The sun blazed over the empty beach, making the waves glisten like shattered glass as they rolled softly against the sand.
The water crept forward, pulling back before crashing again, each wave stretching farther, licking at a man’s legs, then his chest, then finally his tattoed neck and face.
The moment the saltwater touched his lips, he coughed violently, choking as he rolled to his side, hacking up brine and blood.
His eyes snapped open, unfocused at first, the bright light slicing into him like knives.
His chest rose and fell in ragged gasps, sand sticking to his skin, to the scars that marred his torso.
His dark hair clung to his forehead, dripping saltwater into his eyes as the waves continued to reach for him, pulling him, whispering like ghosts.
He blinked, trying to piece
