Sam and Pat sat on a big flat rock where the sand still held the sun's warmth. Pat lifted the net high, and inside, the bright red crab clicked its claws against the mesh like tiny wooden spoons. Sam leaned forward, squinting against the glare. "Can you see the crab?" he asked.
The crab tapped its claws faster, dragging the net side to side. Pat giggled and bobbed the net up and down, but Sam watched the little legs scrabbling at nothing. A small wave lapped at the edge of the rock and wet the corner of the net. Sam's fingers curled tight around the rope.
Sam stepped closer and lifted the net toward the water. The crab froze, then scuttled sideways with a loud click-click-click. It paused at the wet rock, turned one big eye toward the boy, and dove into a shallow pool with a soft splish.
Sam stood up and brushed sand off his knees. His friend looked at the empty net, then at him, and gave a small thumbs-up. The crab was gone, but a tiny red shell sat behind a rock, glinting in the sun.
Sam bent down and picked up the tiny red shell. He turned it over in his palm, feeling its smooth curves, then slipped it into his pocket. It settled against his leg with a soft tap.
He patted his pocket where the shell rested. His friend nudged his shoulder with a grin. The empty net swung loosely from his other hand as they turned to watch the tide.
The sun sank lower now, painting the water in streaks of orange and gold. Sam and Pat sat side by side on the warm rock, watching the tide roll in and out. The air smelled like salt and wet sand.
Sam tapped his pocket where the red shell rested. A quiet smile spread across his face as the waves continued their endless rhythm, in and out, in and out.
