He hates to see her go, but at the same time he's grateful. He stays in the water a minute, he didn't really get to clean up last night anyway, though a salt-water bath doesn't always make one feel clean. He splashes some water over his head when he hears a shout and turns to face the beach. The sight that greets him is anything but friendly. A couple angry-looking villagers have come and they're starting to wade in after him. He'd take a step back but even he's not certain he could out-swim them. He works his way toward the beach and he barely makes it out of the surf when he finds himself shoved onto the wet sand and pinned there.
They're demanding to know what he was up to, someone swore they saw him with a dark haired girl, possibly one that had gone missing during the stormy night. Bruce is doing everything he can to keep from panicking, and someone very nearly throws a punch at him when a loud voice rings out. It's the Sheriff and he cows the crowd, but only enough to spare Bruce a chance to be released and stand up.
What follows is a long day of questions and accusations. As the only stranger in town he's the prime suspect until her disappearance is ruled out as something else. A search is made of his secluded place, and all the watery runoff along with his bloody shirt and mysterious equipment does little to convince anyone of his innocence.
Eventually, though, nothing can be made of the baseless accusations and he's let go. The entire town is glaring at him, he can feel it, but he needs money so he can leave, and makes certain he can get back on the boat. The Captain seems open enough about the situation and the day after, Bruce is back on the docks, trying to ignore all the glares burning holes in the back of his head until the vessel casts off.
no subject
They're demanding to know what he was up to, someone swore they saw him with a dark haired girl, possibly one that had gone missing during the stormy night. Bruce is doing everything he can to keep from panicking, and someone very nearly throws a punch at him when a loud voice rings out. It's the Sheriff and he cows the crowd, but only enough to spare Bruce a chance to be released and stand up.
What follows is a long day of questions and accusations. As the only stranger in town he's the prime suspect until her disappearance is ruled out as something else. A search is made of his secluded place, and all the watery runoff along with his bloody shirt and mysterious equipment does little to convince anyone of his innocence.
Eventually, though, nothing can be made of the baseless accusations and he's let go. The entire town is glaring at him, he can feel it, but he needs money so he can leave, and makes certain he can get back on the boat. The Captain seems open enough about the situation and the day after, Bruce is back on the docks, trying to ignore all the glares burning holes in the back of his head until the vessel casts off.