The beach appeared gradually between the trees. Pale sand stretched along the coast, bordered by dark rocks and scattered pieces of driftwood. The sea was calm, and small waves moved gently toward the shore.
The mist was much thicker here.
It hovered just above the water, obscuring the distant rocks.
Jude stepped onto the sand and looked around.
"Something happened here."
Sophie followed his gaze.
A long line had been drawn across the beach.
It began near the rocks and continued toward the water, as though something heavy had been dragged over the sand. Beside it were several scattered pieces of driftwood.
"Perhaps the storm brought something ashore," Serena suggested.
Jude crouched to examine the marks.
The line was unusually straight.
And it did not appear to have been made by a boat or a fallen tree.
Scarlet walked toward a cluster of rocks.
"There's something over here."
The others followed.
