Inspired by Saturdays photo prompt…..

Marisha stood on the damp sand and stared out to sea. Normally, on a clear day, you could see Essex. But not today, as a dense bank of fog swept its way, creeping silently up the Thames Estuary. She shivered, as her skin was splattered with fine droplets of water, spray from the waves. Invisible to the naked eye, but picked up by every hair on her bare arms.

She walked slowly towards the water. Stumbling on stones that shifted beneath her bare feet. Every few steps she winced, as something sharp met with her sole.

Stopping at the edge of the murky waves she watched the water lap at her feet, beckoning her forward. Glancing around, she checked to make sure she was alone. It was unusual for anyone to be on this part of the beach in October, especially at 6am.

Her teeth chattered as the water lapped at her ankles. The biting cold was painful. It felt like the waves could reach through her skin to her bones. With her long black hair trailing behind her she walked forward until the water was up to her waist. Just a few steps more, that was all it would take. She found herself wondering which one would end her 18 years? The water or the bitter cold?

A dog barked in the distance. She turned, and for a brief moment panicked, losing her courage. Whoever said this was the cowards way out? But what was the alternative? Go back home? No, she couldn’t bare to bring so much shame on her family. She was still in shock that her father had actually had her followed. When he threw the photographs at her and called her a whore she had fled the house. Tears welled I’m her eyes when she thought of Tom. The photos had shown their brief kiss. That was all it had been.

She’d known the risks when she’d agreed to go on the secret date. Tom was nice, she’d known him since school. when he’d asked her to go to the cinema, she’d jumped at the chance. Marisha just wanted to be like any other English girl, but deep down she knew she never could be. It had all been a fantasy. For Marisha had been promised to a Prince, since the day she was born.

Rather than give you a photo today I thought I’d embed this. It’s a video I took about a year ago. A place called Allhallows, where I use to spend all my holidays as a child. It’s in Kent, and on a clear day you can see Essex 🙂

Awwwww, poor Marisha 😦 you know I just can’t help it lol. Who is the person with the dog? (I have my own theory) and will Marisha go through with it?

Any comments and suggestions are most welcome?

This is the piece I wrote in response to the phone box prompt I posted on Saturday 🙂

I tried to do a happy little tale, I really did lol

Tanya removed her stilettos and tiptoed barefoot along the pavement. She laughed, as if walking on tiptoe would somehow prevent her stepping onto something sharp.

How stupid she felt, forgetting her mobile phone and why the hell had she chosen the 5inch Louboutin’s for a drink with Anthony, the office womaniser?

Up ahead was a phone box, the light inside, a welcoming sight in the darkness. Clutching her shoes to her chest she quickened her pace. As she pulled open the door she was greeted by the stench of urine. Gagging, she put her hand to her nose and leant inside. “Oh bloody great!” She cursed as she realised the cable to the handset had been cut.

The evening had already been a disaster. Anthony, spending most of it with his hand sliding higher and higher up her thigh with each gulp of his Guiness.

Tanya looked up and down the deserted road. If Anthony had been any kind of gentleman he would have at least made sure she was safely in a cab before heading off in the direction of town. It almost made her wish she’d accepted his offer of a drink at his place.

She let the door of the phone box swing closed and turned, to walk back to the bar. From behind she heard a noise, shoes on gravel. She froze, as an arm came across her face and wrapped around her throat. In her confusion she hadn’t noticed the hand, now firmly clamped across her mouth. The skin was clammy and smelt of smoke.

She tried to scream, twist, turn, kick, dropping her designer shoes to the wet pavement. The arm that was around her slipped effortlessly to her chest and tightened, pinning her arms to her sides.

************************************

“Where’s Tanya.” Sue asked Anthony as he arrived at the office, late as usual. He shrugged.
“Why you asking me?”
“Ummmm, because you went for a drink with her last night? She’s not in yet, she’s never late.” Sue looked at her watch.
“Yeah, so, we had a drink! Then we went our separate ways, frigid bitch!”

Sue stood speechless as she watched Anthony pick up his post and remove his jacket. She couldn’t help but wonder about the large plaster on his hand, between his thumb and index finger.

Oh dear, I think something nasty has happened to Tanya….but the question is…..is Anthony guilty? 😉