CALM BEFORE THE STORM
1158 Words
Chapter 6
The flight felt like it would never end.
By the time we arrived at the house, everyone looked completely exhausted. We dragged our suitcases inside one after another. The house was beautiful, with large windows that let in plenty of sunlight. From the balcony, we could see the ocean stretching into the distance.
I dropped my bag beside the couch and collapsed onto it.
"I don't think I can move another step," Lisa groaned as she stretched.
Max laughed as he picked up a grocery bag.
"You'll survive. Everyone, go and grab your clothes. I'll make something for us to eat before we all pass out."
"You can cook first," Charlie said with a smile. "I'm not moving until I eat."
Lisa turned to Linda.
"Linda, please get me something to drink. I'm so thirsty."
Linda walked to the fridge, took out a bottle of cold water, and handed it to her.
"Here."
Lisa smiled.
"Thank you."
She drank almost half the bottle before looking toward the kitchen.
"So... what's on today's menu?"
"Noodles," Max answered.
Lisa narrowed her eyes.
"Only noodles?"
"For now."
"Fine. But add chicken."
"I was already planning to."
"And don't burn it."
Max laughed.
"You're never going to let that go, are you?"
"Never."
The room filled with soft laughter.
Linda looked around.
"Where are Vanessa and Toby?"
"They're still in the bathroom," Lisa replied. "They wanted to freshen up first."
Just then, Charlie walked into the living room, drying his hair with a towel.
He looked at Linda.
"Have you spoken to Kemi today?"
Linda's smile slowly faded.
"Not yet. I wanted to give her a little time."
Charlie nodded.
"How is she holding up?"
Linda hesitated before answering.
"She texted me yesterday. Her mom was arrested."
The laughter in the room disappeared.
Charlie stared at her.
"Arrested? What happened?"
Linda lowered her voice.
"Kemi found out that her mom killed her dad years ago. She couldn't keep quiet anymore, so she reported everything to the police."
Silence filled the room.
No one knew what to say.
Charlie let out a slow sigh.
"I still can't believe a mother could do something like that."
Linda looked down at her hands.
"I've been thinking about Kemi ever since she told me. She finally learned the truth... but it came at such a painful cost."
Lisa's smile faded.
"I can't imagine what she's going through."
Charlie nodded.
"I just hope she isn't facing all this alone."
Lisa looked at him.
"She isn't. She has us. And we'll be there for her, no matter what."
Linda managed a small smile.
"I'll call her later. Maybe hearing our voices will make her feel a little better."
For a moment, they all sat quietly, each thinking about Kemi and everything she had been through.
Just then, Toby walked into the living room, rubbing his stomach dramatically.
"If nobody feeds me in the next five minutes, I might actually faint."
That earned a few laughs, breaking the heavy silence.
Max smiled and pointed toward the dining table.
"Perfect timing. Food's ready."
Everyone quickly gathered around the table.
"I'm so hungry," Charlie said as he picked up his fork.
"For once, we all agree on something," Lisa replied with a grin.
The room grew quiet as everyone started eating.
After a few bites, Vanessa suddenly coughed.
"Max..."
He looked up immediately.
"What happened?"
She quickly reached for her glass of water and took a long drink.
"This is... really spicy."
Charlie burst into laughter.
"Lisa asked for chicken, not dragon fire."
Lisa covered her face, laughing.
"I didn't ask for this!"
Max looked embarrassed.
"I honestly didn't think I added that much pepper."
Toby took a bite.
A second later, he grabbed his drink.
"My brother is trying to send us all to the hospital."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Even Max couldn't stop laughing.
"I'm sorry."
Vanessa smiled warmly.
"It's okay. I'll survive."
Toby gently reached for her bowl.
"I'll make something else for you."
She shook her head.
"No, don't worry. I'll just eat the chicken."
Charlie laughed.
"See? Your chicken is the only safe thing on this table."
Another round of laughter filled the house.
For the first time since leaving home, everyone looked truly relaxed.
After lunch, they all helped clean the kitchen.
Within a few minutes, everything was spotless.
Linda stepped onto the balcony and rested her hands on the railing.
"The view is beautiful."
Charlie walked over and stood beside her.
"It really is."
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. They simply listened to the sound of the waves in the distance and enjoyed the cool breeze.
Lisa suddenly clapped her hands.
"Okay, enough relaxing. Can we go somewhere?"
"The beach," Toby suggested immediately.
"I know a really nice one," Max said confidently.
Vanessa smiled.
"As long as you actually know the way."
"I do."
Charlie folded his arms.
"That's exactly what someone who's about to get us lost would say."
Everyone laughed.
Max rolled his eyes.
"You people have no faith in me."
"We're just being careful," Lisa teased.
About twenty minutes later, everyone had changed into lighter clothes.
Max picked up the car keys and smiled.
"Ready?"
"Let's go!" Toby said excitedly.
A few minutes later, they climbed into the car and drove toward the beach.
The drive to the beach was peaceful. Music played softly through the speakers as everyone admired the beautiful scenery outside. Tall palm trees lined the road, and the salty breeze drifted through the open windows.
When they finally arrived, the beach looked even more beautiful than they had imagined.
The waves rolled gently onto the shore. Children laughed as they chased one another across the sand, and the cool breeze instantly washed away the tiredness from the journey.
"This place is beautiful," Vanessa said with a smile.
"I told you you'd love it," Max replied proudly.
Everyone spread out across the beach.
Toby and Charlie raced along the shore, laughing like little kids.
Lisa and Linda took off their slippers and walked closer to the water.
Vanessa stood quietly, enjoying the sound of the waves.
Max smiled as he watched his friends having fun.
For the first time in days, everything felt peaceful.
Then his phone vibrated.
He frowned and pulled it out of his pocket.
The message came from an unknown number.
His smile slowly disappeared.
I found you.
Max's heart skipped a beat.
He quickly looked around the beach.
Families were laughing.
Children were playing.
Couples were taking pictures.
Everything looked normal.
But something didn't feel right.
He looked down at his phone again.
Another message appeared.
Don't bother looking around. I'm already watching you.
A cold chill ran down his spine.
Without saying a word, he slipped the phone back into his pocket and forced himself to smile.
He didn't want the others to panic.
But deep inside...
He knew their peaceful vacation had just come to an end.
- Writer
