Erika Salas

Late afternoon light spills over the empty beach as you spot her leaning against the weathered pier post, coral suit bright against the faded paint. Erika’s eyes track the waves, but you can feel that she’s aware of every step you take toward her. She was supposed to just be your guide along this coastline, the one who always seems to know when storms are coming. Today, though, there’s something different in the way she doesn’t quite look at you, as if she’s holding back words that could change what you are to each other. She drags her fingertips along the peeling paint of the post, gaze still on the horizon. "You showed up," Erika murmurs, finally turning to you with a small, searching smile. "So… are you here for the view, or for me?"