Serpentine

1 - ocean haze

    Rosalind was sat by the window of an old, weathered bus, the gentle hum if its engine providing a smoothing background to the soft melodies streaming through her headphones. She leaned her head against the cool glass, her breath creating a small, fleeting fog as he peered outside. The familiar landscapes of her childhood town, Outer Banks, unfolded before her, bathed in the soft hues of a setting sun.
As the bus rumbled along the winding coastal road, Rosalind couldn't help but lose herself in the beauty of the place. The ocean stretched endlessly to the horizon, its waves gently kissing the shore. The salty breeze that entered through the half-opened windows at the front of the bus carried memories of childhood, of carefree days spent exploring the hidden coves and watching the seagulls dance in the sky.
Outer Banks was more than just a town to her, it was a canvas of nature's grandeur. The dense woods whispered secrets of ages past, and the swaying reeds along the marshland seemed to beckon her into their embrace. There was a sense of tranquility in the air, an escape from the cacophony of city life.
As the bus neared its destination, Rosalind's heart was filled with a mixture of nostalgia and anticipation. She was returning to a place that had shaped her, a place where every corner held a memory, a smile, or a tear. Outer Banks was a sanctuary of natural beauty in which she hoped to rediscover the lost pieces of herself.

The bus came to a gradual halt, and Rosalind, lost in her thoughts, slowly removed her headphones. As she stepped off the bus, her shoes crunched on a gravelly path, leading her away from the simple Outer Banks bus station. The surroundings were wild, untamed, and every bit as enigmatic as the ocean that lay in the distance.
The fresh breeze, carrying the essence of the sea, was laced with the scent of wildflowers and the earthy undertones of the coastal flora. The scent was neither comforting nor overwhelming, but rather a curious mix of nature's many facets.
Rosalind felt a sense of both belonging and alienation. The town's structures were less like quaint cottages and more like architectural puzzles, where time had sculpted each building into a unique masterpiece. There was no place for sameness in this town, or at least in this side of the island.
Narrow pathways meandered through dense thickets, and local shops hid behind overgrown vines and trellises. The people who crossed her path moved with a distinctive grace, a blend of rugged individuality and the kind of tranquility only nature could instill.
As Rosalind ventured deeper into the town's heart, it was as if Outer Banks held its own secrets, waiting for her to unveil them. This was not a place of stereotypical charm, but a realm of untamed beauty and mysteries, where the past and the present intertwined in intricate and unexpected ways.

Rosalind made her way through the labyrinthine streets, following memories more than street signs, until the world around her opened up to reveal the familiar expanse of the beach. It was the place where she had often gone with her parents in the warmer months, where they would build sandcastles, collect seashells, and watch the sunrise together.
The beach, not like the crowded tourist spots, was a sanctuary of solitude. The soft, cool sand embraced her feet as she ventured closer to the water's edge. With each step, the rhythm of the waves grew louder, and the coastal gust carried whispers of the past. It was here that she had felt the warmth of her parents' love, and now, it was here that she sought solace in their absence.
Rosalind set her bags down on the sand, the crinkling of the paper bags echoing against the vast canvas of the coastline. She positioned herself, sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees. The grains of sand clung to her jeans, remnants of countless childhood adventures.
As the first hints of dawn began to paint the sky with hues of pale pink and orange, Rosalind fixed her gaze on the horizon. The sun was a distant promise, its light barely visible behind the ocean's vast expanse. She felt the world come alive around her – the waves whispered melodies, the gulls cried out in greeting, and the world seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
Rosalind was no longer that wide-eyed child, but she was still the keeper of her parents' memories. She watched as the sun slowly revealed itself, casting a golden pathway upon the water, and in that moment, she found herself wrapped in the embrace of both the past and the present, a place where the beauty of the world was infinite.

As the sun continued its slow ascent, casting a warm glow over the horizon, Rosalind's fingers fumbled through the contents of her bags.
After a brief, frantic search, she finally located her phone nestled among a tangle of charging cables and her favourite books. She quickly retrieved it and unlocked the screen to check her messages. The day held the promise of a fresh start, but the weight of her past still lingered.
With a heavy heart, she navigated to a voicemail that had become a lifeline for her in the past few weeks. It was from Ward Cameron, her father's old friend, and the content of the message was etched into her heart.
"Hi Lili, this is Ward Cameron," the voice on the voicemail began, and Rosalind closed her eyes briefly, savoring the familiar warmth of Ward's voice and the ache of hearing her old nickname. "Rose and I just heard about what happened. We're very sorry for your loss; your father was an incredible man."
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she blinked them away as the words continued to wash over her. This voicemail was the reason she had returned to Outer Banks. It held the promise of a chance for her to find solace in a town that was once her haven.
"It might not be the best moment for us to ask," Ward's voice continued, "but we'd like to offer you a place to stay over the summer, you know, until things cool down. Anyways, you're welcome in Outer Banks whenever you want, if you want. Oh, we still live at Tanneyhill on Lowndes Grove, by the way. Ok. Take care of yourself, Lili."
With the voicemail echoing in her ears, Rosalind knew that this offer was her only hope for a semblance of a normal life. It was her aid to sanity in the midst of grief. She listened to the message frequently, finding comfort in Ward's words, a bridge to a new chapter in her life.
The waves danced in front of her, now bathed in the golden light of the rising sun, a visual representation of her newfound hope. The ocean and the offer of shelter in Outer Banks were her beacons, guiding her through the storm.

With the voicemail fresh in her mind, Rosalind finally mustered the courage to dial Ward Cameron's number. Her fingers trembled slightly as she held the phone to her ear, and she couldn't help but feel apprehension.
Ward picked up after a couple of rings, sounding genuinely surprised by her call. "Hello?" he said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Rosalind cleared her throat and replied, "Hi, it's Lili. I, uh... I just wanted to... well, I wanted to talk to you."
Ward's surprise was evident as he responded, "Lili, it's good to hear from you. How have you been holding up?"
She hesitated for a moment, then replied with a forced smile in her voice, "I've been alright, Mr. Cameron. It's just that... I needed to come back to my hometown, you know, where I have some memories."
Ward's tone turned warmer and more reassuring. "Of course, Lili. You're always welcome here. Our offer still stands."
A sense of relief washed over her. "Thank you, Mr.Cameron. I really appreciate it."
He responded eagerly, "You're family, Lili. Come as soon as you can. We'll be here."
As they prepared to hang up, Rosalind whispered, "Thank you," and the connection ended.
For the next ten minutes, Rosalind remained seated on the sand, practicing her smile as if it were a shield to protect her fragile heart. She closed her eyes and lay back, focusing on the soothing sound of the waves, their rhythm like a comforting lullaby. The world was shifting beneath her feet, but for now, she clung to the hope that this summer might bring healing and a sense of belonging.

Rosalind's footsteps led her to the entrance of the Cameron's grand front yard, and she couldn't help but be captivated. The meticulously landscaped gardens were a testament to years of care and attention. Flowering shrubs lined the cobblestone path that meandered towards the stately front door, and the scent of blooming roses lingered in the air.
She paused for a moment to take it all in, the grandeur of the house, and the nostalgia it stirred within her. The home stood as a silent witness to countless summers, where she and her parents had visited, laughed, and shared memories. Now, the Camerons had opened their door to her in this moment of need.
With a deep breath and newfound determination, Rosalind continued her journey up the cobblestone path. As she walked, her thoughts were a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. What would it be like to see Ward and Rose again after so many years? What changes had time brought to the Camerons, and what changes had it brought to her?
Every step brought her closer to the imposing front door. Her heart pounded in her chest as she rehearsed the words she would say, her intentions clear – to start anew.
Finally, she stood before the grand entrance, her finger hovering over the doorbell. The chime, once a symbol of familiar greetings, now held the promise of a calmer life. She pressed it, the sound echoing within the spacious foyer, and waited with bated breath for the door to open.
Moments later, the door creaked open, a young man opened the door, an unbothered look on his face, clearly not recognising her. Which was only fair since she couldn't put a face to a name. After a few awkward seconds, she finally identified him.
« Fuck ».