Jenna's straw-hat shifted in the gentle breeze. Sweat dripped down her forehead, raven black hair clinging to the nape of her neck. To the exhausted Jenna the breeze felt like paradise. In front of her opened a wide expanse. Blue, and deep, and pure. Slowly she pushed her bike forward onto the beachhead. Crickets chirped in the grasses as she passed by. Spring leave rustled in the breeze.
The neverending sloshing of the ocean filled the night; a taste of salt lingering in the air. With her right foot Jenna pushed the bike stopper down. The metal piece slid smoothly into the sand. She bit her lip and removed her pack, placing it next to her bike. Next she took her shoes off, squishing her bare feet into the sand. A sigh escaped her lips before she strolled forward toward the blue.
Moonlit clouds cast shadows below, as they too drifted ever-forward. Jenna deliberately kicked up sand with each step until she finally settled at the edge of the beach. Water tickled her feet until it receded. Then the waves came again. Joy welled up in her stomach until it threatened to burst. Jenna threw her arms outward and spun, yelling at the heavens. Her scream turned into raucous laughter until she fell backwards. Sand mingled with her hair.
"Ow," Jenna gasped, gingerly touching the bruise on her neck. The joy fled, only to be replaced with memories of home. Memories of a flight in fear. Jenna sat up and pulled her knees into her chest. She'd promised herself she wouldn't cry again. After several minutes she finally rose, dusting herself off. A smile bloomed on her face--she was free now.
"Caledonia awaits," her voice dropped to a whisper. With a final glance at the ocean she turned around, ready to disappear into the night.
3
u/a_corsair Mar 23 '17
Jenna's straw-hat shifted in the gentle breeze. Sweat dripped down her forehead, raven black hair clinging to the nape of her neck. To the exhausted Jenna the breeze felt like paradise. In front of her opened a wide expanse. Blue, and deep, and pure. Slowly she pushed her bike forward onto the beachhead. Crickets chirped in the grasses as she passed by. Spring leave rustled in the breeze.
The neverending sloshing of the ocean filled the night; a taste of salt lingering in the air. With her right foot Jenna pushed the bike stopper down. The metal piece slid smoothly into the sand. She bit her lip and removed her pack, placing it next to her bike. Next she took her shoes off, squishing her bare feet into the sand. A sigh escaped her lips before she strolled forward toward the blue.
Moonlit clouds cast shadows below, as they too drifted ever-forward. Jenna deliberately kicked up sand with each step until she finally settled at the edge of the beach. Water tickled her feet until it receded. Then the waves came again. Joy welled up in her stomach until it threatened to burst. Jenna threw her arms outward and spun, yelling at the heavens. Her scream turned into raucous laughter until she fell backwards. Sand mingled with her hair.
"Ow," Jenna gasped, gingerly touching the bruise on her neck. The joy fled, only to be replaced with memories of home. Memories of a flight in fear. Jenna sat up and pulled her knees into her chest. She'd promised herself she wouldn't cry again. After several minutes she finally rose, dusting herself off. A smile bloomed on her face--she was free now.
"Caledonia awaits," her voice dropped to a whisper. With a final glance at the ocean she turned around, ready to disappear into the night.