Beneath the Starry Sky

Nightmare

Alina Baraz - Drift 🎵

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I couldn't sleep that night. I was tossing and turning in my bed sheets. I think I was restless about the day's events and was subconsciously fighting with myself. The humidity was heavy in the room. I think we forgot to turn on the AC for the night. Joy was sound asleep and when I checked time on the clock I realized it was two thirty in the morning.

I swung my feet over my bed and thought it was the best time to lay low and just take a midnight walk. I changed into an oversized sweater and grabbed my baseball cap. I slipped out through the door and immediately exhaled the stale air and took in the fresh air.

The resort was calm at this time, I noticed a few stragglers from the bar waddle home but I stayed quiet and introverted.

I thought I could see the beach again. I knew what it looked like during the day but I was curious about what it could look like at night. I was in no way expecting the night view to be any less breathtaking than the day. Cuba was just too beautiful. And I was right, the sky was dark but I could see the stars again, clear as day.

I found a spot at the shore and claimed a forgotten beach chair. I closed my eyes.

This was when it got weird.

My eyes fluttered open at the sound of a woman's muffled screaming. In the distance a shadowed figure splashed about in the waves. I had squint to my eyes because the lack of light gave me little to work with.

"Hey! Do you need help?" I paced about the shore unable to decide what to do with my body.

Should I hop in? I can't even swim that well! Maybe I'm just hallucinating; it is three in the morning!

Whatever it was splashed around and a waving hand solidified my assumption. It is a person! I'm going in!

"Stay calm! I'm coming!" My voice was squeaky and unconfident. My resolve, however, was strong. I peeled my sweater off and swung my cap to the ground.

Then I rushed in, running in from the sand. I figured gaining momentum on land would help propel me forward. Amidst the crashing waves, the breeze that was merely a soft caress against my skin earlier now felt harsh as the cold water whipped my skin.

I was pushed around and knocked over by the water. I don't know what I was thinking. As I reached forward, I felt something skim my hand. I quickly grabbed it and locked on tight. It felt like someone's wrist. I pulled and pulled and I didn't care as long as I reached the shore.

When I did, I examined the body.

My heart was still beating. Adrenaline was still in command of my body, I knew it. I got on my hands and knees, soaking wet and tried to wake the body.

She was rustically beautiful with a heavy dark hair and closed eyes framed with dark, thick lashes. As I moved a piece of hair out of her eyes, I suddenly I heard a voice. It was coming from a distance but it sounded familiar. I squinted in the darkness but the salt water was burning my eyes. In my ways of clumsiness, I accidently rubbed a bunch of sand into my face and must have looked terrible.

I think it was Nate who hoisted me to my feet because even though I was blinded, I felt his hands on my face and his voice in my ears.

"What are you doing here?!" He shouted at me. I cracked an eye open and could see the black outline of his body.

"Let me see your eyes. Are you okay? You're soaking wet! Why were you in the water? It's so dangerous!"

"One question at a time," I joked darkly.