That night, I couldn't sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Mira standing in the surf, the glow of her bracelet, and the way the water had seemed to move toward her like it recognized her.
It was ridiculous. Maybe I'd imagined it the sun, the waves, my tired brain. That had to be it.
I rolled over, staring across the dark room. Mira's bed was empty. Again.
A small knot of unease formed in my chest. I told myself she'd gone to the bathroom, or maybe for a walk, but when I glanced at the clock it was past midnight.
Then l heard a sound. I sat up, heart pounding. The sound was faint, but unmistakable like the ocean was just beneath the floorboards. I swung my legs over the bed and padded quietly to the window. It was open, curtains swaying gently.
The moonlight spilled across Mira's side of the room and that's when I saw her.
She was standing by the window, back turned to me, her long hair dripping wet.
"Mira?" I whispered.
She froze.
For a second, she didn't move. Then she reached for a towel, slowly patting her hair dry without turning around. "Couldn't sleep," she said softly. "Went for a walk."
"In the ocean?" The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Her hand paused. "What?"
"I— I just… heard waves. Inside the room. I thought—"
She turned then, her expression unreadable in the moonlight. Her eyes shimmered like water. "You think too much, Lina."
And just like that, she climbed into bed, pulled the blanket over her shoulder, and closed her eyes.
But even after she fell still, I could hear it faint and far away.
The sound of the sea