The Hungry Sea

By Sallie Cochren

Katrina’s life has been surrounded by tragedy. The closer someone gets to Katrina, the more likely it is that they will be taken from her. What haunts Katrina the most, though, is knowing who’s responsible for killing her loved ones. The distant voice calls to her from out on the horizon, beckoning her to come and play. Katrina knows that the voice she hears belongs to the sea, and she has an intense desire to do its bidding. Still, the sea is unable to satisfy its hunger. In its deep frustration, how many people will it take for its own? Will it finally claim Katrina? Can Katrina ever figure out the mystery of the sea, and can she ever stop it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sallie Cochren
• Release date: Oct 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463775998

Sallie Cochren

Sallie Cochren has always loved a good story and enjoys stories in a variety of genres. She started writing short stories and skits as a child, thinking it was a great way to spend her free time. She always wanted to write a book of her own, but her teaching career kept her so busy that there was no time to write. When she resigned from her teaching job, she finally had time to start writing and fulfill her lifelong dream.Sallie is drawn to many genres. Her stories encompass a range of writing. She has written horror novels, science fiction, psychological thrillers and even Christian fantasy. She has also written a lighter read with her Alien Cats trilogy. She is currently working on a dystopian series as well as continuing her vampire hunter series.When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading and watching movies. She also loves animals and enjoys spending time with her cat.

Book preview

Introductory Poem

The sea called out from the distant horizon

Searching desperately for the one it desired

Its waves whispering as the water washed over the shore

Come and play! Come and play!

An alluring voice beckoned the girl to do its bidding

Chapter 1

The beach teemed with sunbathers as seagulls flew overhead and dolphins jumped playfully in the waves. It was Katrina’s first trip to the ocean. She was very excited. There was no way such a young child could know that something so sinister would happen to her that day, something that would forever change her life and threaten to destroy her.

She and her family were in Florida since they had come to the Sunshine State to attend a wedding. Her mother, Elaine, had a best friend who had only recently fallen in love with her college sweetheart before deciding to tie the knot. Elaine didn’t want to miss out on the joyous occasion. Florida was quite far from Chicago, especially considering they had made the trip by car. Before heading home, they were enjoying a peaceful day relaxing by the ocean.

Katrina was mesmerized. She had always enjoyed going to the beaches along Lake Michigan with her parents. Going there almost felt like being at the ocean. For a young child, it was practically the same thing. Looking out at that lake, Katrina could see nothing but water that went all the way to the horizon. On her trips to Lake Michigan, as she stood there looking out to sea, as far as Katrina was concerned, it was indeed the ocean. The beach seemed to stretch on forever. Somehow, now that she was here at a real ocean, it was different, better. Katrina loved the water. There was nothing she enjoyed more than being right there in that moment.

The sun was hot. Elaine loved her daughter very much and doted over her. She reapplied Katrina’s sunscreen. At only seven years old, Katrina needed her mother’s help to make sure she didn’t wind up looking like a lobster and suffering skin damage that might lead to bigger problems later in life.

Brian had been doing most of the driving throughout the trip. Elaine gave him a break as needed, but she hated driving on the highways and got fatigued easily. Between the travel, the wedding and sightseeing, Brian was wiped out. He loved his family. But right now, all he wanted to do was kick back and read the newspaper while he relaxed in his beach chair. They were glad they had brought the chairs. It wouldn’t have been nearly as relaxing sitting in the hot sand or on a blanket.

Are you going to sit there all day reading your paper like that? Elaine asked.

What? Brian replied. Aren’t I providing enough stimulating conversation for you?

Elaine looked at him. Her husband was exhausted.

I’m worried about you, she said. You haven’t gotten enough sleep on this trip. Are you sure you’re going to be okay to start the drive back tomorrow?

I’ll be fine, Brian said. Don’t worry about me.

I still don’t see why we didn’t fly out, Elaine mused. All the gas and wear and tear on the car can’t be that much cheaper than flying.

It’s a cultural experience, Brian said. Just think of all the states we’ve officially been to now. We couldn’t have done that flying.

I don’t know if you can hardly check them off your bucket list, seeing how we just drove through them and barely stopped, Elaine countered. It’s not like we really spent much time in any of them.

Still counts, Brian insisted.

Well, I think you should get some rest, Elaine said. You’re straining your eyes with that newspaper.

I’m fine, Brian insisted. Why don’t you and Katrina go for a walk along the beach? She looks like she’s getting restless.

Katrina was indeed getting restless. She wanted to be in the water, not sitting here with her parents.

Okay, Elaine replied. It doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to talk any sense into you.

She took Katrina by the hand.

As they strolled along, Katrina skipped and stayed close to her mom. They had walked for some distance and had put about fifteen minutes worth of walking between themselves and Brian. The weather quickly took a turn for the worse. The wind started picking up, blowing furiously. Elaine didn’t even see the kids coming from behind who were running carelessly and weren’t paying any attention to where they were going. One of them accidentally ran into Elaine and knocked her to the ground. In the process, she lost hold of Katrina’s hand.

The kids stopped momentarily. There was a large crowd of people in the area. In the process of running into Elaine, the boy who had run into her had then fallen onto a picnic basket that belonged to a nearby couple who were trying to have lunch on the beach. They weren’t any happier with the boy than Elaine was. The boy clumsily pulled himself up from the blanket the couple was sitting on and apologized awkwardly to both them and Elaine.

The wind wasn’t helping and was blowing the picnic supplies everywhere. Elaine saw the mess and helped the couple retrieve some plastic plates that were blowing around in the wind. By now, the boys had all taken off.

Kids these days! she said as she handed a runaway plate back to the couple.

Are you okay? the man asked. That was quite a fall.

Elaine’s knee hurt. She felt like she had hit it on something sharp. She glanced down to the sand and saw that some rocks were strewn along the beach. Looking at her knee, she took a short moment to assess the damage.

Just a scraped knee, she said. Well, my daughter and I had better get back to my husband. Come on, Katrina.

Elaine looked around. Katrina was nowhere in sight. She had been right there, and the fall had been brief. Elaine’s heart started to race. There were so many people all around her that it would be easy for a child to get lost in the crowd. It would be just as easy for someone to snatch a child in that time frame and flee while she was distracted. Elaine had only looked away from Katrina for a few brief moments, but now she kicked herself for not being more vigilant.

My child! she panicked. Katrina! Where are you?

The couple were on their feet and scanned the crowd also, but Katrina had been lured away and had left at a quickened pace. She could hear someone beckoning her and calling her name as she walked along the beach. She didn’t know who was calling her, but the voice was urgent and enticing.

Katrina! Come and play! the voice called.

Katrina forgot all about her mom. All that mattered was finding the person responsible for calling to her. Katrina ran eagerly, trying to be obedient and go to her caller.

Katrina! Come and play! the voice said again.

Whoever was calling her was happy and excited, eager to frolic in the waves with Katrina. The voice was definitely coming from out in the ocean. Katrina turned to the tide. She could feel the presence of whoever was calling her from far out in the waves. She knew she had to obey and do as the voice said. She started walking into the ocean and headed toward the source of the voice.

Katrina! Come and play! the voice enticed her again.

Katrina wasn’t a very good swimmer. She had been given lessons when she was a toddler. Her parents took her to the lake a couple of times a month in the summer, but she hadn’t had much practice. As the water got deeper and she could no longer feel the sand under her feet, she started to struggle. She tried to keep afloat, but it was hard. The waves were so strong.

All the while, Katrina kept hearing her name being called. Despite her struggle, she wanted so badly to follow the sound of the voice. There was such an urgency to it that she knew she couldn’t swim away from the voice. She also knew that if she could get to whoever was calling her, something amazing would happen.

Katrina accidentally swallowed a bunch of water. She started coughing and gasped for air. She tried to swim back to where she could stand, but she was having a difficult time. She had gotten herself into deep water already.

A nearby swimmer happened to look Katrina’s way. Taylor immediately knew that Katrina was in trouble. He swam quickly to her and reached out to her when he was close enough to do so. Everything happened so quickly that Taylor didn’t have any warning. Suddenly, screams filled the air and swimmers started panicking as they tried to get to shore.

Shouts of Shark! filled the air.

Taylor looked around in a panic. Suddenly, he looked terrified. The shark grabbed him so quickly that he didn’t even have time to yell. It pulled him out to sea. Katrina caught a glimpse of the shark’s giant teeth as it held Taylor in its mouth and then dove back beneath the surface of the water. It terrified Katrina, and she felt even more afraid when she was once more left alone. She struggled to stay afloat. Would the shark come back for her next?

A couple of swimmers were frantically swimming toward the shore. As they passed Katrina, the woman grabbed her and pulled her to shore with them. Once on the beach, Katrina tried to catch her breath. Everyone was panicking, and there was pandemonium everywhere. Lifeguards were desperately trying to get people out of the water. They had seen Taylor’s attack, and a rescue boat had gone out to search for him. It was too late, though. The shark had already killed Taylor.

Brian was calling desperately for his family. Elaine was still searching for Katrina and was more panicked than ever now that a shark had been spotted. The woman who pulled Katrina out of the water sat with her, still shaken from having been so close to the monstrous creature. Katrina began to cry. She wanted her parents. She felt a cold chill as the ocean air hit her face. From far in the distance, she could hear a loud sigh followed by the same voice she had heard earlier.

No fair, Katrina! it said, sounding angry.

Katrina began to shake. The voice now frightened her. She was already traumatized by watching the shark take Taylor away, but something about the voice she heard now sounded scarier to her than anything she had witnessed.

Katrina! There you are! Elaine said as she rushed to her daughter. Thank God! I’ve been looking all over for you!

She was out there swimming all by herself, the woman said, giving Elaine a disapproving look. She’s too young to be by herself, you know.

I know, Elaine said. She ran off before I could stop her. Thank you for helping her.

Well, I suppose that could happen, but keep a closer eye on her next time! the woman scolded her.

I will, Elaine replied. Believe me, I will! We’re going to have a talk about this later, Katrina!

As she took her daughter’s hand and headed off to find Brian, Katrina knew she was in trouble.

Once back safely with her husband, Elaine didn’t think she had ever been more relieved.

Our daughter wandered off when a boy ran into me and knocked me down. She went swimming in the ocean all by herself! Elaine told him. A stranger had to rescue her!

Katrina! Brian said in a strict tone. Whatever were you thinking?!

He was feeling like a bad parent since he hadn’t been much help in keeping an eye on Katrina. He resolved himself to do better in the future.

Katrina was crying. Brian thought it was because she was in trouble.

That man got eaten by a shark, she sobbed out loud.

Brian looked to Elaine. She told him what she had heard, that the shark had taken a swimmer out to sea.

That poor man, she said and pulled Katrina close.

Neither of them had the heart to lecture Katrina any further. She was terribly upset about what had happened to the man. Surely, she wouldn’t try a stunt like that again!

Elaine scolded herself for not keeping a closer eye on her daughter. How close she could have come to losing Katrina forever! She continued to hold Katrina tightly.

Can we leave now? Elaine asked.

I think that would be wise, Brian said.

Brian gathered up their things and loaded the car while Elaine stayed with Katrina, unwilling to take her eyes off of her daughter for even a moment. As they left the beach, Katrina looked back behind her. The sky had darkened and looked ominous. Katrina could hear the voice more faintly now, still calling her name.

Katrina! Come back! the voice said. Come back and play!

The voice no longer sounded angry. Instead, it was happy and inviting. Katrina’s desire to obey was so strong that she forgot all about the killer shark. She had to fight the urge to break free from her mother and run back to the waves. She needed to do as the voice requested! How desperately she wanted to swim out to it, but there was no way. Her mother was holding onto her too tightly. They got in the car to head back to the hotel for dinner and to rest up before starting the drive back to Chicago the next day.

As Katrina sat in the back seat, she looked longingly out to the ocean. Her window was rolled down. As they pulled out of the parking lot, she could still hear the voice calling her name.

Chapter 2

Twenty-two Years Later:

It was a perfectly beautiful day. The tide was rolling in, and white waves rolled gently over the sand as the water met the beach. Katrina’s lungs filled with sea air. To the ordinary passerby, she would have appeared quite content and at peace. All around, sun bathers lay half-naked on the beach in a desperate attempt to darken their natural shade of skin. The Surgeon General’s warning apparently hadn’t convinced them of the perils of suntans.

Katrina wasn’t one to care about tans and preferred to preserve her skin. She wore a pretty yellow cotton blouse and light beige pants. There was a natural beauty to her. But for many years, it had been suppressed. Too many trials for so many years already showed upon her young face as wrinkle lines ran across her forehead.

Still, she was beautiful. Her soft black hair was perfectly natural in color and hung straight, dipping a few inches below her shoulders. Her radiant complexion was flawless, and Katrina glowed despite her troubled past. The men who saw her found her attractive. A few tried to flirt, but she shooed them away. She wasn’t interested in starting a new relationship, not after what she had been through.

Katrina had come here to try to forget about the tormenting memories that still plagued her thoughts daily. She shut her eyes many times, but the shadows of her past couldn’t be hidden away. She knew it was time to get on with her life and put the misery of the past years behind her. But was that even possible? She felt so alone and again questioned if she had made the right decision when she had moved to California. There was no one who Katrina could confide in to reveal her darkest secrets, yet perhaps she wanted it that way. To confide in someone would mean bringing up old skeletons that were probably better off remaining buried. Sometimes, she wondered why she couldn’t just die. It seemed appropriate that would be her fate, to die young in a tragic death, remembered by only a few.

Maybe she wasn’t being rational. Over the last several years, she had learned to think negatively. Her brain had become programmed to expect that the worst thing possible would happen. She tried to get her mind on other things, reassuring herself that she would eventually find healing. She looked out to the ocean and was overcome with bitterness.

Such an ugly, horrible sight! she thought to herself.

She looked around at all of the people who seemed oblivious to the treachery around them. Katrina was appalled as she watched all of the water worshippers who were bathing, surfing and jumping in the waves.

Can’t they see what you really are?! she shouted in her mind, but she was unable to voice her feelings out loud.

Katrina heard a voice, but it seemed distant. She was so caught up in her own thoughts that she hadn’t noticed the lifeguard who had come over to make conversation. He was very handsome and was tanned from the sun’s rays.

Are you alright? he asked, noticing her lack of response.

Yes, Katrina stammered. I’m alright. You can go back to your job. My life doesn’t need saving!

But Katrina knew that her life did need saving. She also knew, though, that there was nothing this arrogant-looking beach lover could do for her. He wasn’t her type, and she was glad when he walked away. She figured that would be the last she would see of the lifeguard since she usually spoke what was on her mind. Well, at least about certain things… Being candid seemed to drive people away, and it ensured that she would be left alone.

The sun was going down. Katrina left the beach and went back to her tiny apartment. Even though she had a decent job working as a veterinary technician, she didn’t earn enough money to pay for large accommodations. Besides, a large place would only leave her lonelier, and she would have more space to fill. Her small one-bedroom apartment with its miniscule rooms was suitable for her and was all that she needed.

Katrina allowed herself very little in the way of personal goods. To have a lot of jewelry or clothing seemed like a waste of money to her. It disgusted her how some people were so caught up with material goods. They had so much right in front of them, and they couldn’t even see it. If they had been through the things that Katrina had experienced, clothing and jewels would mean nothing to them.

Katrina poured herself a cup of coffee and walked over to the window. Looking down at the pool, she saw three children playing and laughing. Their mother sat idly by. She was a young woman who wasn’t paying attention to her kids as they splashed in the water. Caught up in a novel, the woman was sitting in a lounge chair and was completely engrossed in her reading. It was dark outside, but there were lamps illuminating the pool. They provided enough light for the woman to read. It seemed too late for children to be up, but it wasn’t like Katrina had any say in how the woman raised her children.

Pathetic! Katrina thought to herself. That woman doesn’t care about her kids. She can’t even be bothered to watch them properly!

She pulled the shade closed, refusing to look at the woman and her children any longer.

Katrina wasn’t very good at eating healthy, never having the energy to cook. Going to the freezer, she pulled out some frozen pre-cooked chicken. She put it in the microwave. When it was done, she ate it along with some french fries she had picked up at a fast food restaurant on the way home.

It was late already, as usual. Katrina had been at the ocean for a couple of hours. That was about how much time she usually spent when she made her daily trek to the beach after finishing up at work. By the time she got home, it would usually be close to nine o’clock before she ate any dinner. Being a bit later than that tonight, the nine-thirty news was coming on. She sat down to watch, bracing herself for all the horrific headlines that the broadcasters would throw at her.

Sure enough, two people had been killed in a drive-by shooting, a little boy had been missing for five days now, and an elderly woman had been found strangled to death in her apartment.

Katrina watched, glued to the television. As long as the news was on, she was unable to move or think about anything else. She listened intently to each story, needing to know who else besides her was suffering from tragedies. It took her mind off of her own sorrows for a short while even though she sympathized with the people she heard about and her heart ached for them.

When the news stories were finished and they started to talk about sports, Katrina turned the television off. She couldn’t have cared less about sports and didn’t know why so many people were content to sit back and watch others compete and have fun. She got ready for bed, knowing it would be another short night before the alarm went off in the morning.

The next day at work was the same as usual. Several clients brought their cats and dogs in for their annual vaccinations. One little boy came in, bringing a homeless kitten with him who he had found wandering alone on the sidewalk.

I can’t keep it, he said. I don’t know what to do!

You’ll have to take it to the shelter, the receptionist, Betsy, told him coldly.

But it’ll be lonely in the shelter! the little boy cried out.

It won’t be there long. A beautiful little kitten like that will surely find someone to adopt him, Betsy replied.

Of course, Betsy couldn’t guarantee that that would be the case.

At that time, Dr. Knight walked into the room. A good-hearted woman who loved animals immensely, she couldn’t stand to hear about an animal in need.

What have we got here? she asked and smiled down at the boy and his kitten.

This lady said I have to take this kitten to the shelter! the boy answered.

Looking to the doctor, Betsy shrugged her shoulders and replied, He’s homeless.

Betsy didn’t seem to have the least bit of sympathy as she spoke. Katrina didn’t know why Dr. Knight allowed such a cold woman to work in the office, seeing how much the veterinarian loved animals.

Oh, I don’t think that will be necessary, Dr. Knight consoled the boy. I have a friend who finds people to foster kittens just like this one. She’ll find someone to care for it.

But what if she doesn’t? the little boy asked fearfully. Then, she’ll take it to the shelter!

No, she won’t, Dr. Knight assured him. So far, she’s found homes for all but two kittens who were brought to her. The ones she couldn’t place are now her own special cats and are doing very well.

Will she take this kitten? the boy asked timidly.

Deep down, Dr. Knight knew that if her friend had too many kittens, she would be unable to take it. The doctor, herself, had kept too many animals in situations like this and couldn’t possibly take another. Not to mention, two were already office cats. Still, she couldn’t bear to see this little boy hurt.

Believe me, she couldn’t turn away a cutie like this, she assured him.

The boy gave the doctor a smile and handed the little grey ball of fur to her. When Dr. Knight called her friend, she just so happened to have room for one more and agreed to help. Dr. Knight breathed a sigh of relief. Katrina wished all stories would have a happy ending like this, but her own experience had told her that the vast majority of them did not.

Katrina walked to the room with the kennels. She checked on one of the patients. Snowflake had undergone surgery that morning. The white cat was beautiful, her long hair thick and full. Katrina checked the IV line. The needle had been inserted on the shaved area of her leg. Katrina took a moment to look at the soft pink color of the cat’s skin and wondered what she would look like if she was hairless.

No doubt you would still be adorable, she said softly.

Snowflake was sleepy, still not fully recovered from the operation. She was a young cat, only two years old. She had made the unfortunate decision to ingest a piece of ribbon that her owner had unknowingly left out. Of course, her owner felt terrible. But the operation had gone well, and Snowflake had an excellent prognosis.

Katrina, a soft voice whispered.

Startled, Katrina looked to the window where the voice had seemed to be coming from. The window faced the direction of the ocean even though the sea wasn’t visible from this room.

The window was open, but there was a security screen which kept the office felines from getting outside. A soft breeze was filtering into the room.

No, it can’t be, Katrina thought to herself.

Yet, somehow, she couldn’t shake the feeling that what she had heard was real. She stood there for a few minutes, listening closely, but she didn’t hear her name being called again. Letting out a sigh, Katrina patted Snowflake on the head and closed her kennel.

Get your rest, sweetie, she said.

As she left the room to head back to the lobby, a distant voice was barely audible, but its harsh tone revealed its frustration.

No fair, Katrina. No fair! it said, but the only ones there to hear it were a few dogs and Snowflake.

By the time her shift ended, Katrina had put the voice out of her mind. Surely, she hadn’t heard what she thought she had heard. At least, that was what she tried to tell herself.

She went to her car and drove to the beach. Once again, she walked to the shore, disgusted with all of the beach-obsessed people. She stood there, staring at the ocean for what seemed like an endless time.

I see you’re back, a voice spoke to her.

Katrina jumped, thinking again about the voice she had heard earlier in the day.

I didn’t mean to startle you, the lifeguard said.

No, it’s fine, Katrina replied, embarrassed but also relieved that the person speaking to her was as much flesh and blood as she was.

She took a moment to look at the lifeguard, again acknowledging to herself that he was quite handsome.

I’ve been noticing how you come to the beach every night and just stand here, staring out at the ocean, the lifeguard said.

Katrina tried to ignore him. He didn’t impress her. She wanted to be left alone.

Do you ever go for a swim? he asked.

That didn’t bode well with Katrina. Too many memories… Too much tragedy… Her experience with the ocean made her want to never go swimming again!

Without meaning to, Katrina found herself glaring at him for a moment. The lifeguard became uneasy and started to apologize for upsetting her. But before he could utter the apology, Katrina answered him.

I prefer to just look at the ocean, she said.

The lifeguard was relieved to see that she was speaking. He didn’t understand why she had looked so upset by his question.

Well, it certainly is beautiful, he replied.

Katrina refused to respond to him, thinking to herself that the ocean was hideously ugly.

And so are you, the lifeguard stated boldly, if you don’t mind me saying so.

Katrina looked at him, completely stunned by his compliment. She knew the type of girl this kind of guy went for, and she was nowhere close to that image.

What did you say? Katrina asked, unable to believe he had really said what she thought she had heard.

I said you’re very beautiful, he answered. What’s your name?

Katrina, she replied and showed no emotion.

A beautiful name to suit you, the lifeguard said. My name is Doug, by the way. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Doug extended his hand to Katrina. She reluctantly took it, shaking it slightly. She gave him a faint smile, completely surprising herself that she would respond in such a manner.

Would you like to go out for a drink when I get off work? Doug asked bravely.

No, I couldn’t, Katrina said.

Doug looked older than the average lifeguard. Katrina thought he was probably nearing thirty. Thirty… That seemed like such a big number. In one year, Katrina would be thirty.

I know. We don’t even know each other. Going out for a drink could be awkward. I get it, Doug replied as if he had encountered reluctant women before. Perhaps we could do something less intimidating. I’m off on Sunday. How about meeting at that little café up the road for lunch? It can just be like two friends meeting for lunch. Nothing more.

No, really, Katrina stammered. I couldn’t, but thanks for the offer.

Let me guess. You’re already spoken for. Married? Doug asked.

No, Katrina replied. No, I’m definitely not married.

A boyfriend then? Doug queried.

No, I don’t have a boyfriend, Katrina replied.

You aren’t attracted to men? Doug asked.

No, that’s not it either, Katrina answered.

So, you’re attracted to men, but not to me? Is that it? I’m beginning to think there’s something wrong with me, Doug replied.

He was beginning to annoy Katrina. She felt like he was giving her the third degree. Why did she have to explain herself? She couldn’t go out with him, and that was all there was to it.

Katrina looked at him and said, It’s nothing like that. Really.

Well, then, I don’t see what could possibly keep you from meeting me for lunch if you really wanted to, Doug stated.

Katrina felt like she was losing her willpower. A part of her wanted to say yes. She had been alone for so long. Would it really be that bad to take a chance? Could it alleviate some of her loneliness? But why Doug? She knew he wasn’t her type. Sure, he was good-looking, but she had seen a lot of good-looking guys before. She turned them down frequently.

But Doug was persistent. Perhaps he could break any girl down given enough time. No, it wasn’t a good idea to go out with him. Not to mention the fact that she knew it would be wrong to allow herself to have fun and get involved with him or anyone else, for that matter.

I can’t explain why, but I just can’t go out with you. That’s all there is to it! she snapped.

Katrina broke free from the conversation and ran back to her car. Doug called after her, apologizing and telling her that he hadn’t meant to upset her. Katrina refused to hear his words.

No fair, Katrina. No fair! a voice called from the sea, but Katrina was already in her car and couldn’t hear it.

Katrina started her car and peeled out of the parking lot, unable to get away fast enough. She felt some tears trickling down her cheek.

Great, just great! she muttered to herself and brushed away the forbidden tears.

Katrina was ashamed to allow herself to cry. But suddenly, she couldn’t control it any longer. She pulled the car over to the side of the road and completely broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

I can’t do this! she shouted out loud. It isn’t right for me to cry about my own stupid existence! I hate myself for this!

The more she hated herself, the more she cried which only made the situation worse. All of a sudden, she heard a tap on the window. She looked up to see a policeman standing beside her car, motioning for her to roll the window down. As she did so, the policeman seemed to be barking at her. But in reality, he was only speaking in a concerned tone.

Are you okay? the officer asked.

Katrina was bitter. Was he stupid or something? Anyone could tell by looking at her that she obviously wasn’t okay! She thought he had some nerve to even ask such a ridiculous question.

I’m fine, Katrina lied, holding in as much emotion as possible.

I’m sorry, he said. I can see you’re upset, but you can’t park the car here. It’s much too dangerous. There’s a parking lot right over there where you can pull over until you’re up to driving.

Katrina looked at him coldly. He didn’t understand. He would never understand. In his world, it was only the facts that were important.

Fine, Katrina said bitterly and rolled the window up, starting the car and pulling into the lot.

The officer watched her. Finally convinced that she wasn’t in any immediate danger or causing any danger to passing traffic, he got on his motorcycle and continued on his patrol. Katrina could see him driving by periodically, spying on her. Finally, fifteen minutes later, she started her car and drove back to her lonely apartment.

When Katrina was young, the world had all seemed so full of promise and hope. Slowly yet surely, her world had completely come crashing down around her.

Katrina graveled in self-pity all night, totally ashamed of herself and her actions. She couldn’t even bring herself to eat dinner or watch the news. Instead, she crawled into bed and hid in the darkness, hoping that daylight would never come for her again. In the morning when light did break through the window, she couldn’t bear to get out of bed. She called in sick, saying that she had come down with the flu. She wouldn’t admit to what was really ailing her.

By Monday morning, she went back to work. She was glad to be busy, wanting to keep herself from thinking about Thursday night and the horrible emotional outburst she had displayed. Katrina wanted to be strong.

That evening, she went back to the beach. Sure enough, Doug spotted her and sauntered over to say hello.

Good evening, Doug said, sounding much too confident and sure of himself. I’ve missed you the last couple of nights. I hope you’re feeling better now. I want to apologize if I did anything to upset you.

I can’t believe you’re still talking to me, Katrina replied.

Why not? You seem like a nice person. I blame myself, Doug apologized. A gorgeous woman like you doesn’t need strange men coming on so strong.

As if he wasn’t coming on strong today? Was he used to calling someone he didn’t even know gorgeous? Katrina didn’t know how to respond, so she remained silent.

I can tell you have a lot on your mind, Doug said. You’re always so deep in thought.

Katrina thought about what he said. She did have a lot on her mind. Like always, it was rarely anything positive. She knew that it wasn’t healthy to dwell on the negative. Yet after everything she had been through, Katrina couldn’t help it. She wasn’t sure she wanted to think any differently anyway. It didn’t seem right for her to not dwell on all of the things that plagued her mind.

Katrina desperately wanted someone to talk to. She wondered if she could open up to Doug, yet she knew she could never reveal the secrets that her heart guarded so closely.

I suppose that’s part of the problem, she finally answered. You see, I don’t like having so much on my mind. There’s so much I know that I need to forget. But every time I come here, it all comes back to me.

Then, why do you come here? Doug asked. If you say that it’s just to see me, I’ll be very flattered. But I won’t believe a word of it.

For the first time since she had met Doug, Katrina genuinely smiled at him. It was a small smile, but it was more than she usually gave to anyone.

Doug smiled back. Katrina knew it was wrong to let her resistance down, but Doug seemed kind. Could she confide in him about the tragedies in her past, and could she trust him to be there for her? It was all very scary to her, but she knew she would eventually have to give her heart to someone again. Could it be to Doug?

What was she even thinking? Obviously, she spent too much time alone. Maybe she was simply attracted to Doug because she was lonely, or maybe she was desperate to have someone else know the tragedies that had befallen her so that they could in some way take part of the suffering away from her.

Don’t you have a beach to be watching? she asked.

I can see it just fine from here, Doug said. It doesn’t hurt if I talk to you for a few minutes.

Katrina wondered if she would agree with him if she was drowning in the ocean. She knew, though, that he wasn’t going away anytime soon. In her mind, she toyed with how much she should tell him.

So? Doug prompted her. Is it to see me? Is that why you come to the beach so often?

He smiled flirtatiously.

Well, I’m sorry to bruise your ego. I suppose that would be an okay reason to come to the beach, but you’re right. That isn’t why I come here, Katrina said.

She paused for a moment, not knowing if she should continue. Doug waited patiently, somehow knowing that he needed to be quiet and give Katrina time to decide how much she wanted to tell him. She was obviously a very troubled woman, but he