Storymakers: A Deadly Walk on the Beach

Storymakers: A Deadly Walk on the Beach

By Danielle
Eighth Grade
Kilo Middle School
Auburn, WA

As the waves move swiftly over the soft, golden sand, I notice five beautiful dolphins in the distance. The urge to join them overtakes my mind, but my knowledge of the brutal sea holds me back. The day is abnormally warm, and I find myself scooting closer to the cool water every passing second. "Just a little dip," I think to myself, "that's all I need." The pull finally lunges me into the water, splashing everything and everyone around me.

The ocean is like a humongous bathtub. Without thinking, my body dives deeper into the water, kicking my feet at the surface with a slight ripple. My eyes search for reality, but discover nothing. Under the surface is a whole different world. Sea creatures swim carefree with little to no notice of the human among them.

To my disappointment, my air supply from my lungs has disappeared. The struggle to break through the surface suddenly is the only thought in my mind. Finally, air fills my lungs with a gigantic gasp of thankfulness.

The day has past swiftly. More swiftly than I would have appreciated. I ponder quietly if the swim should continue and I decide a few more heavenly moments will do no harm. As I catapult under for the second time, fear instantly strikes my heart. There, just feet away from me, is a shark, just waiting for his chance to kill. Instinctively, I use all I have to reach shore. The chase is on! Thankfully, a fish is in its path of destruction, so I am no longer a target...for long. My feet hit the shallow waters with relief. People surround me with helping hands, but my heartbeat is too loud to hear a word that escapes their lips. The ruckus seems like a fly in my ear; the buzz is annoying, but tolerable. I walk in silence, ignoring the concerned faces. My car is in sight, and I am relieved when I am close enough to climb in and escape the worry struck crowd.

This day will cling to me like a barnacle for the rest of my life. Never again will I venture so deep into the deadly waters of the ocean. Danger lurks deep under the murky water where a human eye fails to see. Be careful.

Storymakers: A Creative Challenge for Young Writers, is a program inviting students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades living in Washington State and British Columbia, Canada, to submit their own original creative writing pieces.