Rejection of the Nordsee

Kagoatweed's Rant: R&R, and be inspired! But please don't steal ideas!

It had been such a long time since the last time I went swimming. I had put my toes in the water a few times, but I was afraid to go farther because last time I swam in that ocean, I almost drowned. The beach was my safe retreat, a place to play with no fear for your life, but after so long in the sand, the water was looking more and more enticing.

I walked over to where the water lapped on the shore. It was high tide, the sand went from perfectly dry to soaked through with nothing indecisive in between. The water touched my toes, cool, almost begging to take the layer of sand from my hands and legs.

I stepped in. I waded cautiously until the water was up to my bust and I was almost floating. I took one more step and my toes left the ground beneath me. I was swimming once again.

The water was holding me, protecting me. I had to kick my legs to stay afloat, but that was normal. I swam there for what seemed like forever, even though it was really only a few minutes or so.

Then, from underneath me, the water pulsed, pulled at my feet. Before I could take a good breath, I was under. The current kicked me around, and bubbles were streaming from my mouth as I screamed.

Realization that I was upside down, my feet far above my head made me start to flail hopelessly. The little air left in my lungs tried desperately to return me to the surface, but my struggles made that an impossibility. As my spasming used the last of my air, my eyes popped open. The salt water stung my eyes, but in the distance I managed to make out someone's form. I reached out, straining for my fingers to reach that other being – maybe we could save each other.

My world began to blur. I knew that in a few more seconds, I would pass out, and my body would resume normal breathing, filling my lungs with seawater, maybe a few small fish if I was lucky. My luck decided to spare me the fish, and instead grant me air. I broke the surface and sweet cold oxygen filled my sore lungs. Then I remembered – the other person! Still fighting the current swirling around just beneath me, I turned in little circles, scanning the water and the beach for a person. I was praying that whatever I would find would still have life in its form.

Then I head a giggle. I managed to spin around fast enough to find the source without letting my head bob under the water. Out in the deeper water, I could see her.

Small and petite, a feminine little form, she floated easily in the water. If the ocean wanted to, it could sweep her away, but it didn't. As I treaded the water, my arms sore and my legs cramping from the earlier battle, she was swimming with ease, spared by the sea. She swam in graceful strokes, speeding through water that did everything it its ability to help her.

So distracted was I that I didn't even realize when I was pushed into water so shallow that I was sitting on the sandy shore. Little waves were licking at my fingers, kindly telling me to get the hell out.

With I sigh of envy for the girl on the horizon, whom had no fear of the sea, I stood and returned to my sandy world. I settled into a dune, letting my breath return to normal, my heart stop racing. I rubbed my sore muscles and looked out to the sea. I could just barely make out the small shadow that bobbed on the jeweled horizon.

The ocean murmured to me, assured me that I could stay there, close, on the golden shore, but that the waters were reserved for a special few. I was not one of these special few.

I sighed again, the pain leaking from me, the sand sticking to me, telling me I was home. I watched the sea until the sun set, droplets of salt water dripping down my face, though the rest of me was dry.

It was a mistake to have gone swimming. I thought. I forgot just how brutal that sea can be.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed when she arrived and put her hand over mine.