Author's Note: I'm currently making homemade pizza, so I gotta be quick! This chapter in Word is 14 pages long. This is only half of it. Like chapter 26, and chapter 12. It will be split, but I'll be consolidating it after a one day, of the second half of it being up. Hope y'all are having a wonderful day and summer so far? R&R!?
DellyIsKawaii chapter 27 . Jun 11
It's getting seriously interesting now. It took me while to catch on but it sound interesting. I don't know how to feel about Ever turning into a succumbs or what ever. It's like a prison that steals all hope of happiness away and only leaves you with depression. :( but then again it might be good for her.
Dear Delly,
Haha, yes it is getting interesting. I think you have a slight comprehension of what a succubus is. And I'm not saying I know for sure, but in theory. A succubus is a female demon or supernatural entity in folklore (traced back to medieval legend) that appears in dreams and takes the form of a human woman in order to seduce men, usually through sexual activity. The male counterpart is the incubus. Religious traditions hold that repeated sexual activity with a succubus may result in the deterioration of health or even death. In modern fictional representations, a succubus may or may not appear in dreams and is often depicted as a highly attractive seductress or enchantress; whereas, in the past, succubi were generally depicted as frightening and demonic. In my series, a Succubus is a former Witch who has made a pact with darkness. Succubi give up all human emotions to become predators, seeking powerful men to feed off their testosterone.
I guess I should explain a little more? Or are y'all following me? But I hope by explaining what a succubus is up there, y'all are able to understand my series a little more.
Guest chapter 27 . Jun 11
Ooohhhh Ever did kinda turn though... A little, I mean she kinda went off the deep end. I really like the Succubus stuff. I really hope sometime your novels can be published. It's a cool concept. It's different, unique. I can't wait for the next chapter! Please update soon!Hey I saw on Pinterest you were talking about your next story about Mina bringing Jared back. I know it's not a new concept but no one's ever really gone in-depth with how he does it. Most people skip over it and go to the aftermath so I think a longer version of the tale would be interesting.
Dear Guest,
Yeah she already did. But I wanted y'all to see the gradual descent instead of just jumping straight to it, and y'all be like WTF? I'm glad you like it :) Your not the only one who seems to think so! CeCe also seems to like the premise as well :} If I did go the short story route, I would actually go in depth in describing how she did it. I published a few excerpts from it a long time ago. I don't know if you ever read those though. Honestly I would establish what she's done since the incident, a week and half for her to prepare. Her going to the plane. The Teague v. Mina standoff. The split. And their escape. Something along those lines. Does that make sense? And would you be happy with that?
Dear Fluffy,
Chapter 32.
Part B's Reviews;
Fluffy chapter 28 . Jun 17
Mina, now is not the time for wave jumping! Jared was about to...and then you just...agh, WOMAN.
Also she won't EVER do it again? Hahaha because ever won't ever...hee hee.
Loved it and can't wait for part B!
Dear Fluffy,
Lol! Well Fluffy I'm going to take a wild guess and say you were fustrated by the first half of this chapter? And that you like Puns? XD Thanks for the support! :D
Guest chapter 28 . Jun 17
The Daniel part was the best... I hope Amelia learns the truth about the Mina/Ever situation. I can't wait for the rest of the chapter. And about the bringing Jared back thing, I'm excited for how you're gonna do it. Please update soon!
Dear Guest,
Everyone seems to love Daniels part to play in this chapter XD Honestly I couldn't imagine Jared calling his actual mom, so yeah I improvised. Lol You'll have to wait and see, but in the end. I think I have an ending that everyone will be satisfied with. I'm glad your excited! I'm dying to get started on it again. And is this fast enough for you? ;)
DellyIsKawaii chapter 28 . Jun 18
Lol, acid, my favourite. Wait I mean whaaaaaat? Oh and by the way, thanks for the whole succba thing, now I understand. Mina and Jarred are so cute together!:)
Dear Delly,
Lol, I had no idea you had any first hand knowledge of drugs...hmmmmm interesting haha And Hey! No problem, honestly I didnt really expect y'all to know anyways and don't feel bad about it!
Madaleine
Chapter 28:
Mina woke up the next morning with Jared's arms around her. She sighed, as she flipped herself over to lean her head against his chest. She sighed, breathing in his scent.
Her hands wrapped around Jared's, rubbing his back. "Hmmmmmm... Mina?" He whispered, kissing her head. Mina snuggled closer to him. Jared lifted her chin up- Mina's eyes were wide. He leaned down to kiss her again, until they heard a high-pitched squeal, coming from outside.
"What on earth?"
Mina and Jared froze, as a women came in and found them lying on the floor. She stared at them, perplexed. "Who are you? And why did you do that to my door!?"
Mina rolled off of him. "I-I..." She stuttered.
Jared sat up. "I'm sorry, ma'am. Last night we were caught up in that awful rainstorm, we saw this house, and we came here for shelter. When I tried to open the door, it was stuck. When I tried to open it, it fell down."
Mina looked from Jared to the woman, whose face was an interesting shade of red.
"I'm really sorry." Mina cried. The women stared at her. She was gorgeous. She had long, curly brunette hair. It fell down in perfect ringlets. That woman had awesome beach hair.
She had porcelain skin and stunning blue-green eyes, like the doll Mina had found upstairs. Her lips were thin, but a pretty shade of pink. She was thin and petite. The woman looked around the room; she stopped at the desk, noticing that the sewing materials were missing.
She ran over to the desk and began to search. Jared and Mina looked at one another in confusion.
"Where is it!?" The woman whirled around.
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
"The sewing material! Where is it?"
Jared was confused. When he didn't answer, the woman immediately looked at the fireplace. She looked horrorstricken. "What have you done!?" She ran towards the fireplace, looking distressed as she searched through the hearth. "Look! I don't know what you're doing here, but if you two are here to have sex in my house-"
Mina gasped, and they turned around to face her. "That's not why we're here, I swear! I'm SO sorry!" She held her hands up.
The woman gasped, and they stared at her. "Is that…?" She stared at Mina's hands. Mina followed her gaze. She hadn't realized that she was gripping the blanket she had found.
"May I?" The woman held out her hands. Mina nodded and wordlessly gave it to her. The woman held it, relief poured over her. "I'm sorry. It's just, this means a lot to me. I was afraid when I saw that the sewing material was gone. I- I was afraid that you burned it."
"Oh. Well, I- I found it last night. And I thought it was beautiful." The woman looked up at Mina.
"I'm so sorry! We- I..." Mina sounded strangled.
"Mina!" Jared grabbed her hands. "Shhhh... it's okay." He looked her dead in the eye.
"Mina?" They turned and stared at the woman. "You're that girl! The girl who was kidnapped!"
Mina was confused, until it all came tumbling back to her. Ever had told everyone that she had been kidnapped. Mina nodded.
The woman took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I think we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Amelia." She held out her hand.
Mina and Jared looked at another.
"Jared."
"Mina." They shook her hand.
"What are you doing here?" Amelia asked, confused.
Mina and Jared looked at one another. "I-" they began at the same time. They stared at each other, and Amelia stared at them. Gosh, she must think, like, we faked this... Mina thought.
"When I was kidnapped, I was able to get away. But, in doing so, I fell off of a cliff. In desperation, I called someone I could count on, before my phone died..."
Mina couldn't look her in the eye. "It was probably stupid..." Jared smiled and pulled her closer to him, kissing her head. Amelia looked at the couple before her.
Her mind was spinning. The girl who had fallen off the cliff landed at her house. "And you came out here?"
Jared laughed. "No." He buried his face in her hair, "I searched all over the coast and the island, until I found her."
Amelia didn't even bother asking the obvious question. Like, how the hell did he do that, and not manage to leave last night?
"Well, you two must be starving." She slapped her hands against her knees.
Mina and Jared looked at one another. "Yeah." Mina replied quietly.
"Well, do your parents know you're here? Your mother must be worried sick!"
Mina felt guilty. "Again, I don't have my phone. And he didn't-"
Amelia waved her hands to stop her. "Okay. I have my phone with me. I want you to call your mothers and tell them where you are." She got up and went to the desk, where she had put her purse down. She dug her phone out and walked back over to them. She wordlessly unlocked her phone and handed it over.
Mina hesitantly took it and began to type her number. She heard the familiar ring.
"Hello?"
"Mom?"
"MINA!" Her mom began bawling, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, mom. Jared's with me."
"Oh, is he now?" Her mom's tone changed.
Mina rolled her eyes. "Look, I just wanted to let you know I'm safe..."
"When are you coming home?"
"I- I don't know." Mina could tell her mom was giving her 'the look'.
Amelia held her hand out.
"Hold on, mom, there's a woman who wants to talk to you."
Amelia picked up the phone. "Hi, I'm Amelia Pendergast. I spoke to you last night. Your daughter is currently here with me. I'm sorry, this very awkward." Mina's mom must have said something then, to which Amelia replied, "No, no, no. I- it's alright. You just can't imagine my shock when I walked in this morning, and found your daughter and her boyfriend here... They were perfectly respectful."
Amelia laughed. "No. There was nothing like that going on. I'm sorry. I wanted you to know that she was safe and sound." She nodded her head and continued, "Well, that's the thing. I actually came here by a boat, and they won't be back until tonight. But I'm willing to give my full cooperation in getting her home. I just do not think I have the ability to get her home by the way I got here this morning, any other time."
Mina and Jared listened to Amelia talk on the phone with her mom. Finally, they hung up.
"Now, you call your mom, Jared. She's probably worried sick."
"I think she's a mom herself." Jared whispered to Mina.
"I heard that." Amelia looked over her shoulder, "And I am."
Jared looked slightly embarrassed, as he sat there and began to dial a number.
"Hello?" Daniel's voice echoed. He sounded sleepy.
"Hey, mom. I just wanted to let you know that I'm SAFE and SOUND. And I love you."
Daniel took the phone from his ear. "What the fuck? Okay, dude, did you just say you love me? And, more importantly-I don't know why I don't find this more disturbing- did you just call me mom? Jared, are you on an acid trip?"
"Mom, don't be silly. Look, I promise to be home for dinner."
Mina and Amelia looked at Jared strangely.
"Dude, I swear to God, if you're on acid... we had this conversation in the 60's. Acid is not a good thing." Daniel continued.
"Bye, mom!" was all Jared said.
Daniel stared at his phone.
"Good morning, Daniel." One of the castle maid's called as she walked in.
"Good morning, Sophie."
"What's wrong?"
"I think Jared's on acid."
Sophie groaned. "It's the 60's all over again."
Daniel shook his head. "I know right?"
"My daughter actually made that blanket..." Amelia was showing Mina the blanket.
"It's beautiful stitching. She's very talented."
Amelia smiled. "She would have loved to hear that." She sounded sad. "She was so mad and would get upset that she couldn't get this-" She gestured to a part of the cloth.
Mina was surprised. "Really? To me it looks perfect."
Amelia smiled wider. "I told her the same thing, but she always told me she had to do it perfectly like me."
"You sew as well?"
Amelia nodded. "There's hardly any piece of clothing that I own that I haven't made myself."
"I don't see where she messed up..."
Amelia pointed to the odd, 'rough' stitching.
Mina nodded. "That's so stupid- I'm sorry! It's just, like, you can barely see that!"
Amelia laughed.
"So, this is your place?"
She nodded in displeasure.
"You live here?" Jared asked.
Amelia winced. "Did live here. When Hurricane Sandy came in, it destroyed my home."
Mina and Jared nodded. "I'm very sorry."
"Quite alright. You two must be hungry. And you must feel uncomfortable in that dress."
Mina nodded, embarrassed.
"I brought a change of clothes for me, for tomorrow." Amelia told her," Do you want to try them on?"
Mina looked at Jared and nodded appreciatively.
"Alright, give me a moment."
Mina and Jared stared at another.
Amelia came back with some clothes and a thing of crackers. "You must be hungry." She handed them the roll of Ritz crackers.
Mina nodded, took the crackers, and began to wolf them down. "I'll go-"
Amelia nodded.
"Can I borrow your phone?" Jared asked her. "Maybe I can arrange for a ride back over to shore."
Amelia nodded again. "But I don't know who you could get to come in this weather. That storm last night made a mess of things. And there's supposed to be one just like it again today."
"Well, I guess we'll just have to pray and hope for the best."
"Yes, we shall." She said quietly, as Jared stepped outside. He began to dial the number.
"Come on, dude, pick up..."
"This is Nick..."
Mina came back in. The clothes fit perfectly. "Thank you again, so much."
Amelia smiled, arranging things and picking them up. "It's alright. This house is a mess anyways."
"It's very pretty, though. I couldn't help but notice all the fabulous antiques and the blankets- or what was left of them."
Amelia smiled. "Thank you. This house has been in my family for generations."
"Really?" Mina asked, intrigued. "Is there anything I can help with?"
Amelia shook her head. "No, it's alright."
Mina and Amelia continued to talk for a while. And, truth be told, Amelia was finding it really, truly hard to find a reason to hate her.
But there was, apparently, a good reason why Ever hated this girl. Mina seemed to be very nice, sweet, and a good older sibling...
"So, the woman in the picture, she was your great, great, great grandmother?" Mina asked in awe.
Amelia nodded as they sat back in the chairs.
"What happened to her?"
Amelia sighed. "I personally think that they murdered her."
Mina stared at her, curiosity in her eyes. "How so?"
"She once was in love with a man, and he was in love with her..." Amelia started to wring her hands together. "But... it was not meant to be. She was a widow, for God sakes! Everyone knew it!" She got up and began to pace. "Her husband had been gone for a decade! He had sent her to the New World on her own, when she was sixteen! They only had been married for six months..." She sat down in defeat, "and she was with child."
"She waited for him- ten miserable years. Eventually, the men in the town started to let her slide by for the abnormal things. She had a child! They allowed her to be a man, or do male activities, since... ah, ah she didn't have a man to do it for her."
Mina sat there and listened. "I'm sorry. What happened, though?"
Amelia turned away. "She fell in love with the preacher. When the other single women found out, they punished her, with the scarlet A."
A, as in adultery, Mina thought.
"But there was a woman who would never be satisfied until she had my grandmother out of there. And she made sure of it. She was the reason my grandmother lived in this house. Alone..."
"What happened to her lover?"
Amelia kept her eyes on the setting sun, trying not to cry. "He killed himself, unable to live with the things he had done..."
Mina's heart sunk a little, feeling tears forming in her eyes.
Amelia turned to look at her, and was stunned. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am. That's just- just..." Mina took a deep breath, "I'm so sorry."
Amelia stared, "For what?"
"That's so sad! And horrible! Like, who would ever be that evil, to ruin a woman's life because the person they love doesn't love them back?"
Amelia smiled slightly. "Our lives weren't completely ruined. Our family has lived on."
Jared walked back in at that moment. "Okay. Nick said his family could come out and get us, but the earliest would be tonight."
Mina nodded.
"Well, that's the fastest time I could get you home anyways." Amelia mused.
"Alright. So it's settled. Nick can come and get us tonight, and we can wait for him."
"You're more than welcome to stay here." Amelia offered.
Jared and Mina smiled at her. "That's very kind of you, ma'am." He said.
Mina eyed him. "What?" Jared asked, when Amelia walked away.
"Nothing. I just don't think I've ever seen you more polite before."
Jared glared in amusement and began to tickle Mina, sending her into fits of laughter.
Mina groaned, throwing her head back.
"What's wrong?" Jared asked, his eyes soft as he gazed upon Mina. They were taking a break. They had offered to help Amelia in her house repairs.
Mina looked up at him, "Bored."
Jared laughed, leaning down to kiss her. "Well, what do you want to do? We have to wait till nightfall to get back."
Mina nodded and rubbed her eyes. "That's the thing. I have no idea."
Amelia was standing behind them. "Why don't you go and have fun at the beach?"
Mina and Jared jumped. Mina lifted her head, and Jared looked over his shoulder.
"Can we? I mean, what about you and the house?" Mina questioned.
Amelia smiled. "Yes, you can."
Mina and Jared looked at one another. Jared shrugged.
"GO!" Amelia laughed, "If anything happens, or someone calls... I'll come and get you." Mina and Jared smiled.
Mina got up and walked towards Amelia, hesitantly grabbing her hand. "Thank you so much, ma'am. For everything."
Amelia was stunned. "You're welcome." She whispered back.
Mina grinned and turned around, walking back down the stairs and taking Jared's outstretched hand. They headed towards the beach.
Amelia watched them walk away. "It's easy- and it's hard- to see why that pixie hates you so, Mina Grimm."
Mina was lying down on her towel, tanning. Her were eyes closed, enjoying the sun's rays. She sensed a shadow fall upon her, the sunshine no longer on her skin. She felt pressure upon her lips. Mina opened her eyes. She smiled when she saw Jared, opening her mouth and kissing him back deeply.
"Why don't we go and take this out into the water." Jared kissed her.
"And why would we do that?" She smiled.
"Because I want to do something I would rather not have anyone see, but I can hide it in the water."
Mina rolled her eyes.
"Please?" He asked, giving her puppy eyes.
Mina sighed. "Okay. But if the water's too cold, forget it!" Jared smiled in triumph and pulled her up, running towards the water's edge.
Mina put a foot in. "That's really cold."
"Not if you get used to it."
Mina gave him a pointed look. "I doubt it."
"You actually have to get wet, Mina."
"What about your slacks?"
Jared rolled his eyes. "I don't care about these."
"I'm sure they were expensive."
"I magically made these appear out of a magazine." He kissed her neck. Mina pushed him away.
"Mina-" He accidentally stepped onto unstable ground, his foot sinking into the ground. Jared tried to grab onto something, but ended up slapping the water. Mina gasped as the water hit her.
"Mina, are you okay-?"
Mina scooped up a bunch of water and flung it at Jared, splashing him.
"Oh! Ah! Saltwater!" He gagged.
Mina laughed, and Jared flung water back at her. So she began kicking water at him. Jared gagged on the saltwater. Finally, he had had enough. He ran towards her, and Mina tried to run through the water, but she was struggling. Jared lunged for her, scooping her up in his arms.
Mina laughed. "Are you going to put me down?" She giggled.
Jared shook his head, carrying her out deeper into the water. Mina wrapped her arms around his neck, snuggling against his chest.
"What are we doing?" Mina grinned.
"I don't know, just thought maybe we could relax and have some fun today on the beach."
Mina nodded, kissing his cheek. Jared grinned. "Put me down!"
He frowned. "Why?"
"Because I want to jump in the waves!"
Jared laughed, putting her down. Mina squealed and began jumping upwards as the waves rolled in. "The beach is so much more fun when the tide is rolling in!" Mina yelled, laughing.
Jared grinned. God, she's gorgeous, he thought. She was radiant and beautiful. She was genuine and true. She was perfect in the every sense of the word. And he hated that Ever tried to take her away from him. Well, she wouldn't do that ever again. Not if he had anything to do with it.
Mina looked up at him, jumping as the waves came in. She made a goofy face as they did. Jared laughed, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her. "Let's go. I think we're getting swept away farther from Amelia's house." He whispered. Mina nodded, as they walked along the coast.
A little while later, Mina walked along the beach in boredom. She was coming back from grabbing some lunch at Amelia's. She saw Jared, bent over, looking at something. She smiled and walked into the water. Mina shuddered. Man, was it cold. She walked up behind him and hopped onto his back.
"Hey!" He said in fake annoyance. In fact, he secretly liked how Mina had this strange habit of wanting to cling onto him, or jump on him.
"What are you staring at?" She asked, ignoring him, looking over his shoulder. Jared laughed and pointed to what he was looking at. Mina gasped. "Is that an ane- anemon- tha?" She laughed. "An anemone?" She shook her head.
"Don't hurt yourself now." Jared teased. Mina glared in amusement. "But yeah, it is." He finished.
"That's so cool."
Jared peered over his shoulder. "Wanna touch it?"
Mina was shocked. "Can I?"
Jared laughed, "Why not?"
"Will it sting me?"
Jared shrugged. She could feel his muscles tensing and relaxing. Mina reached a hesitant hand to touch the anemone, her other arm wrapped around his neck. It was fuzzy. She felt a tiny prick.
Mina lifted up her hand and rubbed her fingertips together. Something purple caught her eye. "What's that?" She asked.
"That's a sand dollar."
Mina picked it up. She had never seen a purple one before. "You know, I've never found a whole one before."
Jared looked at her in surprise. "You haven't?" Mina shook her head. "There's a whole bunch of them over there." He gestured.
Mina felt somewhat excited. "Where?"
Jared smiled and got up; Mina rolled off of him.
"Over there. I'll show you." He whispered. Mina nodded happily and followed him. They walked a ways before Jared took her to a spot where the water was much calmer. Hardly any waves were charging upon the shore.
"See?" He pointed to the shallow water. Mina studied the surface, holding her hair back.
"No..." She gasped, picking one up. It was purple, like the one earlier. Another one just like it was nearby Mina picked it up.
"That's so cool!" She said in awe. She picked them up, fingering them, and smiled.
"What?" Jared asked, curiously.
"Oh, I'm just thinking about how, when I was younger, I used to believe that sand dollars were mermaid currency. Like, I was absolutely convinced. Because, why else would it be called a sand 'dollar'?"
Jared was in fits of laughter. Mina made a face at him. "You're crazy," he teased, reaching out to tickle her. Mina fell into his arms, laughing.
She tried to push him away. "STOP!" She cried out, laughing.
"I just love that laugh so much!" He kissed her passionately.
Mina melted into his embrace. He smirked as he began to tickle her again. Mina pushed him away.
"JA-RED!" She squealed.
"Yes, love?" He had a huge, goofy grin plastered on his face. "What?"
"You're going to make me break the sand dollars." She whined, not really meaning it.
"But then you'll release goodwill and peace throughout the land." he teased.
Mina stared at him like he was insane. "What?"
Jared laughed. "You know, the sand dollar myth-" Mina's look told him she had no idea what she was talking about.
"You're telling me you have never heard the legend about the sand dollar?"
Mina shook her head.
"Are you being serious?"
"Yes!" Mina shook her head, "I don't believe you. I think your fibbing."
"What, you haven't heard of the legend of the sand dollar?" Mina shook her head.
"The Legend of the Sand Dollar is a story that includes the five slits, representing the wounds of Christ when on the cross." Jared held the purple sand dollar in his hand. The white one in his other hand, he pointed out the slits. "The Easter Lily with a star in the middle, representing the star of Bethlehem, and on the back, is the outline of a Poinsettia. The Legend of the Sand Dollar also tells of the five doves that are inside, and how, when the sand dollar is broken open, it spreads goodwill and peace."
Mina looked suspicious. "Doves?"
Jared nodded. "What? Do you think I'm making this up?"
Mina laughed. "Yes! I've never heard of that! Or seen that before!"
Jared continued smiling. "They are very hard to come across, because they're very fragile and are usually found inside of a sand dollar that has been recently found on the beach, and carefully broken apart. It's their teeth." He explained, breaking the sand dollar into different parts.
Mina gasped, holding her hair back still, analyzing the five pieces. "Whoa! And that's their teeth!?" Mina asked in awe.
Jared nodded.
"Does this one have it too-? Ah!" She almost dropped it, "Is it moving?" She swore she saw it moving!
Jared laughed, "Yes. It's purple when it's alive. White when it's dead."
Mina stared at it, walking over to the water, and gently put it down. Jared smiled and held out his hand. Mina smiled, walking back.
"So the one you broke is dead?"
"Well, now it is." He joked.
Mina glared at him in amusement. "So is that all of the story?"
Jared frowned, thinking. "Besides the poem."
"How does the poem go?"
Mina leaned into him. Jared wrapped his arms around her. He picked up another sand dollar from her.
"The Legend of the Sand Dollar;
There's a lovely little legend,
That I would like to tell,
Of the birth and death of Jesus,
Found in this lowly shell.
If you examine closely,
You'll see that you find here,
Four nail holes and a fifth one,
Made by a Roman's spear.
On one side, the Easter Lily,
Its center is the star,
That appeared unto the shepherds
And led them from afar.
The Christmas Poinsettia
Etched on the other side,
Reminds us of His birthday,
Our happy Christmastide.
Now break the center open,
And here you will release,
The five white doves awaiting,
To spread Goodwill and Peace.
This simple little symbol,
Christ left for you and me,
To help us spread His gospel,
Through all Eternity."
Mina sighed inwardly, thinking about it. "Who wrote it?"
Jared kissed her head. "The author is unknown."
Mina nodded, smiling at him. They kissed for a while, enjoying the sun, the beach, and the soft, warm wind blowing around them. Mina grabbed the hat off his head.
"Where did you get this?" She asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"From Amelia. She said I could use it. The sun is beating down on us."
Mina nodded. "Well, what shall we do now?" She whispered.
"I can think of a few ideas." He chuckled lustily. "Or..." Jared raised an eyebrow. "Or what?"
Mina smiled. "Catch me if you can!" She laughed, running down the beach with the fedora.
Jared chased her down the beach, laughing as he gained on her. He reached out to grab Mina's hip.
"JA-RED!" She squealed, running from him. Jared quickly bounded after her.
"Give back the hat!" He demanded. Mina looked down at the fedora.
"It's not even yours. It's Amelia's." She teased. Mina had trouble running through the sand, losing her balance and slipping. Jared leapt across the sand dunes with ease. He snatched the hat out of Mina's hands.
"Hey!" She cried, running after him. They chased each other up and down the beach. When Mina came within grabbing distance, she reached out her hand. Jared noticed this, and jumped into the air. Mina stared up at him.
"What the hell!?"
Jared landed on the ground, gracefully, like a cat. He laughed. "Can't catch me!" He taunted.
He smirked and continued to run down the beach, Mina following closely behind him. Finally, she was out of breath. "You win! White flag!" She wheezed.
Jared turned around, smirking still. "When are you going to learn?" He held it behind his back. Mina tried to grab it feebly. Jared held it higher above her. He was laughing. Mina glared at him.
"You're terrible." She whined.
"No, I'm not." He grinned, pulling her close to him. Mina gasped, smiling as he put the fedora on her head. She wrapped her arms around him, kissing him passionately. Jared's and Mina's tongues dueled in their mouths. Jared wrapped his arms around her waist, smirking once again, as he heard her sigh into his mouth.
"Brrrrrrroooooommmp!"
They broke apart, hearing the ships horn.
"I guess that's our ride." Mina whispered. Jared nodded. "Last one to Amelia's is a rotten egg!" She whispered, taking off running.
When they got back to the house, they saw the boat. It was a little ways offshore.
"Can't he come closer?" Amelia asked.
Jared shook his head. "May I?" He motioned to her phone.
Amelia nodded, handing it to him. Jared punched in Nick's number. "Hey, can't you get closer?"
The frown Jared had, told the girls no.
"We're going to have to swim for it."
Mina frowned. "Okay. Let me get changed back into that dress."
Mina came back out, her shoes in hand.
When she tried to hand the clothes to Amelia, she refused. "Keep them. You'll have at least something warm to wear."
Mina shook her head. "No, please. I would feel wrong. But... how are we going to get to the boat?" It was a little ways away. Mina stood there, bewildered.
"I'll carry you." Jared resolved.
Mina stared at him. "All the way out there?" She was shocked.
"Yeah." Jared was completely serious.
She shook her head as Jared picked her up and carried her out towards the water.
"Bye, Amelia! Thanks again!" Mina called, genuinely meaning it.
Amelia smiled, in spite of herself. "Bye! I was more than happy to help. Call me when you're home safe, please!" She laughed.
Those were kids, she thought.
Jared and Mina turned around. "Will do." He promised.
Nice and sweet, obviously this young man cared deeply about Mina. With one last look, Amelia turned away. Jared morphed into an ogre, his stature growing. He walked slowly towards the boat. Nick was waiting for them.
"Thanks, Nick!" Mina called, smiling.
Nick smiled. "No problem, Mina. I'm glad to help." He reached out and gave her a big hug, holding her tightly. "I'm just glad you're safe."
Mina smiled, hugging him back. Jared morphed back into his mundane form. As he did, he gripped the boat tightly, sinking into the water. He pulled himself upwards, getting into the boat. "Let's go." He said, wringing out his shirt. Nick nodded and started up the boat, as they drove away into the night.
Jared and Mina stepped off the boat.
"Whooot! We made it!" She cried, grabbing Jared's hand and raising it into the air, as they stepped onto shore. Jared grinned at Mina. Nick smiled as he tied up the boat.
"Thanks again, Nick." Jared called, as he grabbed his keys off of the chair. Mina swayed with the waves, frolicking in them.
"No problem, guys." Nick jumped down and gave them one last hug, before wading back to shore and driving away.
Mina smiled, "So what now?"
Jared laughed softly. "I'm getting you home." He declared, walking to his car. Mina nodded and walked with him, hand and hand.
