Only once I was sure the coast was clear did I turn and drive down the dirt road.  I relaxed a bit and only looked behind me twice as I followed the road to the very end, where the forest ended and the beach began.

I smiled softly as I pulled into the small, secret parking lot.  I pulled into my favorite spot and got out of the car, taking a deep breath.  My smile grew as the smell of the beach clouded my senses.  I sniffed and shut my door before moving to the front of my car.  I scooted back onto my hid so I was lying back against my windshield. 

I hated my dad for giving up my secret beach to the competition, but as I stared out over the ocean, I couldn’t help but forget all about it and relax.  I let my eyes close as my breathing began to even out.  It wasn’t unusual for me to come here and end up falling asleep, but I knew that if I did, I’d be stuck here all day tomorrow too and I didn’t have a problem with that.

Suddenly, I hear the almost inaudible sound of footsteps.  I don’t want to call their attention to me, so I slowly sit up and start to move off the hood of my car, wanting to get into my bulletproof car as soon as possible.

“Don’t move.”

I swallow visibly and stop moving.  There’s now adrenaline bounding through my veins as I realize I’m about to die because I know that voice; it’s the voice of Ashley Davies.  My life begins to flash before my eyes and I begin to have second thoughts about a lot of choices I’ve made, including the one to cross the boundary line to come here. 

I keep my gaze glued straight ahead and Ashley doesn’t enter my line of sight as she speaks, “Now, we both know you aren’t supposed to be here.  You’re one very lucky girl, not to have been caught coming here.  That is, until now.  But, if none of us had managed to kill you, your father would have just killed you for us.  So, I have to wonder, what do I do?”