Frightened, I stood, surrounded by my few belongings. I couldn't help but stare at the sand covering the toes of my new shoes, black, pointy toed, with a flash of red at the heel. Like me-just a flash of the possibility of intrigue. The heat feels like 40 degrees. Cars careen by at outrageous speeds, but this is only in the periphery of my consciousness. There is nothing but sand and freeway and two individuals arguing in a language I can't understand. Two cars parked at an angle at the edge of the bleak desert. My mind can hardly grasp the reality of what has happened. So far from home, I am frozen in the sand. Were I to see myself from above, I might look like a modern-day gargoyle. All I can think in that moment of me staring is: "...oh, my new shoes are getting ruined. If only I had worn my black takkies." Author's notes: Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite: Belongings in the Sand: [quote] The Tale of the Red Heeled Shoes is an excellent short story with a satisfying and complex plot. It's highly recommended. [end quote]. Magnus's review illuminates the story's capacity to capture the delicate balance between professional composure and raw survival instinct. Magnus notes how the protagonist's polished exterior gives way to a more visceral presence when confronted with danger, creating a compelling narrative tension that propels the reader through the increasingly precarious situation. The dominance of telling over showing in Belongings in the Sand serves as a deliberate literary device that enhances the story's psychological authenticity. The narrative distance creates a protective barrier between the protagonist and her experience, mirroring real-world trauma responses. This technique, while unconventional, proves effective in conveying both the immediate danger and the psychological impact of the events described.