Free Eliza's Shadow by Catherine Wittmack Page A

exactly is it?” I asked suspiciously trailing
after Ren as he walked across Main Street.
    Ren maintained a swift pace leading me down Main.
“We’re going down to the water.” He said.
    I quickened my pace to match his and followed him
with more confidence once I discovered our direction. We made our way back to
the stairwell. The creaking wooden steps were slippery with morning dew and Ren
clasped my forearm. Once we reached the trail along the water, he began to lead
me away from the path we had used the night before.
    “We’re going to the old marina, it’s calmer
there.” He offered.
    To call it a marina was misleading, as the old
marina was nothing of the sort. In fact, it was really just a protected cove
nestled into the shoreline with a few ramshackle docks. These days it was
primarily used for swimming. Of course, once the weather cooled it was usually
vacant.
      When we reached the old marina, Ren headed
for one of the rickety old docks. The planks spread wide, warped by time and
weather. Barnacles coated the poles.
    I stood on the rocky shore eyeing Ren dubiously as
he boldly strutted down the worn dock. I didn’t even consider setting foot on
the structure until he turned and motioned for me to join him.
    “Come on, Eliza, the view is much better out
here.” He urged.
    “Yeah but do you think it’s safe? I’m not in the
mood for a swim.” I shouted after him.
    “Safe enough.” He shrugged.
    Silently scolding myself for taking the risk, I
gingerly stepped onto the dock and plodded after Ren toward the end. By the
time I reached him, he was comfortably sitting on the edge swinging his legs,
the tips of his toes missing the water by a few inches. I lowered myself onto
the edge of the dock and joined him. Having never spent much time at the old
marina, I was surprised by how calm the water was inside the cove. Yet, from
our vantage point on the dock, we could clearly see the white tips of the waves
lapping the shore beyond it.
    Ren inhaled the sea air deeply. “Peaceful, isn’t
it?” He asked.
    I scanned the open water and began to relax. The
ocean had that effect on me. I watched a pair of seagulls swoop and dive riding
the breeze and nodded smiling in response.
    “It really is.” I replied.
    “They’re saying that we’ve scared away the school
of fish they were hunting. They’re not very happy with us.” Ren said with a
chuckle.
    I quickly scanned the beach around us puzzled.
“They?” I asked confused.
    “The gulls.” He said pointing to the sky above us.
    I smirked at him doubtfully. “Are you joking?”
    “All things in nature have a voice, it’s just a
matter of learning how to hear them. Understanding animals is a skill I’ve
spent a lot of time developing.” He said earnestly.
    I shook my head in bewilderment. “Talking to
animals, really? What’s next?” I asked.
    Ren burst into laughter. “Quite a bit actually.”
He said before the grin faded. He looked at me pensively for a minute as if
considering his next move.
    “Can I show you something?” He asked his brow
furrowed.
    “Sure.” I tried to remain calm, though excitement
danced in my stomach.
    Ren jumped to his feet and rubbed his hands
together theatrically at first then winked at me. Like a chef with a spoon, his
hand swirled above the water beneath my feet.
    Instantly the fish that had been lazily circling
the dock legs scattered. The waves that had lapped the dock grew still, leaving
the water unnaturally placid. Then subtly the water began to swirl
counterclockwise against the direction of the natural current. Directly beneath
my feet a whirlpool developed and began to pick up speed. The water spread
around the eye of the pool, white froth edged the whirling ring.
    I managed to pull my eyes from the phenomenon to
view Ren. His hand was still above my head, his face a calm mask of
concentration. He smiled easily in response to my amazed expression.
    The whirlpool grew stronger and emitted a wet
breeze,