It was a bright summer's day. The trees in the park had been highlighted by the summer sun, vibrant, full of life and the yellow flowers that bloomed in the borders looked as if they had been picked straight out of a painting. It was the bluest of blues above his head, with small streaks of white chasing aeroplanes.

Looking around, Becker found his team waiting for him, Abby clasping one of Connor's hands in both of her own and Matt grinning happily with an arm slung over Emily's shoulder. Finally Jess, solid blue short sleeve top, high red skirt with green belt and heels far too high for her own safety. Together they all started walking.

Before he knew it, they were ambling along a beach, he didn't question how they got there but there they were. Somewhere in the walk he had taken Jess's hand in his own and was smiling at the feel of her fingers brushing gently over his skin. Observing her, he saw the way the sunlight reflected from her hair giving the deep colour an unimaginable number of layers. She glanced up and blushed as she noticed him scrutinizing her, the red giving her skin a soft glow and her eyes sparkling brighter than the pinpoint lights currently dancing over the waves.

Just ahead of them, Emily was indulging in an ice-cream, the heat causing it to melt over the edges and onto her fingers. Matt laughed at her inexperience in 'fighting summer ice-cream cones.' Something, he said, most people ought to have had the privilege to refine in their childhood. Without warning, he leant forwards and licked the rim of the cone, stopping the flow of the no-longer-iced cream. Emily scalded him, so he went a step further and licked one of her chocolate and mint covered fingers. She shrieked in laughter and tilted the ice-cream onto his nose, leaning in to kiss it off.

To their right, Connor had pulled Abby over his shoulder, threatening to throw her into the sea for an offhand comment she had made. As he began to run towards the ocean Emily and Matt took off after them. Whether to protect Abby or help Connor, Becker didn't know.

That was when Jess started to let go of his hand.
"Where do you think you're going?" He tightened his grip and pulled her towards him.
The colours around them started to fade; turbulent greys, dark mustard yellows and tumultuous greens zigzagged across the scenery, tearing at the world around them.
The wind picked up, whipping Jess's hair across her face and into her dark, humourless, eyes.
"I have to go with them."
A stab of pain caught him in the chest. He pulled her closer, wrapping his other arm around her waist.
"Don't leave me."
"Becker."
Her words were breathlessly spoken, no more than a whisper. She placed an arm around his neck, pulling his head down to press a small kiss on his lips.
"I've already gone."