In another life

Chapter 1

A cold yet refreshing wave instantly hits me, waking me up. I gasp as I push myself up to see the ocean. It's foggy and the water is dull, I look down at my hands to find millions of grains of sand stuck in them. I jump up and wipe them on my trousers.

Where am I?

I frantically look around in search for answer but no ones here. I pull a strand of curly, brunette hair and push it back. This isn't me. My hands search my body, trying to become familiar of what I'm feeling but nothing.

Sand is flung up into the air as some sort of creature bolts past me. I screech and fall down, ushering myself further into the sand. A man comes running up to me, he's got blonde hair with curtains only just revealing his beautiful blue eyes, they're brighter than the ocean.

He pushes his hand to mine and pulls me up, "forgive me! Rex loves the beach" he chuckles to himself, my eyes still scanning for recognition. He walks towards me and places his hand on my jaw. "Do I know you?" he asks, his eyes furrowed. I push his hand off me and rapidly shake my head.

I take a step back and he's still looking at me, "Maya, right? Remember me, Marcus?" he smiles, clicking his finger. I rub the goosebumps on my arm, "no. I'm Nova" I mutter, looking at the sandy trainers that are on my feet.

He throws in an awkward, small laugh. "Sorry, you look just like someone I know. Nova's a cool name, what does it mean?" He asks as he adjusts his standing position. Rex comes running up to my feet and I gasp as I launch towards Marcus. His fingers grip into my skin causing me to yelp.

I cling onto him as Rex lays on his stomach with a stick in front of him, looking at me then back at the stick. "It's okay, Nova. He won't hurt you, he just wants to play!" Marcus exclaims as he lowers me to the floor.

"P-play what?" I stutter, biting my finger nails. He gives me a genuine smile before picking up Rex's stick and passing it to me. I grip onto the muddy branch which has one leaf on, fragile and hanging on.

"Throw it" he insists as he nods his head towards the ocean. I furrow my eyebrows before looking back at Rex then throwing it as far as I can to the sea. The dog rushes towards the toy, digs his teeth into it and hurries back.

I let out a laugh and a big smile from ear-to-ear. Marcus looks at me and smiles as Rex drops the stick at my feet. "We were just going to go have some lunch. Do you want to come with?" he asks.

I immediately nod my head, not only because I want to spend time with him but I need to know why I'm here, who this Maya girl is and how to get back.