Written by Cynthia L Sperko
Editor’s Note: This is the second chapter in this work of fiction. Future chapters will be published in upcoming editions of The Marietta Traveler. Previous chapters are available at MariettaTraveler.com. The story contains some themes that parents might not want young children to read (murder, etc.), so reader discretion is advised.
Friday Morning
Sara and Carly were sitting at a table at Molly’s Courtyard Cafe studying the photocopy of Shell Island.
“This place could be anywhere. I’m guessing it’s in a wooded area” Sara said.
“Why was it called Shell Island if it wasn’t even on one?” Carly asked.
“That’s the million dollar question,” Sara answered as an older man approached their table.
“I don’t want to eavesdrop, but I thought I heard you say Shell Island” the gentleman said.
“Did it exist?” Sara asked.
“Yes, it did. My grandfather told me stories. He spoke of the place often. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed it. And you’re right in guessing that it wasn’t an actual island. It was a fort shaped like a shell. My grandfather used to have a replica of it” the gentleman said.
“Can you tell us where it was?” Sara asked.
***
Friday afternoon
Both teens walked around the area where Shell Island once stood. Thick brush and trees now filled the place.
“Well, my dad warned us about this. I’m at a loss as to what to do next” Sara said as she sat down on a tree trunk.
To her amazement, the tree trunk moved. Getting off quickly, Sara felt around the tree trunk to figure out why it did that.
“There seems to be something inside” Sara said as she pulled out a plastic bag that contained a vintage piece of paper. “Let’s look at it at my place. Quinn’s party will be starting soon and she’s the last person I want to see” Sara said.
“Let’s go” Carly replied.
***
Late Friday afternoon
Jackson was sitting on the porch when Sara and Carly returned. Prior to that, Quinn and he visited Ms. Harris’s gravesite. Her unexpected death saddened him more than he thought it would. He wouldn’t mention that to Sara though.
“Hey Sara…Carly…can I talk to you for a moment?” Jackson asked, standing up.
“Of course” Sara replied.
“I know I haven’t been around much since I started working. And I know how things look. I got to know Quinn better these last few months. She’s changed for the better” Jackson said.
“I…we don’t trust her. I thought we were friends” Sara replied.
“We are…the three of us…are…it’s complicated…” Jackson said.
“Whatever… don’t you have a party to go to? We have things to do. Let’s go Carly” Sara replied as she opened the front door.
Jackson watched as the ladies went inside. Then, he left.
Not knowing what was going on with Jackson and feeling bad about how they left things, Carly made an excuse to leave.
***
Friday evening
“You can’t have a party at the river without a boat ride. Quinn, Jackson, c’mon” Quinn’s uncle said.
“Maybe another time. I should go” Jackson replied.
“But you just got here” Quinn stated as she saw a classmate nearby. “Whatever…do what you want.. c’mon Kevin…let’s go…” Quinn said as both of them boarded the boat.
Jackson also climbed aboard, but for other reasons- To keep an eye on Quinn’s uncle.
Carly stood at the shoreline, worried that something bad was going to happen.
***
Sara waited for her dad to come home before showing him the paper. There was something odd about it. Now, he was looking at it in an intriguing way.
“Sara, where in the world did you find this?” Sara’s dad asked.
“Believe it or not, where Shell Island once stood. Apparently, it was a fort shaped like a shell that burnt down” Sara replied.
“Sara, this piece of paper is the reason I’ve been spending more time at work. I need to know the exact place where it was found” Sara’s dad said.
“The treasure” Sara thought.
***
Friday night after the boating accident
It didn’t take long for emergency crews to converge onto the scene. Both Sara and her dad heard the news on the police scanner. Carly’s text to Sara confirmed her worst fears.
Jackson was missing.
***
Late Friday night
Kevin was being questioned by police with his mom. Sara’s dad observed the meeting from the two-way mirror.
“Kevin, start from the beginning…tell us what happened on the boat” the police officer said.
“Quinn’s uncle took us on a boat ride. When the boat stopped, I asked Jackson if I could see his watch. It’s the latest from Apple. I was just messing with him and I didn’t want to give it back. I know it was stupid. He lunged into me and I pushed him back…not knowing that he would lose his balance and go in the water. We waited for him to surface, but he didn’t. Quinn’s uncle dove in to try to find him, but it was too dark and he came back on the boat. I thought for a moment we lost him, too…he dispatched 911…I didn’t mean for any of this to happen…I really didn’t…” Kevin replied.
“Kevin, what did you do with the watch?” The police officer asked. “I left on the boat,” Kevin answered.
“It’s okay son. You may go” the police officer said.Sara’s dad watched Kevin and his mom walk by. Then he went inside the room.
“Quinn was questioned and collaborated the same story. The only thing she added was that Jackson had a bout of motion sickness” Sara’s dad replied.
“Is there any news on Jackson?” The police officer asked.
“No” Sara’s dad replied. “The boat was thoroughly gone over with a fine-tooth comb. No watch was found.”
“Then someone took it, or it’s in the bottom of the river. What about Jackson’s phone?” The police officer asked.
“My daughter put it in a bowl of uncooked rice” Sara’s dad replied. “There’s something else you should know. Blood was found on the side of the boat where Jackson went overboard.”
***
Early Saturday morning
While searching along the shoreline, two men found Jackson. As one of the men shined a flashlight on him the other man checked for signs of life.
“I’ll call it in. Tell the others to wrap things up.”
To be continued in the next edition of the Marietta Traveler!