poseidon

[o n e]

imagine waking up on a rock. not in your bed, making that comfortable, protective ball of exhaustion and relaxation. when she wakes up, the breeze of the ocean whips her hair back, and the smell of salt makes her crinkle her nose.

normally when people wake up in statuses such as this, they get up right away and start panicking. charlie was panicking-only silently on the inside. but her breathing didnt change, and neither did she move.

she laid there, staring at the cold blue waves from close to her and to afar. her hazel eyes were focused on the satisfying ripples,which looked as if she could lay in it as if it were her bed.

but realization hit her quickly-yet, she still didnt move. memories didnt flood back to her, all she remembered as hitting the cold water during a violent storm.

she knew that she couldnt have magically washed up on this rock-for she knew the waters very well. her whole teenage life was spent comparing storms and learning about the sea life. she wanted to become a coast guard-save lives from the ocean and protect her nation from its enemies.

but charlie knew that for the past twenty miles where her boat was wrecked, there were no large rocks above water. since she thought she fell unconscious from maybe bumping her head, she was probably out for twenty four hours or so. if so, why was the sky so clear and lonely? there were no birds, nor any clouds.

but perhaps that didnt matter anymore-perhaps she should feel lucky that she is safe. charlie was no longer in the hands of the viscous sea-instead stranded in the middle of it, on a rock.

she had no compass or any type of object that could help her locate where she was.

charlie finally decided to sit up-picking her head softly from the rock. feeling a sharp pain on the side of her head, she brought her hand up to touch. she felt a soggy, wet, substance. seaweed.

this didnt happen all by itself, charlie thought, pulling the seaweed away from her head. someone mustve rescued me.

she brought her hand up to her head again, feeling the warm, maroon, blood falling into her fingers. she winced, shaking her head.

she was still wearing the same clothes she wore from the boat she came from- a simple white thermal and overalls. but her shoes, were gone. she was barefoot, and if it weren't for the arms that caught her, she would've slipped from the slippery rock.

the world spun, and charlie felt nauseous. the strong arms that helped her pushed her back to her feet. charlie closed her eyes shut, breathing slowly-and counting the seconds.

this is who saved your life, she thought, don't hide. and don't throw up on him.

charlie listened to her thoughts, but didn't open her eyes.

sighing, she said, "i-I'm sorry."

the man chuckled, and it sort of caught her off guard. it boomed loudly, like it would echo and bounce of the sky if it could.

"you shouldn't be sorry," he said softly. "you are dizzy is all, i just caught you so you didn't almost drown- again."

charlie pulled her hands away from her face, looking up at him. he was, definitely tall, that it was no wonder his laugh was so loud. she took a step back, still feeling slight nausea. his chiseled face looked like it was carved by an artist, an artist that knew the effect it might have on people.