I dug my toes into the soft white sand, walked around the beach and watched the red mellowing sun. Then I saw a lady whose face was covered with sadness. It was Lisa, my best friend, my first love and still my life’s passion. I wanted to touch her, comfort her and wipe away her tears. But I could not do anything. I just watched her cry. She was shivering from having been in the cold ocean water.

At that moment, the alarming siren of an ambulance pierced the air. I saw someone lying besides Lisa come into focus. I came closer still to see who it was. I was shocked when I realized it was my own body lying on the white sand. Sad tears streaked her face as she explained to the ambulance staff how I had saved her from drowning. The medics took my body away and covered it with white linen cloth.

"If I only had known death was so close. I would have made you the happiest woman on Earth," I whispered. But it was already the end of our memories together; like a sunset that has gone to rest down on the beach.

Rachel Bestre [Baguio City, Philippines] is a fourth year college student. She loves writing and reading.

© 2009 Rachel Bestre. Original for CCF. Bestre grants CCF first electronic rights for one month. CCF may archive the material indefinitely and include it in an eBook anthology.