The irresistible Siren's song of waves calls dreamers from miles away. Hot snow white sand buries my toes, baking as if in a soothing oven. White sand upturns with footfalls and lifts, flinging shells as it is walked on. Footprints mark the soft sand. The ocean breeze smooths over the disturbed sand and soon, millions of tiny rocks return to their natural place.
From the sand, sprouts palm trees with gorgeous rough trunks splitting into branches hosting shady green leaves. A few coconuts can be found bunched up in groups, under the palms' tinted umbrella of shade. The sweet fruits are too high for humans to get a grasp of. The cool ocean breeze ruffles the palms gently, bringing the salty scent of the sea to shore. The stretch of the seashore is vacant and the whistle of the wind and the hum of the waves beating against the jagged rocks are the loudest noises.
How could this paradise be empty? It is a perfect desert isle surrounded by blue and obviously untouched by humans. The sun beams down on the water as if grinning from ear to ear. Glistening, clear, azure water meets the sand ten yards from the nearest palm tree and stretches as far as the eye can see. It is as clear as glass and halcyon, showcasing rainbow schools of fish swimming with the current.
Foamy waves crash against the rocks to the right boisterously. A wispy, mystical mist forms over the crashing water. It is almost like a dream, planting a longing in your heart that draws you to the seashore.
However, to me, and the six others stranded here, it's a perfect nightmare.
How could a place like this, like all desktop backgrounds, cause any grief? That was a mystery- well, not anymore.
The ten gray-blue dead bodies washed up on the other side of this perfect desert isle are enough explanation.
Tears stream down my face. The dull pain in my ankle, bleeding profusely by now, is the only thing telling me that I'm alive. How many other people are? I didn't see everyone's body. Living or dead, mangled, bleeding, broken or without a scratch- I need to see to believe they're truly gone.
To truly see such a beautiful place like this- through my salty, bloodshot eyes, is bittersweet.
And all I can think is- Fate, have you hurt me enough? What more can you do?
I glance at Jacob, his warm arms numbly flitting around my waist. I am not losing you, too. Not after everything.
I remember his promising words, 'I love everything about you, except the fact that you're not mine.' and my eyes fly over his russet features. Strong nose, tan skin, dark hair. Tall and strong.
I wouldn't want to be stranded with anyone else. But life takes years to build, and only seconds to break and tear away- leaving us all with nothing.
Life is a shipwreck.
