Page 1 of The Beach Holiday

What was prevalent was the dark streaks of blood all through the sand, and the smell.

The smell of blood. She was lying on the beach, amongst the chaos and the wreckage.

She looked so serene and I wondered how I could walk away and just leave her there.

I bent down by her side. I observed the blood across her dress, and down her legs.

I sat back on my heels and held my hands in a prayer fashion.

Then I held them out in front of me and saw the blood all over them.

I could see it even in the half-light of the moon.

I only had a few more minutes; I needed to get away soon.

I looked behind me, to the shore where the small motor boat was moored, all ready for me.

I looked once more at her lying on the sand.

The dark stains marred her clothes; I was barely able to see what the pattern once was.

What would become of her? I wasn’t sure.

But I couldn’t think about it anymore. I had to take myself from this island and forget about her and everything that had happened here.

What I had been responsible for. I stood and pulled my rucksack onto my back so I had two free arms for balance to wade out to the boat and get on board.

I knew every second counted now; they would be coming for me.

I looked down at her almost lifeless body once more, then I stepped around her.

I moved towards the shore, then I slowly waded out into the shallows until I reached the boat.

I threw my rucksack inside and climbed on board.

I sat down on the plank of wood nearest the engine and before I started it, I took one last look at the island.

This was the last time I would see it close, or ever again I was sure. Now it was time to go.

I looked at the body on the sand and something told me that she had gone – she was no longer of this earth – and as I started the engine and the boat began to chug away, I kept looking at her and didn’t take my eyes off her until she was just a tiny spec on the small stretch of sand in the faraway distance.