Aldrina

Bright light and the loud crashing waves on rocks caused the child to stir. Stiff and cold, soaking wet from lying in the surf, the small child of no more than three summers opened her eyes slowly. Crusty from the salt and sand, her lashes seemed fused together, but finally she was able to open her eyes all the way. Sand. Rocks. Mostly sand, glistening from the water. The girl slowly lifted her head off the sand and carefully pushed herself up onto her knees. The sun shining on the sand, on all the wet rocks, and on the water to one side caused to her squint hard in the glare. A gust of wind blew from over the water and whipped the girl's wet hair into her face, stinging her cheeks, getting into her eyes. When the wind died down, the girl raised her head completely. Looking up and down the small rocky beach, she fought the urge to cry out in terror. All around her young frame were bodies of the men and women...