Running the Tides by Amanda Kayhart

Author:Amanda Kayhart [Kayhart, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

Olivia guides us from room to room, stopping at every tank and habitat, with vibrant eyes and a whispering mouth. I’m still unsure if we would truly get in trouble stalking these hallways after-hours. But I enjoy having her mouth close, offering interesting animal facts into my ear like sweet nothings, with a sprinkle of vigilance garnishing the air. And there’s tons to explore: sea turtles, leafy sea dragons, pulsating jellyfish, and menacing moray eels. After dedicating so much of her life to this place, there’s not one creature Olivia’s unsure of, and nearing the end of the night, I find myself marveling, not only the fantastic world around us, but the woman navigating the way.

“Are you ready for the grand finale?” Olivia asks.

“I’ve certainly enjoyed our night so far,” I say.

“Good.” She stops and faces me in the hallway. “Close your eyes, then.”

I tilt my head and look at her skeptically.

“Close. Your. Eyes.”

Reluctantly, I oblige. I’m not a fan of surprises, but I have little say once Olivia wraps her hand around mine, prompting me forward. I shuffle my feet. My heart accelerates. The light behind my eyelids softens, and the darkness intensifies. Perhaps sensing my trepidation, Olivia grips my hand tighter.

“Okay,” Olivia says. She stops and releases my hand. “Now.”

Opening my eyes, I awaken to a wall of glass, floor-to-ceiling, encasing blue waters, fish, and sharks. A replica sunken ship rests at the bottom of the large, ocean habitat.

“Oh my God,” I whisper.

Several gray sharks, much larger than the one earlier in the night, glide through the water, their strong spines swaying effortlessly as they swim. I gawk at their beady eyes, hooking and sinking into me from behind the glass. I follow them until they swim away, taking their rows of jagged, protruding teeth out of sight.

“Impressive?” Olivia asks.

I keep my eyes on the massive predators. “Very.”

“There’s over seventy species of shark inhabiting North Carolina waters,” she says. “There’s only three here, though: nurse, sand tiger, and sandbar.”

“They’re gorgeous.”

“And strong,” she says. “Lethal combination.”

I gaze at the open waters and schools of colorful fish for several minutes, until I notice Olivia’s attention is not on the glass any more.

“I’m happy you’re here,” Olivia says.

“I’m happy I’m here, too.” I shift weight from leg to the other, feeling her stare intensify. “And thank you for the private tour.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I really hope you don’t get into trouble for this.”

“I’m not worried about it.” She shakes her head. “The only thing concerning me is you.”

I snap my eyes towards her. “Me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“This morning,” she says. “What you heard. How I treated you.”

“You’ve already apologized,” I say. “You don’t need to explain anything.”

“I do.” Olivia walks away, lowering herself onto the step seating behind us.

“You want to keep your private life private.” I lift and drop my shoulders, watching her settle. “You had every right to be angry.”

“I wasn’t angry.”

“You weren’t?”

“I mean, yes. I was. But . . .” Sighing, she drags her fingers through her hair with a violent shake.

“You don’t have to do this.

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