15 minute fiction

The wind whipped at Andrea’s long black hair as she slowly made her way down the boardwalk. She wasn’t in any hurry – it would be hours before anyone wondered where she was, and the cold sea air was really helping to clear her mind.

So she strolled, breathing deeply, letting her hair fly, letting the wind envelope her. She was a million miles away, staring out over the waves as the water splashed against the rocks in the cove. The sound had always been a comfort, since she was a small girl.

All at once, Andrea’s breath was knocked free of her chest and she found herself sprawled on the hard ground. Dazed, she looked around to see what had sent her flying to the boardwalk. Then there was a warm, wet tongue in her face.

“Chocolate! No!”

The enormous dog was pulled away, with some struggle, and Andrea caught her breath, wiping slobber from her eyes, her nose, her mouth. Finally she looked up, prepared to rip this beast’s owner a new one, and her eyes met his. Her heart stopped, then sped to life again in her throat, making it impossible to speak.

“I’m so sorry about my dog,” the blonde Adonis said, hauling her to her feet with one strong arm.

She shook her head, tried to speak, looked from the man to the huge brown dog at the end of the leash he held.

“Bad Chocolate, bad,” he said, as if to reinforce just how sorry he was.

Still Andrea was speechless, a highly unusual occasion.

He frowned at her. “Are you okay? I’m really sorry about my dog, she’s just a little over-excited sometimes.”

“I’m fine,” she finally sputtered. Her voice sounded unusually high to her ears, forced and tight in her throat.

Still looking unsure, he took her by the arm and turned her around, looking her over, as she stood in bewilderment at why she was letting this strange man touch her like a familiar friend. His frown deepened as he noticed the blood running down her leg, coming from what looked to be a deep cut in her knee. “No, you’re not, you’re bleeding,” he said. “Let me help you, it’s all because of my stupid dog.”

Before she knew what was happening, he was sweeping her up into his arms and carrying her down the boardwalk, Chocolate trailing along behind. She didn’t even have time to argue.