Surrender

chapter 3

Chapter 3

It was a cold night, with harsh, unrelenting winds sweeping through the air, carrying Sophie to the place that held so many of her favorite memories. She looked over her shoulder at the Mustang she’d parked by the road like an old friend that never left her side. The ocean stretched out in front of her, the sweet sound of waves lapping onto the shore in sheets of white foam beckoned her to come closer. Slipping off her black flats, she pressed her bare feet into the sand, and immediately felt the weight that had been crushing her insides lifted from her. Each feather-like step she took brought her closer to the water and every crashing wave licked at her feet like melting ice. She closed her eyes, her body blocking out the cold as a flood of warm memories washed over her.

            Sammy’s arms wrapped around Sophie’s waist, her head resting underneath his chin, their toes curled in the sand, her hair flying in the wind, and the sun shining on the water.

A desperate and sorrowful moan rose from the bottom of her throat, her entire body aching for his touch, his voice, anything that would let her know that he was here tonight, with her.

She waded into the water, arms outstretched with longing, reaching for something that had slipped out of her fingertips, never to return again. The waves jostled her back and forth, like a dangerous tango, until the tips of her toes couldn’t feel the ocean floor anymore.

            She was floating, being carried away like a piece of driftwood, away from the miserable life that had destroyed every moment of happiness, pushing her further and further toward someplace unknown.

            Crash!

            She sank like a sinking ship, her head stinging from the impact of the wave that pushed her underneath. Her feet kicked wildly as her arms stretched upward, fighting to reach the surface. Finally, she felt the water break across her face, coughing as though her body was trying to expel the fire burning in her lungs. But before she could catch her breath, she was sucked underneath once more. Feet kicking and arms flailing, she thought this was it.

            This was how she was going to die.

            She’d been wanting this for so long, to be reunited with Sammy, but she never thought it would happen like this. She’d promised him that she would live a full life. Would he be mad, knowing the foolish thing she’d done? Was he watching over her right now?

            No, she told herself as she began to lose consciousness, her mind blocking every thought except for this: He would be happy. He would happy that they would be together again. This time, forever.

            She froze, succumbing to the numbing darkness.

            This was it.

            All she had to do was not stop struggling, stop fighting. All she had to do was…let go.

* * *

Christopher Hastings looked down at the flashing screen of his cell phone which informed him that he had yet another missed call from Ivy Clarke. He exhaled deeply and tossed the wretched thing onto the leather couch. Chris had neglected to inform Ivy that he was three thousands miles away from her. For all Ivy knew, Chris was still in L.A. It would be better for the both of them, he had convinced himself when he'd packed a single duffle bag and hopped on a plane to Cape Coral, Florida. His cousin Eric needed a house sitter for a few weeks and Chris needed to escape the blinding LA limelight, not to mention his clingy ex-girlfriend, Ivy, who refused to take a hint.

            Chris walked over to the window and peered down at Cape Coral, a town that was a haven for beachgoers by day and an oasis for artists and musicians by night. The yellow full moon dangled over the ocean like a spotlight. Running a hand through his hair, Chris told himself, "I can't sit like this."