the chill off the sea sweeps over her , sending shivers up her arms , and augusta burrows into her sweatshirt further . the hood is pulled up , hanging over her face till fabric and the evening shadows make her unidentifiable -- this close to the beach , the lights from the city are faint . she likes it that way , now that she’s no longer afraid of what the shadows might be hiding .
this time of night , the beach is usually emptied , a usually welcome refuge from the densely populated streets , but there’s a figure , now visible , hunched on the beach . just for a moment , augusta holds still , measures the situation against her disinclination to socialize with strangers . then she hears the crying , and CAVES . changing course , she steps onto the sand , sneakers sinking in , and approaches cautiously , till she can recognize distinctive features , see the tear tracks .
dumbly , she asks , ❝ HEY -- are you okay ? ❞ / @herwreck
