That Moment on the Beach

‘Run,run…’ that’s all she could think of. A million horrible thoughts consuming her mind; yet wishing they would disappear for at least a second. Wishing her worries would fade away like the dark night when the sun rises. Seeing a speck of light in the horizon gave her an insignificant amount of hope. A speck of light is hope; it changes a gloomy grey ocean into an emerald green.
Abruptly she stops. She begins to listen to the waves crashing against the sharp rocks until it changes. It changes to match, to harmonize with the whistling wind. Taking in a deep breath of the salty air, she closes her eyes, sighing and absorbing the luxuriating feeling of the atmosphere.
The billions of golden sand grains embraces her battered feet; the ocean washing away the blood seeping from her wounds. She winced as she wanders aimlessly into the ocean. Each wave cleansing the cuts trailing down her arms; across her chest; down her thighs and diagonally on her back.
Eventually the water was up to her neck. The pain became even more unbearable with every wave that past. Her tattered, dark blue jeans absorbing gallons of water until it felt as if heavy weights were locked onto her ankles. The plain white t-shirt that was clinging to her chest began to itch with the miniscule grains of sand sticking to her skin. Her battered, old trainers had been abandoned long before her feet touched the sand.
Climbing out of the ocean she searches across the lengthy beach. She looks for Oli. She waits for him.
“Alya,” she remembers him saying softly, “if you ever need anything message me and I’ll meet you at the beach. Okay?”
The look of concern and worry that had been his face had been so real, her heart had broken into a million pieces. No one cared as much as he did.
“Okay.” She had replied whilst a smile formed on her face.
Zoning back into reality she catches the sight of a glimmering piece of metal. It’s half buried into the sand like a camouflaged snake. Curious, Alya reaches to grab the intriguing object. Upon brushing the remaining sand off of it, she observes how the edges around it had only began to rust.
Memories flood her mind in less than a second. The pans. The heat. The knife. The pain so excruciatingly painful she grabs her head. Pulling her hair. Digging her nails into her scalp. The smashing of glass. The sizzling hot water on her hand. The screaming… The recollection of memories, of pain, reminding her how she can never go back. On the run forever.
In the distance, she heard someone frantically calling her name. Oli.
“Alya!” A crack in his voice could be heard, like he had been calling her name for hours. “Alya, are you here?”
Alya opens her mouth to reply, but only a whisper could be heard. “I’m here.”
As if he had heard her, Oli’s head whips round to see her. After catching sight of Alya by the edge of the water, he sprints. His feet pounding against the sand with determination.
Drawing closer to her, he embraces her and her dripping body in a warm hug.
“Are you alright? What happen?” He bombards her with questions out of worry. Questions that had been filling his mind since he got her message only two hours ago.
“I’m… I’m f-fine.” She replied to his various questions hesitantly whilst shivering.
“You’re freezing!” He states. “Let’s get you some place warm.”
He begins to lead Alya towards the top of the windy beach until she grabs his arm.
“W-wait.” She whispers. Looking up at him, she watches how his brown hair waves in the wind and how his eyes are filled with worry.
“What do you mean?” He questions. “We need to get you warm.”
“It can wait.” She replies, taking a step closer to him.
“What are you saying?” His nose scrunches in confusion and his eyebrows furrow .
“I’m saying st-stay st-still.” She brings his chest towards hers, bringing their faces into close proximity. Oli’s eyes widen slightly, surprised.
The tip of their noses rubbed delicately against each other. The sound of the whistling wind forgotten. Only the sound of heavy breath is heard. Like two pieces of a puzzle, they connect. The kiss starts off as passionate and hungry but eventually it becomes slow, delicate and loving. Her hands went round his neck and up into his soft locks. His hands hung loosely on her hips, sometimes tightening his grip.
In that moment, Alya knew that Oli would always be there whenever she needs him. Oli is her family and he is all she will ever need.