Peripheral Vision: A Supernatural Thriller(24)

“This is where we walk.” Nick said and then ran around to the passenger side and opened the door for Sarah. Nick approached the barbed wire fence first and simultaneously pulled up on the middle strand and pushed down on the bottom wire with his foot. He motioned for Sarah to go through.

“Gotcha.” She said and squatted down to side step through the fence.

Nick then stepped through himself, and as he stood back up to full height, reached for Sarah’s hand. She had extended it to him and he gladly took it. “It’s just a short stroll through this field and over the hill. See the tree up there? That’s where we’re headed, promise.”

The two walked, hand in hand across the alfalfa field. When they reached the tree at the top of the hill, Sarah found herself amazed by the stunning view of the twisting river valley below. She wasn’t sure what she had expected, but it surely wasn’t this. A cool, but pleasant breeze blew up from below, blowing her hair across her face. Sarah moved her hand up to brush her hair back and at the same time turned her head to the right. She was again surprised at what she saw. There, hiding in the shadows, was the murky outline of a tall, narrow bridge. Its stark silhouette crossed the canyon, high above the twisting river below.

“This is what I wanted to show you,” Nick said while pointing at the bridge, “It’s the old RNW railroad bridge. Trains aren’t in operation anymore, but the view… well I’ll let you see for yourself.”

Sarah couldn’t help but feel a little nervous as the two stepped out onto the railroad bridge. Nick noticed her hesitation and again reached back and took her hand.

“It’s okay, Sarah, nothing to worry about. Just step where I step.” He said with a wink.

And before she knew it the two of them were standing in the middle of the 150-foot tall steel bridge, looking down at the river below. It isn’t so bad, no reason to be nervous, her mind reassured her. “It’s so beautiful,” Sarah said aloud, “thank you for bringing me out here.”

“Of course. I felt like I should show you all the good things, some of my favorite places…” Nick trailed off for a moment, and when he looked up at Sarah he looked uncomfortable and sad. “I’m sorry for earlier tonight. I should have…”

“Nick,” Sarah stopped him. “Let’s not think about it anymore, okay? I would much rather just enjoy this view,” she smiled in his direction before continuing her thought, “and enjoy the present company.” Sarah felt the tingling urge to kiss him. It was growing powerful now, but she forced herself to wait. She was sure Nick would kiss her at some point, he had to-it was the perfect setting, and she was sending all the signals.

But instead of kissing her, Nick leaned his arms up against the side guardrail and looked down at the river and out over the canyon. Sarah noticed then that he held two small rocks in his left hand.

“How about a game then?” He asked.

“Ok. What kind of game?”

“Well, how about another bet? At the bottom of these steel piers-do you see the concrete pilings?”

Sarah nodded.

“First one to hit it with a rock.” Nick smiled as he handed Sarah a small round stone. “Ladies first.”

Sarah raised her arm and then stopped. “Wait, so what’s on the line here, Nick?”

“Breakfast.” Nick smiled.

Sarah laughed. This man really has a way about him, she thought, and let loose her rock. It flew from her hand and cut through the darkness and then… splash. She’d missed the target. “I think I missed.” She frowned.

“Well, you hit the river. Keep your chin up.” Nick winked at her and then let his rock fly. It whirred through the night air and then… dank. He’d hit it-right on target.

Sarah clapped. Nick took a little bow. Sarah curtsied in response, and then the two of them laughed together for what seemed like hours, their warm breath forming small clouds in the cold air.

“I guess I owe you breakfast then.” She said as the laughter finally slowed down. “Can I add it to my tab?”

“I don’t see why not.” Nick joked back at her, and then the two of them found themselves leaning up against the guardrail and once again looking out over the river. Their bodies were only inches apart. Their elbows occasionally touching as they both seemed to be waiting on the other to make some sort of move. It was an awkward sort of silence, like a middle school dance, with two young sweethearts afraid to touch one another. Sarah decided to break the silence.

“Nick, did you ever think about leaving Homewood?”

“Yeah. I really always thought that I’d end up somewhere else. I don’t know, in some city or something.”

“Well I’m sure your Dad was thankful when you stuck around and took over his business.” Sarah said and then immediately regretted bringing up Nick’s father again.

“He was. Though it was more of my ACL’s decision than mine.”

“Football,” Sarah said.

“Yeah, how’d you know?”

“The old man working at the hotel. He told me. Said you were a football star.”

Nick frowned. “It was a shitty way to spend my senior season, but things happen, and then other things happen. And now I’m standing on a bridge next to you.”

“Well, that I’m thankful for.” Sarah blushed and then tried to change the subject. “But you can trust me on this, cities aren’t always the end-all... “