As I started to cross the street, someone called my name.
I spun around and saw Leslie Jordan standing in front of the coffee shop where she works.
Leslie is the girl I’ve been going out with this summer. She’s smart and good-looking, with dark brown hair and serious gray eyes.
“Hi,” Leslie said, crossing the street to greet me. “I’m on a break right now. Are you on your way to work?”
I nodded, glad to see her. “Another tough day at work. Working on my tan,” I joked.
“Lucky you.” She took my hand and we crossed over to the boardwalk. “Want to sit down for a minute?”
I checked my watch. I still had time. “Sure.” I sat down on one of the wooden benches that line the boardwalk and pulled Leslie down beside me.
“I wish we could sit here all day,” she said as I slid my arm around her shoulders. “Too bad we both have to work.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind being a beach bum,” I agreed. “Swim a little. Lie in the sun. Look for seashells. Swim some more. Eat. Then go to sleep.”
“Then get up and do the same thing all over again.” Leslie laughed. “Sounds great.”
“Come on—you’d get bored,” I replied. Leslie is definitely not the lazy type.
“Maybe,” she agreed. “But not for a few days, at least.”
I laughed, then checked the time. “Uh-oh. I’ve got to go. Sean is probably timing me down to the split second.”
Leslie sighed and stood up. “I’ll call you, okay?”
“Great.” I gave her a quick kiss, then turned toward the steps that led down to the beach.
The sun bounced off the white sand, blinding me so much that I stumbled. Squinting, I fished in my pocket for my sunglasses and started to put them on.
That’s when I saw her.
She stood in the sand, leaning against the step railing and gazing out toward the ocean. Her back was to me, so I couldn’t see her face. But I didn’t have to.
I would have known her anywhere.
That bright blond hair blowing across her back.
Those long, long legs.
The blue beaded bracelet on her left wrist. The same bracelet she wore that day last summer when we went out on the water scooter.
Mitzi.
She’s not dead! I saw. The whole thing has been a nightmare—the accident, the guilt, the dreams. It’s all been part of a nightmare, and I’m finally waking up. Mitzi’s not dead!
“Mitzi!” I cried, running down the steps. “You’re here! Mitzi!”
She pushed away from the railing and turned toward me. A gust of wind blew her hair across her face. She lifted her hand and brushed it away.
And I froze, staring in horror.
Empty eye sockets stared back at me.
Dark, empty holes in a gray-white skull.
A skull. A skeleton’s head, with strips of gray flesh dangling from the gleaming bone.
Shredded, rotting flesh.
“Nooo!” A hoarse cry escaped my throat. “Mitzi!”
Mitzi cocked her head. Her rotting lips, black and peeling, drew back, exposing jagged, broken teeth.
“Nooooooo!” I moaned again.
The jaw of her skull creaked open, and Mitzi stared at me with empty eyes, grinning a hideous grin.
PART TWO
* * *
Chapter 5
SEAN
I glanced down from the lifeguard chair and frowned. On the sand below, Alyce Serkin stuck a tube of sunscreen into her orange beach bag. Then she stood up and began to shake the sand from her beach towel.
Alyce is a major babe. She is hot! To tell the truth, she’s the only reason I keep this lifeguard job. So I can sit up high and stare at her all day.
She’s packing up to leave, I thought. I’d better hurry.
I scanned the ocean, checking for people in trouble. Nobody needed my help. So I swung myself out of the chair and began climbing down the ladder.
Alyce didn’t notice me. She stuffed the towel into her bag, then picked up a plastic bottle of water and took a drink.
I leapt off the ladder, landing quietly in the soft sand. Grinning to myself, I crept up behind Alyce and grabbed her around the waist.
She squealed—and the bottle of water went flying through the air.
I let out a laugh, squeezed her against me, and kissed the back of her neck. “Guess who?” I whispered.
“I don’t have to guess!” Alyce sputtered. She tried to pull away, but I held on tight and kissed her again. “Let go of me, Sean! You really are an animal.”
“You love it!” I insisted. I turned her around and kissed her on the mouth. “You know you love it.”
“I do not love it!” she snarled. She shoved me away and scowled at me.
I reached for her, but she hopped backward. “Oh, you want me to chase you?” I asked.
“Hardly.” She made a disgusted face. “Don’t you get it? I don’t like being grabbed like that.”
“Like what?” I asked, grinning. “You want me to grab you some other way? Show me how, babe!”
“Give me a break.” She rolled her eyes and picked up a floppy straw hat. “I’m leaving,” she announced, pulling the hat over her curly red hair. “The sun is getting to me. And so are you.”
I dropped to my knees in the sand and clasped my hands together. “Please, please, don’t leave!” I begged, putting a woeful expression on my face. “I’ll be good. I promise!”
Alyce rolled her eyes again. “You’re hopeless.”
“Exactly!” I cried. “Without you, babe, I’m totally hopeless!”
I jumped to my feet and held out my arms, but Alyce just shook her head. “I really have to go, Sean.”
“Okay, okay, I give up. For now,” I added. I picked up the empty water bottle and tossed it in the wire barrel next to the lifeguard station. “So,” I said as Alyce zipped her beach bag. “Are we going out tonight?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t.” She slung the bag over her shoulder. “I’ve got something else I have to do.”
“Yeah? What?” I asked.
Alyce’s face turned pink, and it wasn’t from the sun. “I’m just busy, that’s all,” she muttered.
Something started to sizzle inside me. I really hate being lied to. And Alyce was definitely lying. “Busy doing what?” I demanded.
“Is it any of your business?” she snapped.
That sizzling feeling grew stronger. As she turned and started to walk away, I grabbed her arm and spun her around so fast, her hat fell off. “I’d better not see you out with another guy,” I warned.
“Hey!” Glaring, Alyce tried to yank her arm away, but I held on. “You don’t own me, Sean,” she declared. “Stop being such a creep.”
“I’m warning you. I see you out with another guy, I’ll kill him,” I promised, giving her arm a shake. “I really will.”
Alyce peeled my fingers off her arm. “At least you’re not too possessive or anything,” she said sarcastically. “If I thought you were serious . . .”
“Try me,” I warned. “Just try me.”
Get a grip, I told myself. I didn’t want to scare Alyce. I wanted to scare away any guy who might think of going out with her.
I snatched up her hat and stuck it on my head. “How do I look?” I asked, turning sideways and striking a Mister Muscle pose.
“Ridiculous.” She reached for the hat.
I jumped away and struck another pose. “Got a camera?” I asked. “You can get a shot for your scrapbook.”
“Sure, like I’d really want one.” Alyce reached for the hat again and missed. “Come on, Sean. Give it to me.”
“Say please!” Laughing, I ducked away. Then I took the hat off and sailed it to her like a Frisbee. As I did, I caught a glimpse of my watch. Five minutes after one. “Hey, where’s Adam?” I asked, glancing around.
Alyce shrugged. “How should I know?”
“I’m supposed to be on a break,” I told her. “That guy is
always late.”
“You mean you’re not on your break?” she asked, jamming the hat back on her head. “I don’t believe it! Some lifeguard you are—you’re not even watching the swimmers!”
I grinned. “That’s because I can’t take my eyes off you, Alyce!”
“Honestly, Sean! You really are a pig!” She hitched her duffel bag onto her shoulder and started to march away.
I watched her for a moment. What a great walk!
Then I ran up behind her and grabbed her around the waist. “Gotcha again!” I cackled.
Alyce yelped in surprise. Then she began to struggle. “Let go of me!” she cried. “Sean, this isn’t funny!”
She’s not really angry, I told myself. She’s crazy about me, right? Right.
As I bent to kiss her, a piece of straw from her hat stabbed me in the eye. I hollered, stumbled backward, and bumped into somebody.
“Hey, why don’t you watch where you’re going?” I snapped. Rubbing my eye, I whirled around and found myself staring at Adam Malfitano.
“What’s going on?” Adam asked, gazing at my watery eye.
“Sean was being his usual gross self, and he got attacked by my hat,” Alyce declared angrily. “Serves him right.”
Adam ran a hand through his brown hair and flashed Alyce a big, goofy smile. I didn’t like the look on his face.
The admiring look.
“You’re late,” I told him. “Where have you been?”
He dragged his eyes away from Alyce. “Sorry,” he told me. “I had to see my doctor.”
“What’s wrong?” Alyce asked, sounding concerned.
Now he’s trying for her sympathy, I thought in disgust. Still rubbing my eye, I turned away.
As I stared out across the breaking waves, my heart suddenly began to pound. I sucked in my breath and grabbed Adam’s arm.
“Nooo!” I moaned. I pointed to the water. “Shark! Shark got that girl!”
Chapter 6
“Where?” Adam cried in a frantic voice, his head swiveling back and forth. “Sean—where?”
“Out there!” I shouted. “Can’t you see all the blood in the water?”
Adam froze. He didn’t even bother to look where I was pointing. Instead, he stared at me, and his brown eyes got real wide.
“I’ll get . . . I’ll get the . . .” Adam’s voice shook. “I’ll get the . . . life preserver.”
But he didn’t move. His lips were almost as white as his face.
Talk about freaked! I thought. The guy’s about to pass out!
Actually, it would have been fun to see if he’d really keel over in a dead faint. But then I’d be stuck taking care of the poor guy.
“Hey, man, get a grip!” I told him. “I was just goofing!”
He blinked and licked his lips again. “You were what?”
“Goofing,” I repeated. Laughing, I dragged him around so he faced the ocean. “See? No sharks out there. Nobody getting chomped to pieces. It was a joke, get it? A dumb joke.”
“Dumb is right!” Alyce declared. “Honestly, Sean! What did you do, leave your brain at home today?”
I shrugged. “Hey, I can’t help it. I’ve got a crazy sense of humor.”
Alyce rolled her eyes, then turned sympathetically to Adam. “Are you okay? You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine.” Adam smiled at her. “Embarrassed though. I guess I kind of overreacted.”
“Well, no wonder! I mean, after what happened last summer!” she exclaimed.
“Oh, good, Alyce,” I told her. “Remind him of it all over again.”
“You’re the one who reminded him,” she shot back. “Talking about blood in the water.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” Adam insisted. “Really.”
“Well, anyway, don’t pay any attention to Sean,” Alyce told him, smiling again. “He’s the only one here who thinks he’s funny.”
“It’s true,” I agreed sadly. “My comic genius is totally misunderstood.”
Alyce groaned. “Like I said, Adam, don’t pay any attention to him.” With another scowl at me, she began to stride away.
“Don’t forget!” I called after her. “Eight tonight!”
Alyce whirled around. “What about it?”
“You and me, babe,” I reminded her. “I’ll be coming by your cottage, so leave the porch light on.”
“Okay,” she agreed. “But I won’t be there. I can’t see you tonight, remember?”
Before I could answer, Alyce gave Adam a wink and a little wave. Then she turned and walked across the sand toward the boardwalk.
I faked a laugh. “She doesn’t mean it, you know,” I told Adam. “She’ll be home waiting for me tonight. You can count on it.”
“Sure.” Adam didn’t look at me. He kept his eyes on Alyce as she picked her way through all the sunbathers and sand buckets.
And he was smiling.
“What’s so funny?” I demanded.
“Huh? Nothing.” He glanced up at the lifeguard station. It’s a tall wooden platform with a railing around it and two lifeguard chairs on top. “Whoa!” he said. “We’d better get up there fast. We’re on duty.”
Slinging his beach bag over his shoulder, Adam sprinted up the steps to the wooden platform. As I followed, that sizzling feeling started up again in the pit of my stomach.
Ignore it, I told myself. Don’t let it get to you. Alyce will be there tonight.
Won’t she?
Before I sat down in the lifeguard chair, I glanced toward the boardwalk. In the distance, I spotted Alyce’s floppy straw hat growing smaller and smaller as she walked away.
“I know she’s awesome-looking, but you’d better take your eyes off her—for a while anyway,” Adam scolded, following my gaze. “We’ve got swimmers to watch.”
“Yeah.” I put on a T-shirt and my sunglasses, then sat down. “I just wish I could keep an eye on her all the time,” I admitted.
He chuckled. “I don’t think Alyce would like that too much.”
“I guess not.” I gazed out at the ocean and sighed. “I can’t help it though. I get jealous sometimes.”
“So? Everybody gets a little jealous once in a while,” Adam said, smearing sunscreen on his nose. “It’s normal, right?”
“I’m not talking about a ‘little,’ ” I declared. “I’m talking big-time jealous. You want an example?”
He shrugged. “Sure.”
“There was this girl I went with back in high school,” I told him. “Cindy. Funny, sexy, a great dancer. Crazy about me,” I added. “At least I thought she was. I actually thought we’d be together forever.”
My heart started pounding, and I realized my hands were clenched into fists. I guess it doesn’t matter how much time goes by. Whenever I think about her, I start to burn.
“So what happened?” Adam asked.
I took a deep breath. “She sneaked out on me with another guy,” I replied. “We were supposed to go to the movies, but at the last minute she said she had something else to do.”
Just like Alyce, I thought.
“I knew she was lying,” I went on. “You can always tell, right?”
Adam shook his head.
“Well, I can,” I told him. “Anyway, I followed her, just to make sure.”
“You’re kidding. You really followed her?”
“Sure I did,” I declared. “I had to find out what was going on, didn’t I?”
“I guess,” Adam said doubtfully.
“Anyway, I saw her meet up with this guy from school,” I went on. “She gave him a big kiss, then hopped into his car. They spent three hours at the amusement park, going on rides, holding hands. Kissing.”
“Wait a sec.” Adam stared at me, his eyes questioning me. “You mean you followed them there? You stayed there the whole time?”
“Yeah. I was burning up,” I told him. “Ready to explode. You know what I mean?”
“Maybe. I mean, I get angry sometimes,” he said.
&nbs
p; “Not angry, Adam.” I clenched my fists even tighter. “Furious, wild—”
“Okay, I get the picture,” he interrupted.
“Yeah? Well, let me finish,” I insisted. “See, you probably think I was angry at Cindy. And I was. But the one I wanted to get was the guy. Jay. So I did. I started out slow at first.”
Adam stood up and leaned against the platform railing. “Look, I don’t think I want to hear this.”
“But I want to tell you.” I climbed up too, and stood next to him. “Hey, we’re stuck on this platform together for three more hours. As long as nobody starts to drown or something, you might as well listen.”
I nudged him in the arm. “Who knows? You might learn something.”
Adam stayed quiet, staring out at the swimmers.
“Like I said, I started out slow,” I continued. “I put a note in Jay’s locker, letting him know I’d seen him with Cindy. Then I cornered him in the locker room and told him he’d be sorry.
“Later I bumped into him in the hall. Said I was after him. Warned him to be ready.”
“That’s starting out slow?” Adam asked sarcastically.
I shrugged. “For me it was. Remember, I felt like I had a time bomb inside me. Tick, tick, tick.”
I gripped the railing hard, and my knuckles turned white. “Okay. Ready for the end of the story?”
Adam kept staring out at the water. He’s probably wishing something would happen out there, I thought. Something to stop me from talking.
I didn’t blame him. I wasn’t exactly crazy about the story myself. But I had to tell it to him.
I had to!
“Well, Jay didn’t believe I was out to get him,” I went on. “I mean, all I did was shoot my mouth off. And after a while he figured I wasn’t serious. Naturally, he figured wrong.”
“Get to the point.” Adam sighed impatiently. “What happened?”
“One day I took him out to the woods. And I beat him up. He wasn’t ready, see? He didn’t think I was serious. But I was!” I declared loudly. “And the more he screamed, the harder I beat him! I beat him so bad, he almost died!”
The blood pounded in my head, and my breath came faster and faster.