The-TDB-Foundation

“I remember . . . I remember the hair mostly. Magnificent hair . . . like a dream . . .” her voice trailed off for a second, lost in thought. “The sun shone through it ever so slightly, bathing the sand beneath her feet in an effervescent bubblegum-glow. Oh, to see it again. It was . . . I think majestic is the only word. Massive and free and fly-away. Impossible and big, and freely mingling in the wind, as if it had never known the tether of being pulled to mother earth.” Again, the girl’s words trailed off for a second, like she was trying to remember some half-forgotten dream of experiences rather than words. “I don’t . . . I can’t say if any part of her knew the earth now that I say it out loud. I think maybe . . .” she trailed off for a third time. “I think maybe her feet weren’t even with the rest of ours in that beach sand. I think they just hovered above it, like they were too good for touching the ground . . . maybe they were. Her toes . . . I think they just . .

Agent Benson flicked a few yen into the vending machine and thumbed the button for a Coca-Cola. The beverage dropped out and he grabbed it. Japanese soda always felt weird to him. He supposed it was the size, 500ml, not the twelve ounces he was used to. Didn't feel right in his hand. He was probably just nervous. Was this the time that Korhonen wouldn't show up? Or betray him? Benson tried to steady himself as he turned the corner, odd-sized coke in hand, and stared out at the ocean. This small Japanese town didn't have a proper beach, just a seawall that separated ocean from urban. But he still liked to come here when he had a chance. He leaned against the railing and sipped his coke and thought about going to the Ramen place down the road once his meeting was over. "Decent view, isn't it?" came the somewhat familiar voice. Benson tried not to jump out of his skin. He didn't even turn to the newcomer. He needed to project being casual. Sharks could sense fear and all