taught her nudity and sex were all sins that if she engaged in it she would burn in a fiery pit of hell. For that reason Destiny had never been with a man. She had never even let another man touch her.

She stared back up at Edwin, his beautiful green eyes so soft and warm, full of desire. In that moment she realized, she trusted him. Trusted him not to hurt her. Trusted him to take care of her heart and not let her down. Trusted him to teach her how to swim in the terrifying murky waters of adulthood. He was right. They did have an unmistakable connection that she couldn’t deny. As if he were already a part of her.

“Yes.” She replied. He resumed kissing her. They made passionate love right there on the beach.

When Destiny awoke, she was back in the house, laying in the huge fluffy bed. It was completely dark with only the light to illuminate the room. Edwin was asleep next to her, wearing nothing but a nasal strip on his nose. Destiny gazed down at his naked body, beautifully sculpted and crafted in every way. Suddenly it all came back to her - how they had made love twice on the beach, one in the hot tub, and once more in bed. The very thought brought a huge smile to her face.

Destiny got up.Her entire body ached, especially her thighs. She grabbed Edwin’s t-shirt and boxers from the ground and put it on. Destiny went to her bag. She grabbed a rubber band and put her locks up in a bun. She checked her phone. Wow it was 4am. She had three missed calls, two voicemails and seven new text messages.

She scrolled through her texts. Most were from Birdman looking to score a large amount of weed for a party.

The last message was from a number she didn’t recognize. There were no words, only a picture message. Destiny froze when she opened it up. It was her foster parents, Wayne and Kimberly, covered in blood from head to toe. On the wall behind them was another red symbol in blood.

Destiny checked her voice messages. They were from the police asking her to come in a make a statement about her parents. Destiny hung up the phone. She couldn’t stop staring at the picture. Who would do something like this?

Edwin entered the living room and flicked on the light switch. Destiny nearly jumped out of her skin. She quickly put her phone down. Edwin was wearing a blue bathrobe. He had that big goofy grin on his face. He came to where she was sitting and put his arms around her.

“Hey what are you doing in here in the dark? You okay?” He asked. He kissed her on the cheek. Destiny knew she had to tell him everything. He deserved to know.

“Come sit down.” She said.

Edwin obliged. Destiny pulled out the phone and showed him the picture of her foster parents. Edwin lost all the color in his face.

“What...who are they?”

“I don’t know.” She lied. She didn’t want him to blame himself if his dad was truly behind this.

Edwin was silent. He just stared at the picture horrified.

“There’s something else.” She added. “You told me both your parents are dead, right?”

“Yes. Died fifteen years ago. What is this about?”

“I saw your father.” She waited before continuing. “I saw him at the library the other day.”

“What are you talking about? That isn’t funny…”

“I’m not joking. He is working with my boss.

“You must be mistaken..”

“But I saw him! They are both a part of the Truth Seekers. ”

“I went to both of my parents’ funerals. I assure you my dad is dead.”

“Is his name David McConnell?”

“Yes.” Edwin looked sick.

“Then he’s alive.” She said. “Here. He gave this to me.” Destiny pulled out the pin with the white winged lion. “He wanted you to have it.”

Edwin sat down in his chair.

“What is it?”

“It’s a family heirloom. Probably only worth a penny but it’s priceless. Been passed down to every male in my family for generations. My dad gave it to me right before he died. I placed this at his grave sight.” Edwin was distraught. “I can’t believe it...Dad is...alive.”