Writing Prompt 2: On the Sand
What are these things lying beached on the shore after a storm? What is the mystery here?
After a storm the night before, curious things have washed up on the shore.
Limp bodies of seaweed or something else with long tails trailing in the sand. The tide is out and the ridges in the sand feel uncomfortable under your feet and in the distance the fog is beginning to close in.
What story can you find here?
Tidelines
Alana tucked her scarf up under her chin.
The air was colder than she expected. Aiden prodded at the shape in the sand with a sharp stick. He knelt down to examine it closely.
The power had gone out in the house.
“I think they’re all dead,” said Aiden poking at the shape again.
“They’ve been washed up overnight, I think. In that storm. I haven't seen anything like it before." Alana squinted into the distance. "The fog's moved right in. Please stop poking at it.” Alana tried to grab the stick out of her son’s hand.
Aiden moved his hand quickly away from her before giving the shape one last - just to be sure - prod.
“Jesus. Aiden stop that.”
Aiden threw the stick down and stood up. “Where do you think they’re from?” he said.
Alana shrugged pulling her jacket around her. She folded her arms.
“Who knows? I’ve never seen them before. There was a story going around about strange creatures from the sea when I was your age.”
“What story?”
“Things. Beings that came out of the water during a winter storm. They died on the sand. Seemed pointless really .”
Aiden kicked at the sand sending a shower into the air. “Maybe they were trying to get somewhere else."
Alana nodded and buried her chin in her scarf. “It’s cold today,” she said.
“And quiet.” Aiden looked back up at the beach. “Where is everyone?”
Alana turned to follow his gaze. The beach was empty. The fog had settled heavily around them. The headland had all but vanished. In the distance, she could make out the vague shape of her son as he started to run away from her.
“Ady! Stop a minute! This fog. I can’t see you.”
Alana stumbled forward as she cried out but her voice fell empty into the air.
First posted January 2019 // Photo: Tanya Clarke - Tofino, Vancouver Island 2017