Page 7 of Monster

Mom: Quick getaway there. Sure you’re all right?

My fingers typed as quickly as they could move.

Me: I still have to pack for my flight. You know how I am with procrastination.

Mom: So, this has nothing to do with you ducking out on a potential date?

Me: Says the woman who ducks vacation time whenever she can for literally any reason.

I felt my anger spewing over into my messages, so I took a deep breath and waited for her to respond.

Mom: Fair enough. But, promise me you’ll turn off all of your electronics. You need this vacation.

I snickered. “Yeah. So do you, hypocrite.”

Me: Turning off my phone now. I’m not even taking my laptop. I’ll text you when I land tomorrow.

Mom: Good. I hope you have the best time. Love you, sweetie.

Me: Love you, too.

Mom: And don’t forget to take that flashlight. It’s got that taser built-in, and I want you to be safe while you’re gone.

Me: I’ll pack it. I promise. Turning off my phone now.

Mom: Have a safe flight!

I turned my phone off and slipped it back into my purse before my eyes focused out on the water once more. My feet sank deeper into the sand with every soft wave that caressed my ankles, and it felt divine. This water was the only way I endured the sweltering summer heat of the city. And I couldn’t wait to dip my naked body on the nude beaches of the Aeolian Islands.

Well, I wasn’t sure if they had nude beaches. But, if they didn’t, there was always skinny-dipping.

“You have to finish packing,” I murmured to myself.

The beautiful ocean held me hostage, though. And I was helpless to its romantic assault.

“You should also get some sleep,” I whispered to myself.

My veins were flushed with excitement, though. And I knew I wouldn't sleep a wink tonight. So, I allowed myself a few more minutes with the wonderful view in front of me before I turned back towards the road. Ready to walk back to land and flag myself a cab.

Before I heard snickering and chuckling off to my left.

I panned my head towards the sounds and saw a group of people standing beneath the pier of a restaurant, and the sight made me smile. I remembered back to my teenage years growing up in the city, when my friends and I thought we were cool as hell hanging out underneath the piers after sunset. It made me smile as they all continued to chuckle and swat at one another. Pushing each other around like kids always did.

Until they stepped into the moonlight.

Those are fully grown men.

I tried not to panic too much, especially since I already had plans to leave. So, I turned back toward the parking lot and started walking. The rational part of me knew that they were just guys being guys. But, the cautious part of me knew how dangerous it was to be out on the beach alone with a bunch of guys I didn’t know who were also less than five hundred feet away from me. Alarm bells sounded in my head as I heard the crunching of sand approaching me. I gathered my dress in my hands and gripped my heels tightly, ready to use them as a weapon if those men came anywhere near me. I peered over my shoulder and saw one of them staring straight at me. His body angled in the direction of my own.

Run, Charlotte. Run!

So, I took off.

I heard the men filtering around me, even as I reached the walkway. The hot wood and scalding hot tops of the metal nails holding the slats of wood together burned the bottoms of my feet as I tried to get back into the parking lot. I waved my hand in the air, hoping and praying a cab might see me.

Then, I heard footsteps falling closely behind me.

“Somebody! Help! I need help!”

---