"Emma! Watch me!" a young voice shouted from the water. Emma shook her head to remove the thoughts that had been plaguing her for weeks now.
"Good job, Gracie!" Emma replied as she watched the girl surf her way to shore with Kono close behind her. As she waved a hand in Grace's direction, the tiny hairs on the back of her neck prickled. Casually looking around, Emma sought out the source of her discomfort. Unfortunately, the beach was crowded and it would be nearly impossible to spot anyone suspicious. When the prickling sensation didn't go away after a few minutes, she picked up her phone and sent a text to Steve.
I think he's here.
As she waited for his reply, she walked closer to the shore line. If her stalker really was here, then that meant that Grace was in danger as well. Emma shuddered at the thought of something happening to the little girl. She'd come to love Grace with all her heart and she'd die before she let anything happen to that sweet child.
On my way. Stick close to Kono.
Within moments the prickling sensation was replaced with a calmer one. Emma briefly turned her head to the left to see Steve making his way towards her. To the casual onlooker, he looked like a beach-going Haole sprinting to catch up to his girlfriend. Emma let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding when his arms swept around her.
"You see him?" Steve asked against her ear.
"No, but I can feel him," Emma replied with a hushed whisper. "I think we need to get Grace out of here."
"I agree," Steve replied before turning towards the water. "Kono!"
Kono quickly ushered Grace to the shore while Steve took their boards.
"What's wrong?" Grace asked as she inspected the faces of the adults standing near here.
"Everything's fine, sweetie," Steve answered with a wink before heading towards the truck. The women followed behind him with Grace in between Kono and Emma. The little girl grabbed Emma's hand.
"Is Danno okay?" she whispered with her big brown eyes shining.
"Oh baby, he's fine!" Emma reassured her as she stopped walking to scoop the girl into her arms. Grace sniffled quietly on Emma's shoulder while she gently rocked them back and forth.
Steve was loading the surf boards into the back of his truck when he noticed that Emma and Grace weren't there.
"Where are they?" he asked Kono as she pulled her cell phone away from her ear. They both looked around frantically before Steve spotted them on the side walk coming towards the truck. He smiled at the sight of Emma and Grace all hugged up to each other with these secret smiles on their faces. Walking around to the driver's side of the truck, Steve pulled the door handle when he heard it.
A gunshot.