This was another picture challenge. Write a paragraph or story about what might be happening in the picture. It reminded me of an Emergency fanfiction story I had written called "Going to Extreme Measures" The character of Michael in this short piece would have been Johnny Gage if this were part of that story.
Finding Peace
Michael watched the wave roll in towards the shore. The warm sand slid from beneath his feet as the last wave retreated to the ocean. The white cap crested and turned back down to mix with the retreating tide. As the sand slipped around his toes Michael curled them to feel the granules sliding between them. The sensation always reminded him of how fast things can slip away, how little control he really had. When the wave crashed into the beach, Michael began to count. It was a trick he’d learned a long time ago. If he could count high enough before the next wave crested, then he would know how fast to paddle out to catch a good curl. Michael had once surfed the circuit, winning many awards and trophies. He had been on the cover of many magazines. These days, he surfed to relax. He gave up competing a few years ago when he joined the fire department.
The splash of the white water crashing down into the retreating tide brought his attention back to counting. The sea gulls yelling at the wave, that now circled around his feet hurrying back out, made him smile. They were fussing, because the waves were making the fish swim deeper. The gulls were not happy with their hunting today. He licked his lips, tasting the salty air and looked back at the waves. It was easy to get lost in the sounds of the crashing waves and wind freely blowing across the open space. The ocean had a calming sound that blocked out all the troubles that weighed heavy on his shoulders.
The splash of the white water crashing down into the retreating tide brought his attention back to counting. The sea gulls yelling at the wave, that now circled around his feet hurrying back out, made him smile. They were fussing, because the waves were making the fish swim deeper. The gulls were not happy with their hunting today. He licked his lips, tasting the salty air and looked back at the waves. It was easy to get lost in the sounds of the crashing waves and wind freely blowing across the open space. The ocean had a calming sound that blocked out all the troubles that weighed heavy on his shoulders.
1/17/16