My eyes are closed, but I know I’m on the beach, luxuriously sunning myself. I can feel the warmth around me, see the red haze of bright sunlight filtering through the thin membrane covering my eyes, and hear the crashing of the surf beating its lazy rhythm on the shore. I am relaxed, lost in the moment until I hear a giggle wafting towards me on the breeze.
I squint and sit up, shading my eyes against the onslaught of light. A young girl no older than five stands several paces away. She is pale with long red hair that frames her face in wild curls, and she is staring at me. She covers her mouth as another giggle escapes.
“What’s so funny?” I ask frowning. My voice sounds strange in my ears.
“You’re naked.” I look down and see she is telling the truth. I am naked. I’m also not a teenager. A flat chest, tiny waist, and little girl legs greet my gaze. What is going on?
She takes a few steps, pauses to look back, and takes a few more. “What’s the matter with you?” I ask.
She looks behind her again, and when she turns back I see the internal struggle written on her face. “My parents told me not to come here alone.”
“Why not?”
“They don’t want me to get hurt. The ocean is dangerous.”
“It is not!” I reply vehemently, my squeaky child voice going even higher. “You’re only saying that because you don’t know how to swim.”
“How do you know that?”
“I’ve seen you in the water. You’re afraid of it, and never go in past your knees.”
She considers this and I know I’ve won her over when her facial features smooth out. She closes the distance between us, plopping down next to me. Her eyes wander to my neck.
“What’s that?” she asks pointing. I reach up and as my fingers touch the cord around my neck I realize that I’m wearing the necklace. A moment later I’ve detangled the shell from my unruly hair. I offer it to her and our foreheads touch as she pulls it close to her face to admire it. “It’s so pretty.”
“Evelyn!”
I jump up and without a word race to the water’s edge. I grin at my new friend and give her a quick wave before turning my back on her. My heart races as the water from the next wave rises. In one graceful motion I dive into it.
“Evelyn!”
I gasp and sit up blinking, my eyes dilating as they try to make sense of the cold, dark space of my bedroom.
“Evelyn! Are you awake yet?” Mom calls from the other end of the hall. I exhale loudly and collapse back on my pillows.
“Yes…” I reply closing my eyes again hoping I can fall back into the warmth of my dream, but knowing I won’t be able to.