The writing prompt for this piece was “I remember…”
I Remember…
I remember the day that it happened so long ago.
We were at the seashore, looking out at the turbulent waves rushing towards us on the shore. As they reached the shore, there was a loud crashing sound, the sand tossing in spirals in the air to match each wave. Each wave followed the other.
Then, as the sky darkened, it came. I’m not sure who saw it first, but the reaction to this bedraggled creature was the same. It was one of awe and fright.
As the creature, for that is the only thing it could be called, stood up, it stared at us. Its skin matched the undulations of the waves. Its color was the darkness of the sky. However, its face did not match the body it possessed. It was that of a child.
We stood frozen in place as this child/creature moved toward us. As it looked us over, it appeared to be examining us. It stopped before me and waited.
But what was it waiting for? We didn’t know. And then, it spoke.
My partner and I looked at each other. At the same time, we both said. “It spoke in …” I said, “English’. My partner said, “German.”
It wanted to know where it was and who we were.
I explained that we were humans, and my partner, a language teacher, more curious than me, spoke in French, “Nous vivons aux États-Unis sur une planète appelée Terre.”
The creature nodded. It said, “Thank you.” This time, we heard it in English and French.
We had so many questions, but it did not stay to hear them. It just turned and faded back into the sea.
As it disappeared, the darkness receded, and the waves dissolved into a calm.
It has been 7 years since that day. Neither of us wishes to talk about it, unsure if it ever happened. But I can assure you I remember the day that it happened so long ago.
