Dark Currents : A Ningaloo Magic Novel

Chapter 2 - Hide

The ticking of the clock was loud in the small jewellery shop perched along the beach front of the resort town of Exmouth, population 2200, though that exploded to around 6000 during tourist season.

Now, however it was off peak, and a hot humid Summers day in mid January.

River clucked her tongue as she bathed in the air blowing from the air conditioner.

Bath because, while mildly cooler ,it was not much different to the sticky heat outside.

Leaning forward to rest her head on her work desk, she sighed.

The jewellery shop was the perfect cover, and in the eight months since she had fled Perth in the dead of night, she had yet to hear from her family.

Small blessings... she thought grimly, it was only a matter of time.

But for now she used her talent as a jeweller to create and sell one of a kind pieces to tourists in the now sleepy town.

When she had arrived here in peak season and been hired, her stuff had flown off the shelves faster than she could make it, even now it was popular amongst the locals.

Sitting up she rolled her neck and shoulders stretching the kinks as she observed the clock above her.

It was after 6, the sun would not be as fierce, even if the heat had not abated.

Time for a swim... she decided as she began to pack up and close the shop.

Iris, the owner, had hired her on the spot, her elderly husband had recently suffered a heart attack and they needed to get away from the business and take care of themselves.

She had taken one look at Rivers resume, and her work and then offered not only a job, but accomodation which had been attached to the shop itself which in turn was attached to the only resort which actually faced onto a beach in Exmouth.

It had been an offer River could not refuse.

Her only request had been that she be paid in cash, not wanting her family to trace her through the funds being deposited into her account.

Quickly changing into her bikini, River grimaced, Jason had been interrogated relentlessly by her family, but true to his word he had denied any knowledge of her where abouts.

They spoke every second night, for no more than five or ten minutes at a time, fearful of being caught and having a manhunt on their hands.

It was only a matter of time though, she could not escape them forever.

No one, voluntarily, left the Bell family.

Especially not the prodigy, youngest daughter, River.

Which was why she had changed her name. Now she went by Allie Smith, which had taken some getting used to.

Smiling now, she hooked her towel and some sunscreen before walking out onto the deck facing out onto the beach of snowy white sand which stretched almost out of sight in either direction.

Smoothing sunscreen over her tanned skin she observed the peaceful beach, the water with its hidden currents, the sands with its fading footprints as the tide came in.

She was glad she had escaped to here, even if it was only a matter of time.

Her hand passed over the thin silvery scar on her thigh, and she shuddered, that and the one across her left upper arm were the only ones visible to herself, it was the ones on her back that always sparked a reaction, which was why she only ever swam when the beach was all but empty.