Don't Blink

Don't Blink Prologue

Don't Blink

Lia

The Beginning

I stood on the edge of the cliff. The ocean thrashed at my feet, threatening to climb up the sides and sweep me away. The wind blew through my hair and my open fingertips on my outstretched hands. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, taking in a deep breath of the fresh ocean air.

The wind stopped as I brought my arms down and my head back up. My soft brown hair fell back to my shoulders and brushed them as the strands lay slightly past them. My thick eye lashes fluttered as my light brown eyes opened to the bright sun. I looked to my left and saw a boat pulled up to the small port just 20 yards off from the small beach. A bunch of people were busy loading stuff onto it and checking that they had everything.

I lifted my hands and waved to one man that stood checking everything. He smiled as he saw me and waved back. I smiled and quickly dropped my hands as I dashed off to the port. My white sun hat flew off my head and into the soft grass of our lawn as I passed by our small beach house that stood near the cliff. My white and blue sundress swept at my knees as I ran faster.

I reached the port and ran out onto the dock. I ran past all the others that were packing stuff onto the boat and embraced the man. He was exceptionally taller than me and had soft brown hair and eyes. You could see many years of laugh lines on his face. He smiled at me and ruffled my hair.

"Hey kiddo," He spoke, his voice slightly husky and friendly.

"Hey dad," I said still holding him.

"What do you want me to bring you back this time? I can get you anything you want." He said, motioning towards the ocean, as if to say that he truly meant it.

"Anything's fine dad, I like all the things you get me. They are very exotic." I said, letting him go and smiling at him.

He laughed and ruffled my hair again.

"Well, that's good. I guess it's up to me to decide on something that'll be good for you. Why don't you head up to the house and get some supper. We're going to be busy down here, we hope to leave by sunset," He patted me on the back slightly pushing me back the way I came, "And I hope to see you at the cliff, like usual."

I nodded and ran off, waving to him as I left. I stopped in front of the house to look back at the port. It was surrounded by the beautiful cliffs that dwelled in this place. It was one of the most beautiful things ever, but not many people got to see it. It almost seemed a waste to have a house out here, and to not have many house guests. Of course, it isn't the easiest getting out here. But, getting out here for the summer was the best. I always looked forward to it.

I picked up my hat and walked into the house. The aroma of food hit me as soon as I stepped in. I walked into the kitchen and saw a figure with long dark hair busily working on supper. She turned around when she heard me walk in and smiled. She looked just like my father, but with darker hair, but just as soft eyes and just as many laugh lines.

"Hello!" She exclaimed, her voice had a small, happy, chime to it, though she could speak rather loudly.

"Hello, Aunt Kimiko," I said, happy to see her.

"Suppers almost ready, so hop a squat at the table, and be ready for food," She laughed and continued cooking while humming a soft tune.

She was my father's sister. She always came with me to the beach house every summer. I think she came because my mother couldn't. There's nothing wrong with my parents' relationship or anything, they actually really love each other, but my mom is always busy with work in the city so she doesn't have time to come out here. She always sends him letters or emails though. My Aunt Kimiko is a great cook though, so that's probably another reason. My dad probably invites her so he can get a good meal and see his sister again. They are really close siblings, my father being only 1 year older than her.

My aunt started serving me food and I had to beg her to stop before my plate broke. She always made big servings because she grew up in a big family; she was just so used to it. But surprisingly, she is unmarried and still really skinny. We ate and chatted happily and laughed. It was so fun to be here, and so comfortable. I was used to it, and it almost seemed normal. After 16 years, though, I understand why.

The sun began to set as we washed dishes and my aunt looked at me knowingly.

"I'll finish the dishes; you better hurry so you can catch the boat as it leaves." She took the dish I had in my hands and continued washing.

I smiled at her appreciatively and left for the cliff. I grabbed my sun hat on the way out the door and ran across the yard. I stopped at the end and I saw a boat leaving the port. A man stood at the end of the boat looking up at the cliffs. I waved my hand at him. He waved back and I could almost see the laugh lines fold as my smiled and laughed happily at me. I cupped my hands around my mouth, and it started to form some words.

"DAD," I yelled down to the boat, "I LOVE YOU! SEE YOU NEXT SUMMER!"

"I LOVE YOU TOO HONEY!!!" He yelled back. He started waving again.

I waved as well, and continued until the boat was out of sight. It always ended this way, every summer. Everything was exactly the same. The same words, the same movements, and it always ended with a single boat disappearing into the sunset. The same boat and the same people, nothing changed. But it was always something to look forward to, every summer.