Sandcastle
She sits on the beach. Seagulls caw as they swoop over the lapping waves, snatching clams and dropping them on the nearby rocks. The ocean roars and floods the beach, then rattles the coarse sand and scattered pebbles as the wave rolls away. The salty breeze plays with her hair and stings her eyes. The sun kisses her cheeks, but she feels no warmth.
A child has abandoned a sandcastle and the rising tide caresses the bucket-shaped tower, nibbling morsels off with each ebb and flood. The wind blows cool and a dark cloud creeps across the sky.
She watches the sandcastle crumbling with every wave. The icy water now strokes her naked toes. The gusting wind tumbles the rasping sand; it sticks to her shivering skin, but she feels no cold.
The wind howls and thunder rumbles as the dark cloud slithers across the sun. Shadows form on the water, and the sandcastle vanishes into the roaring ocean. Even the cawing seagulls have vanished, seeking shelter from the raging wind.
“Everyone vanishes,” she whispers, and fat tears roll down her cheeks.
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