Collection of Short Stories

Broken, Shattered, and Turned to Dust

Laughter erupts from the drunken party, and a hand throws me. For a second, I am able to feel a new meaning to life. It's short-lived as a rock comes between me and the soft sand. My base shatters against it, and I'm left in pieces on the dark beach. My neck buried in the sand, my base rigid and sharp in the air, and my remnants glisten in the light of the moon.

As the sun rises a couple of hours later from my accident, new people begin to arrive at the water's edge. There are families with kids, young couples, and a group of teenagers out for a swim. There are already so many people. Just then, I notice a young boy running along the beach. I'm enchanted by his smile. He's enjoying himself, enjoying life. I wish I could be as happy as he is. I'm so focused on watching what he's doing that I don't realize he's getting closer. He needs to slow down. He's getting too close. The boy's feet kick sand behind him as he picks up speed. Faster and faster. Closer and closer. Fifty feet away. Forty feet. Thirty... Twenty... Ten... Then he jumps. A graceful leap through the air above me. He's okay. The boy is safe.

I'm so relieved, I don't notice when he steps backward. I break under the pressure. He lets out a loud cry, immediately falling to the ground clutching his foot. There's blood everywhere, and it's my fault. I am the reason this poor boy is injured. His parents rush over, the mother's face is pale in shock. The boy is still crying, and they pick him up, taking him towards the cars.

There's hardly any part of me that is left together. All of the broken parts remain in that sand. No matter what I do, someone will get hurt again. The only thing I can think about is the boy. The only people I have to blame are the ones that left me here and myself. I am responsible.

The waves crash against the surface and begin to pick up what little I have left. They carry me closer, and I let them. This is what's best. I need to leave. Eventually, I'm floating out to sea, and when the waves engulf me, I sink.

Now sitting at the bottom of the ocean, I'm out of reach of hurting anyone. It's different seeing fish instead of birds. It's peaceful, too. With time, the sand will erase me. There will be nothing left, and absolutely no chance of anyone coming to harm because of me. Knowing that, I lay there. This is the end. This is my end. Broken, shattered, and turned to dust.