Chapter 5
The dream came again that night. Taya woke with a fright and lay trembling in her bed. The dream was the same as before. The chill air, the feeling of being frozen in place, the boy lying beside her, but this time she had seen the dark hair curling over his ears. Turning onto her side she looked out through the doors at the bay. Moonlight streamed across the water, a silvery pathway leading to the horizon.
Why am I having this stupid dream over and over? Is the boy Chris? What does it mean?
Outside all was still, except for one small boat moving slowly across the bay. Taya watched it for a few minutes before she slipped back into sleep.
She awoke to sunshine and the smell of bacon cooking. Taya dressed quickly and opened the doors to the verandah. The sea air smelt fresh and tangy. Stretching her arms above her head, Taya looked toward the lookout on the headland. There was a man standing there, just as there had been the previous evening. Using the telescope to gain a closer look, she could see that the man was looking at Splinter Island with binoculars. He was wearing a cap backwards and he leaned on the rail, looking seawards.
Are you the same guy who was there last night? What are you watching for?
She moved the telescope, skimming over the water to the island and back along the beach. A couple of fishermen were on the rocks below the headland.
‘Good luck, guys,’ Taya chuckled softly.
Some joggers were doing stretching exercises on the pathway near the pier.
‘Fitness nuts. Where do you get the energy so early in the morning?’
Looking directly in front of the house, she noticed seagulls strutting purposefully along the sand. Someone was lying at the water’s edge. Taya tightened the focus on the telescope and realized it was a man lying face down on the firm sand. He lay still. Blood trickled from a wound on the back of his head.
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