All Chapters of From Shadows, Emerging Tides: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Melody awakens in her grandmother’s old room, glancing at the walls, some white shiplap, and some pastel blue. A new bed, queen size, white wicker frame bearing chic linens of white and light blue; she melts into the pillow top mattress. The faint roar of ocean waves brings fragile peace. The sound of Leo and Mia giggling in the kitchen reaches her ears, bringing joy to her stressed mind. Her bare feet hit the hardwood flooring. Melody approaches her children calmly, a hug and kiss to each on their forehead. “Good morning, babies.” Then her eyes dart around the windows and doors, making sure they are undisturbed. She bought a new phone, one that shouldn’t be traceable. At least for now. This was her grandmother’s vacation home; they visited year around, and for summer until she finished college. Melody runs her finger along a light oak piece of furniture which has been here since childhood. She pictures her grandmother and parents, flooding in happy memories being loved, hugged, and

Mia, finds courage to step away from her sudden fear and releases the loving grasp from her mother’s side. She glances around the shop, and focuses back on her mother. They look around the shop, wooden walls, and clothing racks make up most of the store, upbeat music is playing, and the air is a comfortable cool. Swimsuits, wetsuits, snorkel, surfing and boating accessories, catch Leo’s attention. “Mom, do we need wet suits to surf. I like this one.” Leo points a blue and green suit. “Ok, it’s possible, do you think the water is cold and the air outside is cold. You can two can pick out wetsuits.”Mia finds a full body, pink and purple suit, with matching flippers. “Mom, I’ll have this one and these can help me swim, if we aren’t doing a surfing lesson.” “Mia, what a great idea, and maybe we can go snorkeling as well. I’ll pick one out too. Leo get some flippers too, and a snorkel mask.” Melody mentions with hope for fun moments. “Awesome, thanks, Mom.” The kids gather a wetsui

Melody and her children lock up their bikes. The yellow cedar-shingled and slightly salt-weathered, library beholds a metal bike rack. Upon entering, the smell of old paper and sea air fill Melody’s nose. A quiet building, hushed chatter, book pages being turned, the scuffing of a wooden chair over tile, the particular quiet of a building that has been useful for a long time. Melody looks around, at the desk a familiar person sits, a grey bun, glasses, focusing on the computer. She looks up, a twinkle in her eye, she gasped, “I remember you, Melody, you came in with your sister Harmony and your grandmother Adalee. I haven’t seen you in ages. How have you been?” “Great, I’m here with my two children, we would like to get a library card and check out books.” The librarian nods her head, and hands Melody a clipboard for an application. “Melody, just fill out the form and we’ll get you a new library card.” Melody quickly fills out the form, writing her maiden name; Caldwell then hands

At the grocery store, Melody and her two kids review the list together. A fair sized local store, mixed scents of fruit, bread, disinfectants, and somewhat of a sterile air, travels in Melody’s nose. The flooring is a white tile spanning throughout the store. A draft sneaks up on Melody, causing goosebumps. She pushes the basket, “Ok let’s look at the isle signs, to see where everything is. And start with more jugs of water.” The isle with water is nearly bare, only a few jugs left. Melody quickly grabs them, as they move on down their list. “Mom, flashlights and batteries are next on our list.” Leo mentions with authority. “We will find, flashlights and batteries.” Melody glances around in a rushed manner as if the hurricane will appear while they’re at the store. Melody sees a man who looks similar to Blaze. She shudders, a wave of panic sweeps over her, her heart pounding in her chest, adrenaline pumping, she freezes, and nearly faints. Gripping the shopping cart, she begins

Melody appears on the deck to decorate for the fourth of July party. Seagulls call as they coast just above the shore. Birds chirp. A palm tree stands, leaves bent from the recent storm. The mango sun, kisses the sea, melting into the horizon, spilling golden-orange shimmers, illuminating the rolling waves. Crystal clear teal water spills towards the white sand. A warm breeze whips around Melody, wafting her chestnut strands, gently flapping her sleeveless ruffled white blouse and dark red linen skirt, enveloping her in an oceanic scent, freeing her spirit of any strife. Gage races up the painted ocean wave cement steps. Melody turns to face him, he rushes to her, wraps his arms around her waist, his hands rest on her navy blue linen belt. He lifts her up and spins her around, his face nuzzles hers, then he backs off before someone bursts out of the seaside cottage. Gage whistles for Jet, who is patiently waiting at the bottom of the steps. Melody kneels down, gracefully, to greet t