Tide of Dreams

The long stretch of sand shone silver in the moonlight. Waves lapped gently.
The watcher, alone with her thoughts, closed her eyes, absorbing sounds of the night into her soul. In her heightened state of awareness, she heard the cry of a lone seabird. Maybe he too was seeking solitude for a while, wishing to fly free in the moonlight.
The woman raised her arms to the stars. At one with nature, she hummed a tuneless song as she strolled, unafraid, along the deserted beach. Clad in nothing but a diaphanous white nightgown, the fabric clung to the curves of her body like a gentle caress. A breeze disturbed her long blonde hair when down at the water’s edge she allowed the waves to wash over her feet and trickle gently through her fingers, washing them clean. Turning her back to the ocean she continued her walk along the sand.


Sarah stretched slim arms above her head before opening her eyes. She had always relished that state between sleeping and wakefulness allowing herself a few more minutes before starting the day. Knowing the morning sun would have found its way through the space in the drapes, where they didn’t quite meet, she delayed the first glare of brightness into her eyes.
The sound of the garbage truck further up street made her wonder if Mike put the bins out last night. So far they’d rarely remembered collection day since they’d moved into their house last month. Then she remembered she’d reminded him to do it before they went to bed.
Sarah thought about the recent move from their city apartment to the coast. It had been a big decision, but they’d taken the plunge and bought this house close to the beach. Mike being offered the job as principal of the local school had been the deciding factor and she was definitely sleeping better. Her doctor had agreed a change of scenery could be beneficial.
She opened her eyes. The light poured in through that gap in the drapes and she gazed around the bedroom walls at the garish, patterned wallpaper. She decided today was the day she would begin to remove it. What on earth possessed the previous owners to select it? It’s enough to give anyone nightmares.
She rolled over in the kingsize bed, closing the space between her and her husband. His broad back was bare; he always preferred sleeping naked. Sarah kissed his shoulder, ‘Time to get up, sleepyhead.’
Mike didn’t stir.
‘I had the weirdest dream last night, honey.’ She turned on to her back and stared at the ceiling while she attempted to recall the details. She frowned when she realised there was sand on her feet and throughout the sheets. When she placed her feet onto the rug she saw sandy footprints on the wooden floor, leading from the kitchen.
‘Mike, wake up!’ Sarah leaned over and nudged her sleeping husband. She screamed, when she saw the meat skewers protruding from his eyes.