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Between land and sea i noticed that i no longer missed him. With a cold winter air and my whole body shivering. That would be poetic, wouldn't it? Unfortunately i still very much miss him. I miss his wise gaze and stupid laugh, his beautiful smile and the way he made me a better person. My name is Azra, and I'm dead. I have been for a few months i believe, time is a little tricky when it doesn't affect you anymore. I used to live with my family we have a small shack near the sea, where i lived with my little brother, mom and uncle. There is a boy that i love. Or loved? I don't know how to refer to my ghost state, if I'm being honest. His name is Rowan.
But I'm doing my best to stop thinking about him. I have to. So- i started building sand castles.
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It's been ten years since Azra died. Mom died not long after, she became weak and sad and that pretty much sums it up. My name is Chris. And Azra is- was, my older sister. My uncle and i have been alone ever since.
"Chris?! Where are you?! You're not getting a roof under your head for nothin'!"
Or should I say I've been alone ever since.
"Yeah, uncle nate, I'm here. What is it?"
"Haven't i told you already?! I need you to get more shifts in the mines, kid. We have to live somehow."
"Can't you get a job as well?"
"I'm just... Still not over Arzi."
"Azra. Her name was Azra."
I shook my head. I've had enough of this. I took my bracelet and left the house. Unfortunately I find myself standing Infront of the mines. Why am i so obedient?
The mines have a filthy smell that i can't quite put into words. But i got a headache almost immediately. Even after all this time I'm not used to it, i quickly put my scarf around my nose and mouth like a mask. Mom used to say i look like a ninja when i do it.
....
I continued to the entrance. A girl was there, she didn't look at my face but she was about to wave and greet me with a friendly smile. When she saw my face she instantly looked away and turned her head. I didn't take it personally, i don't have a great reputation in the village.
The mining sounds were deafening.
"Hey Mell!"
She didn't hear me.
"Mell!"
...
"MELL!"
"WHA Hey Chris! Did you forget something?"
Mell is an elderly woman that runs the mines. Or anything important in the village, really. Unlike her small old frame she has a lively spirit and a lot people looking up to her.
"I was wondering if you could give me extra shifts."
"Straight to business i see" she laughed. I didn't get it.
"Oh, you're serious? You know I can't do that hon. I have mouths to feed i can't up your payments."
I nodded all throughout her speech about hardwork and hope and whatever. Until she said something interesting.
"So the job i can give you is at the beach. There are random sand castles appearing everywhere. The kids are scared they say its a ghost. If you take care of it, it'll be good for my husbands surf business. Especially in winter... Check it out, eh?"
And here i am standing at the beach. I am obedient, and i hate it.
I felt dizzy as i saw the red headed girl building sand castles, whistling. I was about to puke. The same eyes. The same chubby cheeks. There was no mistake. This was Azra. As if preserved in ice, god she looks exactly the same. More importantly she looks alive. But how? Azra died ten years ago.
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Finally! Someone was visiting my beach!
There was a young man that looked about four years older than me. He had black hair and pale skin. His eyes, they were stunning like embers. He- he looked a lot like my dad. He had moles all over his skin and a couple of scars. Scars that oddly enough i recognised somehow. Do i know this guy?
He was wearing a bracelet, a single red twisted string with a small seashell charm. I could recognise that art everywhere, considering i am the artist. This was the bracelet that i gave my little brother Chris on his fifth birthday. I smiled at the memory. Why does this guy have his bracelet? And his eye colour? And his scars?
This **was** chris. But how can it be? He looks eighteen- not eight.
"Azra..?" His voice was shaking and it had a sharp edge as if he's not used to speaking loudly, as if he just woke up after a long, long sleep.
I swallowed. "C-chris?!"
Tears ran down his cheeks.
"Azra! Y-your'e here! I- how is this possible? What's happening?"
"Whoa there" i quickly said.
"How are you that old?" I went pale, or see through maybe? I had a corpse colour even when i was alive.
"How long have i been dead?"
Now my own voice was shaking.