The Red Tide Algae

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The girl fell into the water and we froze her arms and legs. Her eyes were open and she came with us. We swept her under. We left the seagulls and ducks dead on the shore. It was not blood, it was only us in the years of the ten plagues. It’s only us, we said to the boy we took from the sandy beach. Don’t worry, it’s only us. He could not breathe, but we rocked him and rocked him until he was still. They floated together, boy and girl, still and quiet, the water so warm, and we were happy.