Waiting For Dawn

Rocking back on her heels Kate turned her pallid face up to the heavens and stared into the inky blackness that was the night sky. The shy face of the moon peered out from between the fluffy clouds, barely visible in the darkness that seemed to cover all. Hugging herself Kate began to shiver. She only hoped it wouldn’t get colder. Now, to wait for dawn and the turning of the tide.

The day had begun like most other Saturdays. Kicking around her bedroom most of the morning Kate had only emerged to hear her parents shouting up to her that they were going into the city and wouldn’t be back until sometime in the early hours of the following morning. As the morning turned to afternoon the slender girl slipped down to the beach. Wandering across the sand she made her way to the cove on the far side of the bay; her special place. There she laid out the beach towel she had brought with her and settled down to enjoy the day. Lying gazing into the clear azure sky Kate let the sun’s rays wash over her. Warm and comfortable on the soft sand, so gradually and slowly she didn’t notice it, sleep crept over her.

Kate woke with a start, hours later, sat up and looked in shock around her. The sea, once so far away, now lapped gently only metres away from her feet and in the west the sun was disappearing below the horizon, casting its orange glow onto all, a final goodbye before a night of darkness. With a jump Kate stood up and took a couple of large steps to the sea’s edge. Her footprints from earlier were long gone, washed away by the constant caress of the sea. Following the water along towards her house Kate flinched as she realised she was trapped. The only path home was metres under water. Stepping apprehensively into the cold waters she shuffled forward a few steps but already she could feel the tug of the current and she knew if she attempted to swim she would be dragged off course and she had no chance of survival if that was to happen. Picking up her towel Kate moved up the beach and sat down; all she could do was wait.

As she waited for the sun to rise Kate lay back, her icy blue eyes scanning the cliffs around her. It was eerily silent; for once even the gulls were quiet, save the occasional call. The only sound was the rhythmic roar of the sea as it threw itself against the rocks only to fall back as millions of tiny droplets to join the masses. Occasionally she heard the distant echo of a laugh or rumble of a car from the road only minutes away but completely inaccessible. Absently she wondered if her parents were back yet and if they had missed her. Chances were they would probably go straight to bed without even looking into her room. If only she had brought her mobile but it was still lying on her bedside table where she had placed it the night before.

Fatigue and the dancing of the moon off the water played with her eyes. She caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye only to turn and see nothing. Drawing her feet up under her Kate tried not to think of the stories of ghosts and spirits that her aunt had told her. When I was younger there was a girl called Mary, she had told Kate as she gazed out over the beach. Mary often walked on the beach but one day she left and never came home. Some say she was swept out to sea or fell from the cliff top, others think she was abducted while she walked. Who knows? In the years that followed, however, there were reports of a body seen in the water, but when the coast-guards looked no one was there. Some saw a girl standing on the cliff edge but when they looked again there was nobody there.

Drawing her knees up to her chin Kate’s eyes darted here and there, afraid to see what might be hiding out of her sightline. Previously it had been bearably cold but now the wind bit around her ankles, sending spasms of shivers through her body. She started as a noise broke the silence but it was merely a bird taking off. Watching as it soared into the sky she found her eyes drawn to the cliff top. Fell from the cliff top… What was that? A tall object swayed high above her. Frozen with fear she could only stare until the moon revealed that in fact it was only a bush. Shuddering Kate returned her gaze to the sea as it tossed and turned violently, the moon’s rays flitting across its surface. On the surface a white shape could just be made out, bobbing up and down slightly as the tide carried it, could it be a head? But no, the familiar sight of a plastic bag made itself clear. She had to stop her mind playing tricks on her, Kate thought biting her lip.

The hours faded away as Kate sat hugging her knees, rocking back and forward, humming to block out the silence that hung around her. Finally she noticed the tide seemed to be receding and there was a faint pink tinge to the horizon. Smiling with relief Kate pulled herself up onto stiff legs and wandered down to the water’s edge. At last morning had come. Padding across the damp sand Kate tiptoed up the steps and opened the patio door. Sighing as the warmth enclosed her Kate made her way up to her room and her bed. Pausing at the window she looked over to the cove where she had spent that long night. A small frown creased her brow. Was that a girl standing there? Blinking Kate shook her head before looking back again. No… There was nobody there. Turning away she shrugged.