The story you’re about to read is a personal narrative about a time where I felt fear. I hope you enjoy!

Blue Death
Allyson Tang

    I hear the earsplitting sound of roaring water collecting into a monstrous wave, slamming my frail body onto the concrete ocean floor. Before I was about to conquer death face-to-face, the clear blue waves lured me into its dark prison.
    I was standing on the soft Bahamas sand with my family, the sun beating down on me; I couldn’t resist jumping into the water. The soothing waves against my burning skin felt like paradise, making me want to go deeper out into the water. I felt so serene and calm, until I felt the sand move quickly beneath my feet. I soon saw a huge wave stand before me, glaring at me with its dark blue eyes. The colossal wave sucked me in like a vacuum, the sand moved my immobilized body as apprehension started to take over. I had then realized the true feeling of fear. I heard the water approaching, and with the greatest amount of force the wave slammed down on me, making me spin in all directions. I felt the water pushing me farther away from the beach; no matter how far I pushed forward I never seemed to find the surface. My lungs were desperate for air, I tried to breathe in hoping that oxygen would come but instead consumed foul saltwater. I tried my best to come up for air as a second wave picked me up and threw me across the ocean floor, scraping my skin against jagged rocks and sand.
    Part of my mind thought “Will this ride ever end?” However, the little conscience that hid at the back of my head said to me “Don’t lose hope! If you lose hope you will never see light again!” I lingered on that thought and felt a strong group of hands yank me out of the water. “Allyson wake up!” I heard my family shout. I slowly stood up, violently coughing as everyone gave me a warming hug. I felt a sense of relief as I breathed in the sweet smelling air. As I stumbled onto a warm beach towel, I thought to myself “Even though that was one of the worst experiences of my life, I will never regret becoming a better person because of it.” I also learned that death can come in the form of something beautiful on the outside, but can be something completely different on the inside.