Dark Beach by Lauren Ash Read Free Book Online Page A

there looking out the window. I talked to her, told her about our lives a bit. I just don’t know what to think about all this.”
    Ron backed the car out of Busy Bee Meadows and Jenny’s panic subsided a little. Ron was thinking of only one thing. “Chinese?” he asked.
    “I have blood on my blouse.”
    Ron didn’t even look. “How’d that happen?”
    “Your Nana punched me, right in the ... here.” Jenny placed both hands over her belly.
    “She what?”
    “I know, right.”
    Ron shook his head. He was driving, but he wasn’t particularly aware of the road. “Are you ok?”
    “I’m fine; luckily she’s weak. I think everything will be okay. I mean in there. I think it will be fine.”
    Ron accidentally crossed the yellow line and then swerved out of the path of an on-coming car.
    “Watch out, where are you going?” Jenny looked back to check on Kip, who was just sitting there, staring out of the window.
    Nervously, Ron shook his head. “Okay, okay. I just can’t get over it. When you left, the nurses tied my Nana to the bed. They tied her down so violently. I didn’t know they did stuff like that. I’ve only seen it in the movies—you know, when they put those insane people in padded cells and straitjackets. This is just a nursing home.”
    “You didn’t see what she was doing. It was completely, utterly mad.” Jenny covered her face. All she could see were sharp teeth coming on.
    “Stop it. Stop it. Go away,” she pleaded quietly. “I don’t want to see you … please.”
    “I can’t go away; I’m driving. What are you talking about?” Ron asked.
    “The teeth, I can’t get rid of them.” Leave me alone , she silently begged, but the mental image wouldn’t fade. In her mind’s eye, the whale turned, flipped its tail above the water and sucked her down, down into the dark with it.
    “Jenny!” Ron pulled over and stopped the car. He got out and hurried to his wife’s aid, unbuckling her seat belt and pulling her out onto the verge. Her eyes were shut, her breathing rapid. “Jenny! Wake up.”
    No reply.
    “Honey! Wake up! Wake up! I know you’re in there … Jenny.” He was at a loss for what to do.
    Choking for air, Jenny tried to swim away. The water was thick as mud and the massive whale hung suspended in it, facing her, smiling at her, it’s teeth so sharp and its eyes black and empty. She reached out to touch it, but it was just out of reach.
    Her eyes flew open.
    “Oh my God, honey. Honey? You’re okay, you’re okay,” Ron babbled, rocking her back and forth.
    “What?” Jenny looked up him. He was red-faced and sweating. A car passed, slowed, and then continued on.
    “You fainted or something. I don’t know what happened.”
    “How long was I out?”
    “Just a few minutes. What happened? Do you remember?”
    “No. I don’t remember a thing. Where are we? Why am I on the street?”
    “I pulled you out, to get air. Wait … I don’t know. I just had to get us out of the car. Are you okay? Should we go back? Do you want to eat?”
    “Eat what?” Jenny sat up, feeling slightly dizzy.
    “Chinese food,” said Ron. “We’re almost there.”
    “I don’t want to go in, not like this. Look at me.” Jenny looked down at the bloodstain on her shirt. Memories of the nursing home flooded back to her. “Your Nana … we saw her.” Jenny shook her head. “Can we just get takeout?”
    “Yes, we can. Do you want me to take you to a doctor?”
    “No. No way. That is the last place I want to be after what happened earlier. Anyway, I am a little hungry, and I’ve heard this place is the best joint in Rocky Shores.”
    Ron sighed, relieved to hear Jenny’s tone lighten. “Yes, I’ve heard that too.”
     
     

 
    THREE
     
     
    Morning brought sunshine and contentment, and Jenny threw open all the doors and windows. A cool ocean breeze greeted her.
    “Ah.” She took a seat on the old rocking chair in the living room.
    “Chinese food for breakfast?” Ron stood