Stormy Beaches

Elliott awoke to a loud boom overhead, inhaling sharply and opening his eyes. He was still sat at his writing desk; he must have passed out writing his novel. He blinked at the dark room before him, occasionally lit up by bright flashes through the cracks in the blinds. His light must've blown again. The man sat up, running a hand through his long ginger hair, then cracked his neck as he yawned, standing with a stretch. He rubbed his eyes as he came over to the window and peeked out, watching the lightning streak across the sky through the raindrops racing down the window. He squinted a bit when he noticed something out on the beach.

A faint yellow glow, and a black figure laid on the ground in the sand.

Elliott blinked, then angled his wristwatch to the window to try and read the time with each bright flash. He barely made out the hands, but he read 3:45. He looked back out, and although he felt a slight tug of dread at his stomach, he had to know who – or what – the figure was.

Elliott walked over to his coat rack and grabbed his overcoat, pulling it on and opening his door. He grabbed the lantern outside and relit it, then started making his way toward the figure on the beach, bringing his hood up. The rain was relentless, and his lantern flickered in the wind, but he managed. He cautiously came up to the figure, slumped over on its side. He could tell it was someone, but their hair was windswept over their face and they looked to be completely soaked through.

“Hello?” Elliott called to them, stepping over to their side. Beside them laid a fishing rod, one he recognized to be his good friend Willy’s. He had a sudden realization then.

Willy had mentioned when he’d returned from his fishing trip that he was going to give his old fishing rod to the new farmer that moved in just a few days ago. What was her name…?

“Cierra?” Elliott remembered, crouching down beside her. He lightly put his hand on her back, shaking her gently, but no response. He leaned down to carefully put his ear to her back then. He could make out a heartbeat and shallow breathing, which relieved him, but now he had to get her out of this weather. He sat his lantern down, then carefully scooped her up in his arms. Just before he stood, he grabbed his lantern again and made his way back to his cabin. He would retrieve her items once she was warm and dry.

Elliott managed to get her into his cabin, setting the lantern on the table before laying her down on his bed. He could deal with the sand later. He went to grab towels and a set of clothes.

“Cierra?” He said as he returned to her side, slightly shaking her again. “Hey,” he lightly tapped her face with his fingers.

Cierra opened her eyes slightly but wasn’t coherent enough to understand where she was or who was over her.

“Can you hear me? Let’s get you dried off and into some new clothes, alright? You’re freezing,” Elliott murmured softly.

Cierra closed her eyes again, not saying anything.

Elliott hummed, standing straight. He laid his blanket over her and went over to his phone, dialing a number. Perhaps Dr. Harvey would have better luck.

It wasn’t long before the Doctor made his way to the cabin, medical bag in tow. Elliott had stationed himself beside the bed to keep a check on Cierra, looking up as the Doctor let himself in, stripping his jacket off and hanging it up.

“Hello, Elliott,” Harvey hummed. “So you said you found her on the beach?”

“Yes,” Elliott replied with a nod, watching as Harvey checked her pulse and breathing with his stethoscope.

“Hmm… Well, she’s exhausted, that's for sure. And shaking like a leaf still. Cierra, can you wake up for me?” Harvey asked.

Cierra’s eyes opened slightly, but she didn’t say or do anything, her eyes closing again.

“Alright. Elliott, if you would turn away for a moment?”

Elliott did as told, letting the doctor do his work.

“Cierra, I’m going to help you change, alright?” Harvey said softly. “Sit up for me.”

Cierra didn’t have much energy to help Harvey, so he had to do most of the work, but by the time they were done she was somewhat standing, although all of her weight was on Harvey.

“Elliott, do you mind changing the sheets?” Harvey asked.

“Of course not,” Elliott turned back around and got to work. He chose a cute set with scallops and conches and all sorts of other shells on them.

Harvey carefully had Cierra lay back down on the bed.

“Okay, here, can you drink?” Harvey asked her, holding a bottle of water to her lips. She took a few tentative sips, but not much. “Very good.”

Cierra groggily watched Harvey as he got up to talk to Elliott, who nodded occasionally at whatever Harvey was telling him. She’d finally stopped shivering, and felt nice and cozy under the covers, and soon she fell back to sleep.