Samantha (Corrections Officer)

i forced myself to continue each step feeling loud as i crunched over seashells and wet clumps of sand the voice shouted again this time louder and harsher like an angry outburst at the empty night it was clear that whoever was making that racket wasn't exactly sober

i forced myself to continue each step feeling loud as i crunched over seashells and wet clumps of sand the voice shouted again this time louder and harsher like an angry outburst at the empty night it was clear that whoever was making that racket wasn't exactly sober

i hunkered low and tried to keep the dune between me and the source of the noise hoping that if i stayed out of sight they'd never know i was there my flashlight beam flickered and i yelped under my breath images of it dying on me completely made me sick with worry the shouting abruptly changed tone taking on a desperate grumbling cadence

i hunkered low and tried to keep the dune between me and the source of the noise hoping that if i stayed out of sight they'd never know i was there my flashlight beam flickered and i yelped under my breath images of it dying on me completely made me sick with worry the shouting abruptly changed tone taking on a desperate grumbling cadence

It felt directed at me like I was being singled out by name, even though I couldn't make out any real words. My heart hammered as I imagined some unhinged stranger scanning the beach, ready to lash out at the first thing that moved. I ducked behind a small ridge of sand and cut the flashlight off for a moment, letting my eyes adjust to the murkiness.

It felt directed at me like I was being singled out by name, even though I couldn't make out any real words. My heart hammered as I imagined some unhinged stranger scanning the beach, ready to lash out at the first thing that moved. I ducked behind a small ridge of sand and cut the flashlight off for a moment, letting my eyes adjust to the murkiness.

the wind whipped my hair and i had to clasp a hand over my mouth to keep from breathing too heavily in that total near blackness time stretched i listened for any footsteps or the crunch of sand moving closer instead i heard more incoherent yelling there was a pause

the wind whipped my hair and i had to clasp a hand over my mouth to keep from breathing too heavily in that total near blackness time stretched i listened for any footsteps or the crunch of sand moving closer instead i heard more incoherent yelling there was a pause

and then some kind of shifting sound up in the dune grass like somebody crawling or stumbling around maybe they were dealing with their own confusion or anger but that didn't make me any less tense for a few seconds i debated turning back again and hiding but i had to face the fact that my only ride was in the same direction as that voice

and then some kind of shifting sound up in the dune grass like somebody crawling or stumbling around maybe they were dealing with their own confusion or anger but that didn't make me any less tense for a few seconds i debated turning back again and hiding but i had to face the fact that my only ride was in the same direction as that voice

so i pushed forward clutching the flashlight i took a wide detour around the dune my heart was pounding so hard i was convinced whoever was up there could hear it every few steps i'd freeze when i heard a louder shout or the distinct crunch of sand more than once i sank knee-deep into a wet spot cursing under my breath desperately hoping not to attract attention

so i pushed forward clutching the flashlight i took a wide detour around the dune my heart was pounding so hard i was convinced whoever was up there could hear it every few steps i'd freeze when i heard a louder shout or the distinct crunch of sand more than once i sank knee-deep into a wet spot cursing under my breath desperately hoping not to attract attention

i could finally see the faint silhouette of my car in the distance when i noticed a shape crumpled on the ground near it my pulse throbbed and i swallowed hard shining the weak beam ahead an arm then a leg somebody lay motionless in the sand My thoughts raced. Had they passed out, or was I walking into some trap? Drawing closer, I spotted a cluster of empty cans scattered around.

i could finally see the faint silhouette of my car in the distance when i noticed a shape crumpled on the ground near it my pulse throbbed and i swallowed hard shining the weak beam ahead an arm then a leg somebody lay motionless in the sand My thoughts raced. Had they passed out, or was I walking into some trap? Drawing closer, I spotted a cluster of empty cans scattered around.

The closer I got, the more detail I could make out. A guy, sprawled on his back, half his clothes soaked from the rain, mouth open, letting out the occasional incoherent mumble. The stench of alcohol was unmistakable.

The closer I got, the more detail I could make out. A guy, sprawled on his back, half his clothes soaked from the rain, mouth open, letting out the occasional incoherent mumble. The stench of alcohol was unmistakable.

this had to be the person who'd been hollering all that time the reason my nerves were shot he was out cold only stirring enough to let loose those random yells that had echoed across the beach relief washed over me but i couldn't ignore how uneasy i felt being so near him drunk strangers can be unpredictable so i skirted around carefully hoping not to wake him the sand sucked at my boots and i kept my flashlight aimed low to avoid flashing it in his face

this had to be the person who'd been hollering all that time the reason my nerves were shot he was out cold only stirring enough to let loose those random yells that had echoed across the beach relief washed over me but i couldn't ignore how uneasy i felt being so near him drunk strangers can be unpredictable so i skirted around carefully hoping not to wake him the sand sucked at my boots and i kept my flashlight aimed low to avoid flashing it in his face

My hands shook a bit while I fumbled for my keys. Part of me still expected him to jolt upright and confront me in his stupor. When I finally got my car door open, I hesitated, half expecting another outburst from behind. All I heard was the wind and the distant rumble of waves. The sense of relief was enormous, but so was the lingering dread of what could have happened if he'd been hostile.

My hands shook a bit while I fumbled for my keys. Part of me still expected him to jolt upright and confront me in his stupor. When I finally got my car door open, I hesitated, half expecting another outburst from behind. All I heard was the wind and the distant rumble of waves. The sense of relief was enormous, but so was the lingering dread of what could have happened if he'd been hostile.