Bethany was having an outstanding day, soaking in the last moments of her family’s beach vacation. On their final day, she took one last walk along the shoreline. Bethany took comfort as the waves lapped up against her legs and the salt-laden wind nipped at her unbound hair. It felt like the world was holding its breath, precious and fleeting, when her bare foot stepped on something hard. Heart racing, she bent down and unearthed whatever her foot had struck.
When the object broke through the wet sand, her breath caught as she found a pair of sunglasses. The frames were unusual but absolutely striking. She lifted the solid frames from the sand, letting the incoming waves wash away the clinging grit. She glanced around the empty beach, then peered through her prize to see if they fit. When her vision didn’t blur, she smiled, enjoying the beautiful view through the tinted lenses.
She rubbed the lenses dry with the edge of her shirt before she put them on again. She turned to walk back towards her parents and noticed a strange man off to her right. She hadn’t seen him earlier, and she wondered how he’d appeared out of nowhere. He must have noticed her studying him because he began walking towards her. She didn’t want to deal with the stranger, so she jogged back towards her parents.
As she went, she kept looking over her shoulder, and the man was still following her. Each time she looked away from the stranger, she forced herself to move just a little faster. When she reached her father, she collapsed, and the glasses fell from her nose. Her fingers flew to her temples, digging in as a sudden pressure built behind her eyes. Her father rushed to her, helped her up, and asked, “Darling, why were you sprinting across the beach?”
“Someone is chasing after me!” Bethany said as her finger whipped behind her.
Her father looked where she pointed, shaking his head. “Bethany, no one is over there.”
Bethany clung to her father but eased out of his grasp as she turned to find the man, only to discover he vanished. She let go of her father and said, “I promise there was a man chasing me.”
Her father lifted her head up, kissing her forehead. “Darling, if there was, he’s long gone. He must’ve seen where you were going and left you alone. Why don’t you wait here and enjoy the sunset with me?”
Bethany shook her head and said, “Some food might settle my imagination.”
With a nod, her father pulled something out of his pocket. “Here is a little money. Would you like me to go with you?”
An unsteady smile spread as Bethany assured her father that she would be fine, as she took the money and walked towards the boardwalk, fully intending to eat something. At her favorite food stand, sunlight beat down on her eyes, so she shaded her eyes with her hand, and it brushed the still clinging arm of the sunglasses. She’d forgotten about her prize. With a sigh, she slipped them back on and came eye to eye with the stranger.
Bethany yelped, leaping backward. She was lucky not to fall or collide with anyone. And the man appeared next to her, placing his hand on hers. With that touch, his words reached her, “…need your help.”
Bethany yanked her arm, but it wouldn’t move. Her breath turned sharp and shallow as panic took hold. The man put his nose next to hers. “Please, help me. I have been searching for someone who could see me. I need your help.”
Bethany studied his glazed brown eyes, though hers darted anywhere but back at him. “Who are you?”
“I’m Kevin Johnson. Please, I need help.”
“Why are you following me?” Her voice was nothing more than a whisper.
“Because you can see me,” the ghost said inching closer, “and I’m running out of time.”
“How can I help you?” Bethany asked, her frantic mind slowing. When she’d calmed down enough, Bethany realized something. “Wait, why can I only interact with you when I’m wearing these sunglasses?”
“My body’s on the beach, dying.”
“You’re a ghost. Doesn’t that mean you’re already dead?”
“No, please come with me,” Kevin said. However, before she could respond, the desperate, ghostlike man led her to a place close to where she found the sunglasses. Her heart pounded like a drum as she stumbled after him, her dread blooming with every step. Nearby lay what could have been the man’s twin, his skin paler than the clouds overhead.
“Who are you?” Bethany asked as she tried yanking her arm free again.
“If you don’t help me, I will die,” Kevin said as he thrust his finger at the still form lying on the sand. Kevin’s face became desperate as he wailed, “Please help me.”
Bethany didn’t hesitate. She grabbed his arm and dragged him towards the nearby lifeguards. After what seemed like hours, a shrill whistle snatched her attention. Moments later, the heavy burden lifted from her, as the swarming lifeguards began exercising their craft to revive Kevin.
As the lifeguards worked, Bethany edged away, keeping her eyes on the duplicate Kevin. As the guards sought to help the man, the ghost drifted towards his body. Once he touched it, the ghost melted into the still body, mouthing two words, thank you. When they finished merging, the once-still man coughed, color rushing back into his face.
She turned to run, her breath catching in her throat, but a lifeguard grabbed her and guided her to Kevin, saying, “Sir, she is responsible for saving your life.”
Looking up at her, Kevin gripped his chest, eyes wide with wonder, as he spoke with a wheeze in his voice. “Thank you, miss. Thank you.”
Her knees buckled beneath the weight of relief. She barely stayed upright as joy bloomed behind her eyes. Bethany blushed as she inclined her head. “You’re welcome.”