Embers

Julian hated the beach at night. A shiver ran through him, gazing into the claustrophobic darkness around the bonfire. He inched closer to its warmth and tried to focus on his friends, chatting and laughing, still riding the high from graduation ceremony. He was too. Of course he was. Just occasionally sobered by the bitter seaside breeze that whipped his jacket against him.

A man’s voice outside the circle of firelight made him jump. “You guys have to leave. Beach is closed for the night.”

One of his friends called back, “There’s no gate or anything.”

“It’s a public beach. It has hours.”

“You a security guard or something?”

A pause. “No, but you can’t—”

“Then tough shit,” another friend yelled. “We’re celebrating! Woooo!”

From the rest of the group came a slew of echoes. “Woooooooo!” Julian laughed and joined them. It seemed enough to drive the voice off; he could hear footsteps retreating. “It’s a public beach, it has hours,” one of his friends mocked. “And the medal of valor goes to…” said another. Julian laughed and peered into the darkness. Could the voice be leaving to call the police? Encircled by the night, they wouldn’t be able to tell until the cops showed up. His mind latched onto the image of the bonfire being invaded.

Eventually, one of his friends yawned and checked his phone. “I have to get home. I can’t sleep in tomorrow. Abbie’s having her grad party at noon.”

Another friend started to fold his beach chair. The night was ending. The group began to disappear into the darkness and Julian followed them, meandering through the parking lot. Julian sank into his car and glanced back at the remnants of the fire, a dull orange glow that sputtered in the sand but remained visible. He wanted to return to the bonfire. But if he did, the man from earlier might return – “I thought I told you to get out of here.” Julian thought he saw the man’s figure dart in front of the fire and melt back into the dark. And even if Julian held his ground to the man like they had earlier, what then? The fire only had a few more moments before it crumbled into cinder anyway, and then he’d just be alone, surrounded by the cold sand and whispered crashing of waves.

He settled into his car. The group had left. He’d see them later, he supposed.