stella&dot. wrote:
x
Devlin xx Lufi
Point Lookout? Just an ordinary beach, nothing special. Not anywhere where you'd think disaster would strike.
Think again.
Devlin leaned over the counter of the icecream parlor, his bored eyes looking over the empty beach, half expecting a tumbleweed to roll by. He knew tourists would start filling in soon, so he flipped over the 'closed' sign so it read 'open' in bright, flowery letters. Shaking the sand out of his shoes, he leaned back against the wall, wondering how much longer he'd have to keep up with this until his duty was fulfilled. Nothing happened here, nothing that he could change. He yawned, glancing at his watch. Seven-thirty in the morning with hours to go until the next shift. A couple of families strolled in, so Devlin perked up with a smile and welcomed them to the beach, offering ice cream as a complimentary treat for getting to the beach first.
The same routine happened again and again, everyone always wanting the same flavors; vanilla, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, or strawberry.
As a mother of two came up to the counter to pay, Devlin shook his head and grinned, "On the house, ma'am."
Clouds rolled in, making Devlin predict that not many people would come today. The waves were getting bigger, nearly seven foot now, crashing on the shore and making the families' kids squeal and laugh.
Soon enough, a girl a little younger than Devlin walked past the parlor. She had wind-blown brown hair and she looked especially hawaiian in New York.
The ice cram parlor catching her eye, the girl walked up to the counter and ordered key lime, something Devlin never thought a customer would order around here.
He punched some numbers into the cash register, and without meeting her eyes he said, "Seven dollars and fifty cents."
When she didn't respond, Devlin looked up at her and saw her mouth open in disbelief.
"Seven bucks," she scoffed, her eyes flickering from the ice cream to Devlin. "You seriously want seven bucks for one scoop of ice cream?"
Devlin shrugged, concluding, "It's not my decision."
The girl's eyes rolled as she tapped the cone and snapped, "Keep your ice cream, then."
She pivoted on her foot and headed for the waves, surfboard in one hand. Devlin wasn't sure about her surfing today. "I think it's gonna storm," He called after her, but as predicted she ignored him and went out into the blankets of the sea.
He watched her, just to make sure the waves weren't too big or rough. The girl seemed fine, paddling out even further that what would be comfortable to Devlin. The waves were at least ten footers, now, and the children were safely making sand castles away from the water.
The girl swiftly got up on her surfboard, curving in and out of the waves. Devlin bit his lip, but despite his worries she was a great surfer.
Suddenly, the wave crashed a little soon. Devlin rushed out in front the counter, squinting at the water. A surfboard popped up, but the girl was out of sight. A couple people on the beach were murmuring to each other, but he still saw nothing come up from the water.
Devlin sprinted across the beach. His sandals ended up kicked off, and the sand was cold and wet. He stopped abruptly, scanning the blue-grey ocean. Seeing nothing, Devlin's adrenaline rushed through his body as he dived in, freezing cold water smacking him enough to make him want to curl up beside the sun.
He opened his eyes, salt water stinging them so much he had to blink back tears. As he came desperately up for air, a wave crashed on him, sending Devlin spiraling back towards the shore with a mouthful of sea water. He dove back in, finally seeing brown hair get whipped around from the tide. His arms sliced through the ice-cold water, and he finally got a hold of the girl just as another wave crashed down on them.
Devlin was losing consciousness in this earth-bound body, he could tell. With enough effort and struggling, he finally dragged the girl to shore and laid her head in his lap, searching for signs of life. He nearly jumped when the girl's body jerked, leaving her coughing up salt water and gasping for air. Her eyelids fluttered, and Devlin brushed the hair in her face aside. She coughed again, taking in deep breaths and looking up at him.
"Who are you?"
Her voice was raspy and thin, and he could tell that talking was maker her weaker.
"Devlin," he whispered. "My name is Devlin, and you're safe now."
The girl coughed again, and it was a long moment before she asked, "Did you get my surfboard?"
But by that time, Devlin was gone. He had fulfilled his duty on earth.