This was to be their last night in California. This day was long in coming, anticipated in dread.

It had taken three years to wrap up the business odds and ends, get the furniture moved, and all the files and books packed up.

Earlier in the day, they had packed off the last of the computers and routers, knowing that the equipment would travel faster than their own flight east later that night.

This was a sad night for the two of them. She was nervous and a little unsure if this was the right thing. He avoided eye contact, watching the flame flicker and snap.

She pulled her fingers through the sand, a three pronged rake. “I knew this would come, but I will miss the salty smell,” she said and turned her face into the wind. He reached over and held her hand silently trying to give comfort and a little reassurance.

Neither of them noticed the shadow behind them watching.