John raced across the sand, his feet kicking up a spray of golden grains behind him as he laughed. “Last one to the water has to eat a hermit crab!”
Kabir shook his head but couldn’t hide a grin. “I’m not eating any crabs. Those things carry diseases, you know.” Undeterred by his own circumspection, Kabir took off after John, determined not to be left out.
Amal lagged a few steps behind, her green eyes scanning the beach. “Maybe the loser could just tell us a story instead?” She could almost imagine sitting around a campfire, listening to stories of peril, exploit and adventure.
The summer sun blazed down upon their bare backs, heat radiating off their skin in waves. The rhythmic pounding of the ocean against the shore filled their ears, a soothing lullaby that seemed to match the steady beat of their hearts. As they reached the shoreline, John dove headfirst into an incoming wave, feeling the cool embrace of the Atlantic envelop him. He emerged from the water, shaking his head to rid himself of any lingering droplets. This is the life, he thought with a smile,