Stranger

I sit… My toes are dipped in the cool sea water. Thoughts ebb and flow through my mind like the never-ending tides of time. I gently flick my foot and watch the water and sand shift and swirl. A single strain of my auburn hair falls, a hand brushes it back behind an ear. I frown as a particular memory forms in front of me…It still brings unease even though years have passed. I shiver slightly as I pull my toes out of the water and hug my knees. The sun is only just started to set. In a couple of minutes, the sky will be splashed with oranges and pinks. I stand, sigh and brush sand off myself and turn towards the house dragging my feet through the sand. Still warm from the day.

 

I’m only a couple of metres away from the house, when I hear my name being called. It’s not a voice I recognise. I turn in the direction and see a man running towards me. “Rebecca! Rebecca!” A sense of urgency in the cry. I can’t help but be startled. ‘Who on earth is this man!?’

 

As he gets closer, I still have not recognised him… The way he runs is not familiar.... I stand and wait thinking that I will eventually know who he is when he’s closer.

 

He’s front of me now.

 

“Rebecca!! Thank God, I’ve found you.” He’s bent over huffing and puffing. His face red and his forehead shiny with sweat.

 

I look at him up and down… “Sorry… Who… Who are you?” I ask awkwardly. Human interaction is not my strong suit…. The ending of my recent relationship proved that. As did the many before.

“It’s me Rebecca!”

I stare blankly into the ice blue eyes. “I’m sorry I don’t know who you are.”

“But… But…”

“I think you have the wrong Rebcca.” I interrupt and turn to leave… He grabs my wrist.

“I don’t have the wrong Rebecca! I know you know me!”

I attempt to shake his grip. It tightens. “Please let go of me.” I demand.

“No. Not until you remember who I am.”

 

I stare at him for longer. Black hair paints his head; the almond shaped eyes filled with the ice blue… Below them is the long nose, the full lips and the chiselled chin…. His brow furrows…. “Please remember me, Rebecca.” He whispers. A gentle palm cups my face. “I need you to remember me.”

 

I’m frightened now. “I… I really don’t know who you are. Please let me go.” I beg.

 

The grip loosens slightly as the man stares at me. He sighs and finally let’s go of my wrist. “At least I tried.”

 

I back away slowly… Keeping my eyes firmly on him… My heart is beating against my chest… Too scared to run… Suddenly my survival instinct kicks in and I race towards the house… “One day you will remember me, Rebecca. One day.” The stranger calls as the darkness of the day swallows him whole.