Laughing Eyes: Bittersweet Familia (3) by Melissa Jane Read Free Book Online

weight of the world on these tiny shoulders of yours. Do what you do best and leave the worrying to Aiden and I.”
    Anna looked to the muddy tire tracks before throwing me a sweet smile. “Someone needs to worry while you’re gone.”
    “I tell you what, when I get back, you can take me back down to the beach and tell me all about how you were worried about me.”
    She threw her head back in laughter, a glimmer of joy shining from her beautiful eyes.
     
     

 
    Anna
     
    That night, I didn’t sleep. I was concerned for a man I had only known for a few days and worried about the futures of everyone unfortunate enough to be in the path of destruction. I could hear Luiza breathing heavily next me and I was grateful that she was getting some rest, but no matter how hard I tried, sleep just would not greet me. A chill had crept its way into the air and was filtering through my slightly ajar window.
    Sitting up in bed, I wrapped my woollen blanket around my shoulders. It had been a parting gift from my parents. When I had boarded that plane, they had no idea what I was flying into. None of us did.
    Creeping past Luiza, I slid my boots on at the door before easing it open, avoiding the creaks as best I could. The moon was still full, its faint silver glow caressing my surroundings. Suddenly everything seemed so at peace. All the lights in the cabins were off, everyone tucked in for the night after an exhausting and particularly rough day.
    Taking my usual track to the beach just didn’t feel right.
    For the last few nights I had walked it with Danny, his infectious banter enlivening my slowly dying spirit.
    But tonight was different.
    Tonight, as I walked through the dense trees, a chill traveled down my spine. One that wasn’t due to the cold. Suddenly, the space seemed to close in around me, every twig snap, the cooing of the owls and flitter of insects heightening my sense of unease. With a pounding heart, I stopped in my tracks to study my surroundings. A gentle breeze blew through the passage way, my loose hair tingling my skin, my senses on high alert. I was greeted by thick trees, heavy shrubbery and darkness. Yet it felt like everything around me had eyes, watching, haunting.
    Quickening my step, I ran the rest of the way until I entered out onto the rocks and was hit with a feeling of immediate relief. Perched high up staring out at the ominous ocean, I sucked in a deep breath of salty air, inwardly chiding myself for allowing paranoia to get the better of me. I was starting to grow more frightened in this place. A part of me didn’t believe it possible. Yet here I was, completely unable to sleep, terrified over the symbology of one stupid flower.
    A scent incongruous to my setting filled my nostrils, bringing me back to my ever-present danger. Spinning around, I squinted through the darkness for any evidence that I wasn’t alone. We were camped virtually in the middle of nowhere, yet someone had to be wearing that cologne.
    “Hello? Alec?” I called into the night.
    No response.
    “Is someone here?”
    I waited. Still nothing.
    Wrapping my blanket tighter around my shoulders, my body involuntarily shuddered. There was no other way back to camp. I had to pass through the dense trees, yet my mind was screaming at me not to.
    Watching for the slightest movement, honing my hearing to pick up any sound, I waited, willing my confidence to make a hasty return. I knew I couldn’t stay out here any longer. My visits to the beach would be limited to only when Danny could be with me. I no longer felt safe. I no longer felt like I was out of harm’s way. Perhaps my imagination was running wild, but I knew I would be playing the fool to be flippant.
    Bracing myself, I took off at a sprint back through the trees, tears of fear springing to my eyes. For a moment I thought I could hear footsteps behind me, crunching on the fallen leaves and debris. I couldn’t turn around, my body refusing to stop until I made it out of