Love Bites

After walking about a mile, I see a gas station. Placing my suitcase on its side, I sit beside the ice cooler. Today is gloomy and cloudy. I'm sure it's going to rain soon. Once I rest, I enter the gas station and purchase water and snacks. Aaron's cruel words replay in my head, causing me to keep having to hold back tears.

My childhood was far from ideal. Both my parents were drug addicts. Once my mother overdosed, my dad got sober, but he needed to get his life in order. Unfortunately, I wasn't part of that plan and was turned over to the state.

All my next of kin were contacted before the state claimed me as their own. No one wanted me, but at the last hour, my Aunt Irene adopted me. Initially, she was caring and attentive, but after her daughter's father left her and she found a new man, I became a burden.

Aunt Irene is an engineer, so we lived a good life. I went to great schools, and she even gave me a car. Although she cared for me, I knew I was merely a niece. Her daughter, Drusilla, was treated like a princess while I received whatever was left.

I was in the way once Aunt Irene's boyfriend proposed, and they purchased a new home for Drusilla and his two sons. It seemed my aunt and I argued every day. In my senior year of high school, I moved in with my boyfriend and his mom.

To appease her guilty conscience, Aunt Irene would give me money, but after a while, I stopped accepting it and lived independently until I met Aaron. He became my knight in shining armor.

A car speeds by, bringing me out of my thoughts. It's then I remember I have finals next week. I emailed my professors asking for an extension. Once I'm done, I stand, still clueless about my next move. Reentering the gas station's store, I ask the clerk, "Hi, are you familiar with any of the families here?"

Smiling, she answers, "Yes. Who are you looking for?"

"Uh, a guy named Jude. Sorry, I don't know his last name."

"Jude Knight?"

"Tall, light brown eyes, kind of built?" I answer.

"Definitely, Jude Knight. He lives on Sangre Lake. It's the only home there, so just GPS his street."

"Thanks so much."

"No problem."

Now exiting, once I turn to close the door, I see her watching as she talks on her cell phone.

GPS says it's fifteen miles away, so I opened my Lyft app, but there are no drivers or cabs on this island. There are no hotels either, but even if there were, I have $176 in my account and a credit card at its max.

Stumped, I sit on my suitcase again to brainstorm when I'm startled by a tap on my shoulder. It's the clerk. Hand extended, she greets, "I'm Zelma. It's my lunch break. I can run you to Sangre Lake if you like."

A little leery of her kindness, I accepted and got into her car. Now driving, Zelma asks, "How do you know Jude?"

"Uh, we met at a party."

"The one at the Mason's house last night?"

Hearing Aaron's last name upsets me, but I keep my composure and answer, "Yes."

"I'm shocked Jude was there. He hates those kinds of crowds."

"What kind is that?"

"Loud, drunk, entitled. I mean, he's pretty rich himself. The Knights own this island. He just hates most of the families that purchased land here."

"Interesting," I mumble.

Zelma parks at the end of a dirt road shrouded beneath a thick forest. Eyes fixed toward the opening, she says, "Well, Ajay, this is as far as I can go. The Knights aren't very welcoming. Since you know Jude, you may enter, but us outsiders know not to trespass."

Hesitant, I exit her car and say, "Thanks. I'll see you around."

"I hope so."

I take a few steps and then glance back at Zelma. Once again, she's watching while talking on the phone. Giving a wave, she drives off.

God help me. I prayed inwardly, then continued walking. Soon, a mansion on a hill appears in the distance. It's a charcoal gray brick with a black roof. It's stunning. The jet-blue water behind it gives a lovely yet ominous feel.

Now, only a block from its porch, I see a man leaning against one of its pillars, a guy sitting on the porch, and a man leaning against the wall by the front door. All eyes are on me as I stand by the steps. Jude is standing by the door. Eyes squinting, he asks, "Why are you here?"

Clearing my throat, I answer, "Hello everyone. Hi Jude, may we speak in private?"

The other two guys are staring his way, so he nods, and they enter the house. Watching until they are gone, Jude then focuses on me. Through a trembling voice, I say, "Aaron is Delilah's nephew. Because of last night, I have nowhere to go. I'd stay at a hotel, but this island has none. Aaron's cousin caused us to miss our ferry home, now I'm stranded here for at least two weeks."

"Okay, what do you want me to do?"

Before I answer, a woman exits the house and kisses Jude. Slightly annoyed, Jude kisses her back, and then she asks, "Who is this?"

Jude merely points my way, so I stutter, "Uh, I-I'm Ajay."

"Hi, Ajay. Why are you here?"

Suddenly, one of the guys returns, answering, "I met Ajay last night at that stupid party. Hey Ajay. Let's go for a walk."

Eyes bucked, I stare at Jude as the guy locks our arms and escorts us toward the beach. Jude then calls out, "Micah!"

The guy stops abruptly, asking, "What's up?"

Jude looks at the woman, whose face is all twisted up by now, then back at Micah, answering, "Whatever you have to say needs to be said in front of us."

Shoulders shrugged, Micah says, "I'm trying to help you, Jude."

"I don't need your help."

With palms lifted and a smug smirk, Micah walks away. The woman's arms are now folded while she glares our way. Rolling his eyes, Jude motions for me to keep going, and then we head to the beach.

"Who's she?" I ask.

"None of your business. Why are you here?"

"I need a place to stay."

"Well, you can't stay with me."

Neck throbbing, I caress it, saying, "Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were a cheater like Aaron, but since you thought it your duty to expose him, I thought I'd get a little sympathy from you, but I guess I was wrong."

"You've guessed correctly. And I told you already, I wasn't spying on your boyfriend."

Lifting my face to the sky, ensuring a tear won't fall, I say, "Whatever," then turn to leave.

Before I take a step, my neck starts tinging and hurting. I grab it again, then Jude pulls my hand away, lifts his phone, and takes a picture. Snatching away, I ask, "Is every man on this island nuts?"

Suddenly, he lifts the photo he's taken to my face, and there's a large bruised wound on my neck. Out of fear, I yell, "What the hell is that?"