“Lexi! Lexi!”

My heart beat like a warrior drum. Sprinting through the sand. Like a runner in a race.

“Lexi! Lexi, where are you?”

The sun sank in the sky; the ocean’s roar grew.
The waves licking my toes as my tears rained from my face.

I would not give up. Never.

“Lexi!! Can you hear me?”

Footprints. I followed. But, they led into the ocean.
Sobs. I collapsed.

“No, no, no, NO!”

Pounding steps behind me.
“Lauren, Lauren, it’s okay. It’s okay.”
“I won’t give up! She’s here somewhere. Lexi!”

Sigh. “Lauren. Calm down. It’s okay. She’s gone.”
“No, you’re lying, you don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Then, her favorite bird, a seagull flew in, hovered above us and left. Then, I knew, Lexi was gone.

I sobbed.
“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

It really wasn’t, but we pretented it was as we walked back.

Without her.