It wasn't meant to be like this. All those hopes and dreams, imagined a lifetime ago. Family, friends, a satisfying career, a fulfilled life. To end up here; staring at the horizon, waiting for the moment.
 
The sea mist rolls in, leaving its briny mark in her nose, on her lips. She is instantly filled with memories, of her life before the choice she made, in this very same spot, so many years ago, when she was young, and impulsive. She pulls a hand across her face, catching the tears and discarding them. This is not the time.
 
She can see the wave tops glistening in the distance, she imagines a sea fairy has sprinkled them with glitter to temper their anger. She laughs at herself, still a foolish child when all's said and done. Was that why she ended up back here, once with her heart filled with joy, now broken and ashamed.
 
The waves move nearer, rising towards the darkening sky, before crashing down and receding. Not yet, they tease, but soon. She digs her bare toes into the cool sand as the wind picks up, swirling around her, sparkling with droplets from the sea. She doesn’t notice the chill.
 
She peers out to sea, watching, waiting. Water begins to lap about her feet. She takes a step back. She isn’t ready. She is alone. Was it supposed to be like this?
 
Once more she recalls her first moments on this beach, young, hopeful, defiant, rebelling. Making decisions she didn’t understand. Now she understands. It had been a harsh lesson, but she had been too stubborn to concede the truth. Of course her Elders knew better. Why wouldn’t they?
 
The waves rise against her, her heart pounds, drowning out the ocean’s roar. Ready or not, the time is now. She closes her eyes, and waits for the water to take her. The wind howls and spins around her, drawing a robe of water to surround her, and carry her home.
 
Foolish child, it whispers, go home, go home. She takes a last longing look down at her toes. Scarlett toe nails, well cared for, meticulously applied every day since the first day, the first footstep on the sand. Disappearing into sand, and sea, and scales.
 
Wordcount 377
Bellsgall2015