Sound Effect: The Ocean
I've always loved the sound of the ocean waves. As I walk along the beach during the fine summer morning with my bare feet sinking into the sand, I relax from the way the ocean creeps up to me just a few feet away, and then retracts itself, as if a huge, gentle creature is breathing in and out slowly.
The beach is quiet. I can glimpse a few dots representing a family in the distance, but hardly anybody else is wandering around. This is the best time to be here. I can walk for as long as I want to, where no-one can judge me or see into my thoughts. I am alone with the waves, and it is the best feeling in the world. I am wearing a loose, snow-white dress that trails delicately around my knees. It makes me feel free and comfortable with my bare skin bathing in the sunlight and the gentle breeze finding its way under the fabric to cool my body down.
It's as if nothing can interrupt me. It is far too peaceful a place to be disturbed.
This is why I always look forward to summer. I am lucky to live so close to the beach so I can revel in its wonderful atmosphere when the time comes. Mum is always busy with work while Dad is away from home half the time, so I often have time to myself. And this is the best way to spend it.
I take a moment to stop in my steps and turn to the horizon, watching the sunlight dance on the rippling ocean water and the tide wander to my feet like a small curious child. It is so calming to behold that I can't take my gaze away from it.
But then, something interrupts the scene. I notice a large, dark shape moving steadily across the water. It is slightly submerged, but the long shape of it is easily visible. I watch as it comes towards me, and my muscles suddenly tighten in fear as I think it may be a shark, but I can now see that it has a distinct outline of... a person? This is somewhat more unnerving than a shark. Are they diving? They can't be; no-one would dive in water this shallow.
As it comes ever closer to me, I see that the figure is lying on its front as it floats miserably in the sea: it is a man, his dark hair sticking to his face, with thick baggy clothing covering every inch of his skin.
I am undoubtedly disturbed at the sight of this body, for I don't know what I will do if it turns out to be someone dead. And as the man quietly sinks to the very shallowest part of the tide, his body slumping against the pebbles, he rolls limply onto his back to reveal his face. I step back, not wanting to touch him. I begin to take notice of him: his hair is dark with a slight tinge of red in it, and his eyes are slightly open, but there is no life in that pearly green colour.
His features, his face, his uniform... they're all so familiar to me. And then I put my hands to my head and scream out loud. "No! N-noooo!" I sob, my entire body shaking as I collapse against the sand, now feeling like rock against my skin.
My brother is a soldier, fighting for peace in a neighbouring country. I am always afraid for him, hoping he will return home safely. Now I see that he has returned home safely, but not in the way I wished him to.
"No, no, no, no..."
My head is in my hands; I can't bear to look at his lifeless face for one more second. The grains of sand beneath my knees seem to scratch and claw mercilessly at my skin. I curse them. I curse everything in this place. Why does my brother have to be dead? Here? It's like the ocean delivered him to me.
I realise that my mournful wailing has attracted the attention of passers-by, as I hear people running towards me shouting things like:
"Sweetheart, move away, please!"
"Oh my god, what's happened!"
"Is that a dead body?"
"Someone has to call an ambulance!"
Ignoring all their words, I let out a painful, angry scream and flee, my dress billowing out behind me. I just have to get away. I'm never coming back here again, not to this wretched place. How dare it betray me like this?
As I said, I've always loved ocean waves. They're always so calm, peaceful and wondrous. But now all I will see is my dead brother lying on top of them.
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