Another endless day begins. As always, I gaze at the breathtaking view, bored after all these years.The gentle dusting of sand ripples over me, a wake up call filtering through the sky. I listen to the howl of the wind as it crawls through the distant trees. I stare up, as the crescendo of light forces its way through the clouds, comforted by the moist sand that keeps me safe and free. The shimmering sun glitters down on the enchanted waters; rippling magic through the breeze. But this day feels different.
All of a sudden thunder clouds start to clutter the sky and the boats which were once at peace are suddenly manipulated by the sea as the beast of war has awakened. The attack of boats descends on the beach, scattering soldiers who dive and jump for safety. Bullets fire through the air as I am kicked and stamped on. I struggle through the Pain. Panic. Petrified is the word that describes how I feel. Screams and weeping, the blood and guts are all too much. Then, all of a sudden the sea turns red; no more murky green or deep blue, just red. The sickening smell of death is travelled through the air. Bodies lie everywhere around me and I can’t escape, there is no sight of yellow, blue or green but red, black and the occasional grey are left in its place. It is as if the world is coming to an end. At the very least, my world is almost extinct.
People run for shelter, trying to escape the nightmare. They can’t. They are trapped just like me, but the worst part is I can’t and never will be saved. As the time slows down, I think of how great my life has been and now I’m okay to stop and be at peace, as the world should be. As time speeds up again I’m kicked right into the water and within seconds that was it. I guess we will never know if the war ended. How did the war end? Was there even any point? For so many lives washed away in the air or sea of blood, or to just lay there and die looking up at the sky down to the very last soldier who had been at peace.
I’m ready to be at peace. I may only be a pebble on a beach that I once called home, but I will remember the memories of this place – how it’s made me feel free and wild. I now know the real meaning of being free and wild, the last of my memories washed away as one last look at the destroyed beach and I was off.As I sink to the bottom of the ocean, I wait for the day when I am washed ashore, on to a new home. The great unknown awaits. I will just have to wait and see where my new life takes me.
Alexandra is a junior account manager, who also has her own small business called Petals and Pearls. She has a creative mindset and has a passion for dance.
