Locked to _alienated_
He'd stayed away at first. It was easier to believe what he knew to be true when he wasn't confronted with places where he kept expecting to meet her. Only to find them empty.
But the ocean drew him and so he found himself walking through the sand, toward the beach house. It didn't matter if it was empty. He would have known if she was - if Alexander had been right. The wind pulled at his hair and clothes, smelling like waves and seaweed and tears. He picked up a dry starfish and kept it in his hand as he walked closer.
It looked empty - and he almost felt a little guilty for not being surprised at that.
Clay didn't move inside. Instead he sat down in the sand, holding the starfish in both hands as he tipped his head back a little, feeling the sun on his skin.
Callie? Callie, come home.
But the ocean drew him and so he found himself walking through the sand, toward the beach house. It didn't matter if it was empty. He would have known if she was - if Alexander had been right. The wind pulled at his hair and clothes, smelling like waves and seaweed and tears. He picked up a dry starfish and kept it in his hand as he walked closer.
It looked empty - and he almost felt a little guilty for not being surprised at that.
Clay didn't move inside. Instead he sat down in the sand, holding the starfish in both hands as he tipped his head back a little, feeling the sun on his skin.
Callie? Callie, come home.