I turned around to run back to the slope, but stopped after a few steps when I heard loud scream behind me. I turned back to find I was alone and Mark was nowhere to be seen.

I called out but heard nothing. I looked around, but I couldn't see anyone. I realised that not even the boat was here now. I stumbled back a couple of steps, not knowing whether to stay or to go for help. After calling his name one last time I ran to the slope and hurriedly clambered up, this time making it to the top. I glanced back one last time before running for home.

By the time I made it back home it had almost stopped raining. I raced through the front door and shouted my parents, blurting out the story as soon as I saw them.

Three years later there is no explanation for what happened. They went down there, but there was no boat wreck and no sign of Mark anywhere. They searched for days, all up and down the coast. It was only after a week of not finding anything at all that the searchers finally gave up, leaving me and Marks parents upset and confused, but knowing they'd done all they could.

Today is the first day I've been back here, to the cove, and as I stand above the slope I feel the tears start to fall. I wipe them away with the back of my hand and slowly make my way down the slope to the sand below. I slowly walked up to the water, looking around as I did, feeling strangely nervous. I sat down when I reached the edge of the waves. I pulled my legs up and wrapped my arms around them as I sadly looked out over the sea, wishing Mark could be here with me. All I could hear was the waves and a few birds that were flying by.

The cool breeze made me shiver and I pulled my jacket around me more. Winter was drawing in and even though the sun was out it was getting colder. As evening drew in I stood up and began to make my way back to the slope. I stopped when I thought I heard a voice. Looking around I couldn't see anything. I sighed, thinking I was imagining it. I heard it again though and this time I was sure someone was there. I walked back towards the sea, wondering if someone was on a boat. I was surprised when I saw what looked like someone swimming.

I called out to them, but didn't hear a response. The water seemed to splash up though and I wondered if there was a rock there. It was quite far out though and I knew there were no rocks that big. For a start the fisherman were always going by here and I'd often swam right out when it was calm. I was confused. It was cold enough just standing there so the sea must be freezing. No one would be stupid enough to go swimming at this time of year.

I heard a voice again and looked around at the top of the slope. Nothing. I turned back to see and blinked a few times. I was sure I'd just seen a boat. It was impossible though – there was nothing there now and no boat can disappear that fast. Something was telling me I should just go home. That it had been too soon for me to come here again. Something else was telling me that I needed to know what had happened. That I should stay and someone was here. I didn't know what to do. Stay or go?

I didn't move and was surprised when I felt an icy wave splash against my legs. The tide was coming in. That should have been enough to make me move but I couldn't. I don't know why. I just let the waves lap against me, slowly rising higher and breaking behind me. I heard a noise and then two voices. They both sounded in front of me, but I was still alone.

The sun was starting to set, leaving the cove in darkness and making the sea shimmer. It looked almost welcoming, but as another wave hit me I remembered it was freezing and I should be going home. I managed to turn my gaze away and looked back at the slope. I gasped as a wave suddenly splashed right over me. It was then that something strange happened.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To thomasturren and dracomione12

Thanks for the reviews!

Please keep reading and reviewing! :)