A scabby patch of grey rocks sat a jog away from the mess of the dune. None were higher than a dining table. I hopped up the highest. It gave me a decent vantage point over the beach, and the sea of marks carved into the sand.
Some divots ran in trenches all the way to the ocean. Others were thin trails, like a hand scratched with gentle fingers. I looked for anything resembling paw marks. A few circles were close enough to make me breathe in.
The beach was the colour of old mud. So far away from my glistening summer album. The centerfold spread, where the Butter Mouse peeked from the top of a deckchair, and two crabs danced on paper forever.
After a while I tricked myself into spotting cohesion. This must have been an illusion, but it looked like whatever caused the marks had spun around in a circle. As if something in this wide expanse had been trapped inside the small area beyond the dune.
No cage lay on the shingle. Nothing but a few orange peels peeked from the grot in a trail of thick dimpled rind.
I called out then. Called out to whatever is there. My cry was loud enough to make a seagull take to the air.
Nothing responded. Perhaps something moved on the furthest part of the blue horizon. A few more birds soared overhead. The air loses that seaweed smell, and turned to something infused with citrus.
I shouted hard enough to scorch my throat. My words demanded something appeared. Speaks to me. There was another flicker far away. But not enough. I threw handfuls of sand in the air with frustration.
What if this is all in my head, and
Burgstal Gat is a hidden gem of a beach. One for a summer day. Good for the family, and quiet enough for a dog walk too. A shame about the litter, Please make sure you take your rubbish home.
::It was more than that on the horizon Barbara. A clear shape under the water. Moving like the corn moved a few weeks ago. A few times this shadow broke the skin of the water. The texture of what emerged was like a big lump of jelly. The colour of a grin come to life.
Did my words bring it to the surface?
Check out the photo if you don’t believe me. I know it looks different, but I am sure this is the same one as on land.
Archie did not pick up the phone. Or maybe he did. I think someone spoke as I hung up the second time. I only allowed three rings.
What do I do?
I think I have to address this myself.::
