Pip walked along the shoreline where the sea met the sand, and the sunset glistened on the water like infinite diamonds. Their steps slowed as the sparkling light danced across every wave.
Their steps slowed as the sparkling light danced across every wave. Suddenly a wave crashed and splashed cold water over their socks.
Pip hopped backward as sand stuck to their wet shoes. The water rolled away, leaving glittering trails in the wet sand. They marched on, searching for a calm spot.
The tide pulled at their feet with every step. Shells rattled underfoot, and a crab scuttled sideways into a burrow.
Pip kicked a pebble, which clattered into the surf. They kept walking, their steps heavy with restless frustration.
At last Pip found a smooth patch of dry sand near the water's edge and sank down with a sigh of relief.
A wave crested and broke, splashing cold water over their ankles. Pip jumped back with a yelp, water soaking right through their shoes.
They sat on their heels, staring at the ripple that retreated across the sand. Then another wave followed, and Pip watched it too.
Pip thought, I am tired of chasing the water. They decided to just sit still and let the waves do what they wanted.
The sand around Pip glowed gold and pink in the fading light. The world felt slow and quiet and very still.
A tiny wave reached their toes and pulled away. Pip didn't move. They let it come and go all by itself.
Pip watched the water come and go, come and go. Each wave was different, and each one let them be perfectly still.
The surf sighed against the shore, a long soft sound. Pip listened to it with their whole body.
The last diamond-light on the water faded slowly, one spark at a time, until the sea was dark and smooth.
Pip sat there a little while longer, watching the dark water, listening to the soft sigh of the waves.
When Pip finally stood up, their shoes were still damp but they did not mind. The sea had not chased them away. It had waited.