Stone Cold

Chasing the sun

I sit staring at the sun, watching it melt into the ocean.

The waves lap at my feet, sending tingles through my body.

My vision is overtaken as suns red light bleeds into the water, swallowing it whole.

Heaving a deep breathe, I tip my head back, savouring the last few days of summer.

"Polly!"

I can hear the shout bouncing around the cliffs, only just audible over the crashing of the waves against the rocks.

Ignoring the calls, I watch a crab scuttling towards the ocean, it's small legs move nimbly beneath it.

I hear my sisters irritated voice again, but closer.

The crab has reached the ocean, chucking up wet sand as it weaves round some seaweed.

"Polly stop ignoring me"

Finally, I stand up, brushing the sand off my skirt and face my sister.

"What do you want Eileen" I mutter, refusing to look her in the eye.

"Marietta wants us back at the house" she says glumly.

I sigh, rolling my eyes, "of course she does"

Eileen gives me a long look, ignoring it, I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

"Can't you at least try and get along with her" she pleads, giving me her best kicked puppy look.

I shrug, and Eileen's face falls.

"Please Polly, She is one of the last foster parents that will take us!"

I stare into her soft brown eyes, my sister doesn't deserve this.

With a resigned sigh, I nod, "I'll try, for you Eileen"

My younger sister gives a happy squeal and starts skipping up the path, back to the house.

Stealing one last look at the sunset, I stop, looking out at the glistening water.

I close my eyes, savouring everything.

"Come on!" Eileen chirps, already halfway up the path.

With a frustrated groan, I follow her.

Eileen had long before gone inside by the time I stopped outside the white washed door.

The curtains twitched, and I stuck my middle finger up at the retreating form in the window.

Seconds later, the door bangs open and Marietta is standing at the door, holding her evil cat.

"Polly sweetheart!" She cries out, dropping the cat and enveloping me in a hug.

I make a point of not hugging her back.

When she finally releases me, I match the cats scowl and walk inside.

Eileen was already in a ball on the sofa, watching the television intently.

"Careful, if the wind changes you'll get stuck like that" I call at her from the stairs.

She sticks her tongue out playfully before glueing her eyes back to the annoying program she was watching.

I raise my eyebrows at her dismissal before going into the kitchen, sitting down at the island and taking a bite out of an apple.

Marietta comes toddling into the kitchen, "What do you want for dinner sweets"

I wince at the sour taste of the apple, and her stupid nicknames.