The Tide Came In

Lucia and Idris had walked out to the tide pools on the far side of the beach. They were chasing crabs and photographing anemones with Lucia's phone. They'd checked the tide schedule that morning. But somewhere between exploring one pool and then another, they'd lost track of time completely.

It was Idris who noticed first. "Hey, doesn't the water look closer than before?"

Lucia looked up from her phone and realized he was right. The narrow strip of sand that had brought them out to the rocks was now noticeably thinner. Small waves were already lapping at its edges. Panic crept into her voice. "We need to go, now."

They started back the way they'd come, moving quickly across the wet rocks. But halfway along, a wave rushed in and covered the path completely. It left only deeper water between them and the beach.

"We can't swim through that, not with the current this strong," Idris said. He scanned the rocks around them for another option.

Lucia spotted a higher line of boulders curving away from the water. It was further inland but still connected to dry land. "There, up on those rocks. It looks longer, but it should stay dry."

They scrambled up onto the boulders, gripping the rough stone with both hands. The tide continued rising below them. The path was slower and harder than the direct route. But it kept them safely above the water the whole way.

By the time they reached solid sand again, both of them were breathing hard. Lucia's phone had slipped from her pocket somewhere along the rocks.

"Small price to pay," she said, laughing with relief now that they were safe.

"Next time," Idris added, "we're setting an alarm for the tide."