Eversummer: The Forerunner Archives Book 1 Page 17

15.

  Two days later.

  "I love you, Juno Quinn."

  "I...I..."

  The tides rise higher, now coming up to and covering their ankles. When they'd arrived, the area around the Box was dry, soft beach sand. But the waves are getting bigger, more violent, even though there's no real wind to speak of at the moment.

  One wave rises up and crashes into Jude, causing his left leg to crumble, collapsing like a house made of sand. 

  "No!" she calls out, reaching for him. “NO!” But it's too late.

  Another wave strikes, this one bigger and foamier, causing Jude to crumble to a pile at his waist. He looks up at her, reaches for her, pleading. "Please, Juno. I love you!" He reaches for the Box, now half submerged, and his hand crumbles to sand when he touches it.

  "I...love..." she begins. But it's over.

  A final wave washes over Jude's disintegrating form and, when it subsides, he's gone. She falls to her knees, screaming, grabbing handfuls of mud. "No, Jude! No!"

  She feels a hand on her shoulder and spins, shrieking in surprise. It's Altair.

  "Wake up, Juno," he mouths. "It's time to wake up..."