Lakewood✔️

New arrivals

"Malia," I said, shaking it.

"See ya around, Malia," Abby said, walking away.

"See, you already made your first friend," Dad said enthusiastically.

I gave Dad a look. Yeah, first friend. If you're looking for that hidden psycho in a small town, I just met the person.  My parents had no clue about teens.

We ate, then headed home.  We weren't that far from town, so tomorrow I was going exploring.  It was something I did when we went to someplace new. Dad referred to me as Dora the Explorer growing up. Odd since I wasn't even Mexican but white. Dad needs to brush up on his PC skills.

I went to bed and laid there. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but think someone was outside watching me.  I had to remember we were no longer in Detroit but in a small town called Lakewood.  Nothing ever happens in the small cities.

                                    *****
I got changed and came downstairs. I grabbed a piece of toast and ate it.

"What are your plans?" Mom asked.

"I thought I would check out the town before school starts," I said in between bites.

"Well, be careful," Mom said to me.

I sighed, "I will mom."

"Got your phone?" Dad asked.

"Yep."

"Pepper spray?"

"Yep."

"Taser?"

"Gabe!" Mom yelled.

"What? I want to make sure she's prepared," Dad said defensively.

"Then how about a gun?" I asked casually. They both looked at me. "Kidding.  Geez."

I gave them both a kiss before leaving.

I walked out of the house and walked to town. It took about twenty minutes. It helps when you have to walk fast in Detroit.  I walked down the sidewalk, looking at the different stores they had - typical small town.

They had a Main Street with stores and places to eat, and that was it. There were boats around since we were nestled right off Lake Michigan. 

As I walked, I wasn't watching where I was going and ran right into someone.

"Ohh, sorry."

They looked at me kind of weird.

"Maybe you should watch where you're going," the person spoke in a low husky voice.

I stepped back and looked at the guy. He was six foot, brown hair, and eyes.  Then another guy yelled, "Luka, come on!"

I looked as the boy turned to see a guy with shaggy blonde hair waving to him.  He abruptly left, yelling, "Niko! Why must you always interrupt me?"

"Doing what? Getting shot down again," Niko laughed.

Okay, so since we got here, I have met some very odd people.  Where did Dad move us to now?  I walked until I came across a boardwalk. I strolled along with it until I came upon a guy leaning on the railing, smoking a cigarette.

I stopped a decent distance and leaned on the railing, looking down in the water.

"Are you new?" A deep voice asked.

"Huh?"  I looked at the guy, and he looked at me.

"I asked if you were new?"

I looked around at my surroundings. The guy rolled his eyes, "I'll take that as a yes."

"Who says I'm new?"

"Well, considering the tourist season is over, I would say yes."

"Okay, yes. My family and I just moved here," I said, trying to make small talk.

"Yeah, don't care," the guy said, taking another toke on his cigarette.

"Are you always this dickish?"

His head snapped in my direction at my question.

"Listen, small-town boy; the bad boy act doesn't work on me. Be a dick; don't be a dick. Don't care. Just stay away from me," I snapped.

I turned around to leave, and the guy asked, "Where you from?"

I stopped and sighed, then walked back towards the guy. "Detroit."

"Okay, Detroit, I'll see ya around," the guy said, flicking his cigarette into the water and walking past me.  This town has some fascinating characters so far.

I decided to walk home, and on my way home, a sheriff car pulled up with their lights and blocking my path.  I stopped, and two officers got out of their vehicle - one burly guy and another guy that looked weaselly.

"Excuse me, but we couldn't help but noticed you are walking along here," the burly guy said.

"Just on my way home."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"Because, well, missy, it seems you are coming from someone place else.  If you catch my drift."

I gave the burly guy a look; then it hit me.

"You think I'm a streetwalker?"

"Well, you sure ain't a local girl," the other guy said.

"Only because I moved here yesterday!"

"Well, there's no reason for that kind of language. We're going to have to take you in," the burly said.

"Language?  I didn't even cuss."

"Now come along," the burly said, trying to usher me to the car when my dad pulled up.

"Malia!  Get in the car!"

"Gladly."  I walked over to the car and got in. Dad put the car in park and got out.

"Mister, this ain't none of your concern," the sheriff said.

"What are you charging my daughter with, Sheriff?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because it's broad daylight and you're hassling my child. What are the charges?"

"They think I'm a streetwalker," I yelled from the truck.

Dad looked at me then back at the sheriff and the deputy, "I heard about you two. You charge innocent people for bogus charges. Guess that will have to change."

"Who are you?" The sheriff questioned.

"Lieutenant Gabriel Weston, Michigan State Police, homicide division. That means I have the authority to nail your sorry asses to the wall. Stay away from my daughter, or I will shoot your dick off. Got me?"

The sheriff and deputy looked at Dad as he got back into the truck and took off.

"Who are they, Dad?"

"Trouble. Malia, I want you to keep your distance from the local police. Understand?"

"Yeah."

My dad was not one to mess with on matters like these. He hated it when other cops abused their power. He always said police should protect and serve not use their authority to terrorize innocent people.

I had a feeling this wouldn't be the last I saw or heard from those two. It looks like dad just made an enemy with the local sheriff.