Summer Shots

It was one of those days when even standing still would leave you blinded by the perspiration that bypassed your eyebrows on its way down your over-heated face. It was a day where your pit stains announced to the world the river of sweat that flowed underneath your shirt and no one could ostracize you for it. To wear more than one layer of clothing on a day like this should have been a crime. The heat wave was one to take away all of your energy, then leave you praying with your last strength that a breeze may come for momentarily relief.

No one was spared from the sun’s embrace. Children stayed in doors to worship their fans and air condition units, while older folks braced the heat of the outdoors in order to make their living. Those who weren’t so lucky to own a vehicle could be seen trudging along the scorching street. Applause should have been given to those who could differentiate whether or not it was the tar of the pavement or the soles of the working-man’s shoes that were melted by the unyielding heat. The heat practically took joy in making people hallucinate and doubt their vision as it bombarded them with a mirage of flickering images.

While bountiful trees encumbered heavily with a full summer’s bloom of leaves were not scarce on the Nature Isle of LaIsla, the shade they provided surely were. With no protection from the sun’s relentless attack, Clarissa, Donna, Kelsey and Bella decided that the beach was their best option. They wanted to continue their fun filled vacation and staying indoors just because of some heat was not on their agenda. After many days of heart racing excursions on LaIsla, a picnic on the beach sounded like the perfect way to spend the day and relax, as pitched by Kelsey.

LaIsla had many jaw-dropping beaches to choose from but time was of the essence. A moment longer in the heat and the girls felt as if they would never make it off their hotel room’s floor, in fear that their sweat soaked clothes would keep them glued to its surface. Not even the air condition on full blast was enough to save them. Hurriedly, they threw on their swimsuits, packed their bags and bolted to the nearest beach. There the girls quickly found an agreeable spot to call their own.

Embracing its radiance, the ocean glistened with the dazzling sun’s reflection upon it. Its body kept on swelling, creating arches that crashed upon the glimmering white sand. The sky in all its bright blue glory remained naked over head. Not a cloud could be seen. It was as if it took mirth in seeing the sun lash out at everyone with its heat.

Clarissa remained unaffected as the blazing sun beat down on her exposed back like a drum. Originally born and raised on a Caribbean island, she could handle the intense heat brought about by the Summer Solstice. Her friends; Donna, Kelsey and Bella, on the other hand were not so lucky. Before leaving the hotel Clarissa made sure to protect her caramel skin from the intense UV rays with non-greasy sunscreen and her beautiful brown eyes with an over-the-top, big, black and white sunglasses. With her barefoot tucked underneath the warm sand and arms around her knees, Clarissa sat serenely on the picnic blanket taking in the glorious view.

The ocean waters were so inviting. Many people could be seen taking part in various water sports activities like stand-up paddle boarding, wind sailing and surfing. Clarissa especially took to interest in the Asian couple having a great time kayaking along side each other. All were content at the beach. Children were building sand castles, teens were playing water polo and adults were taking advantage of their time off by leisurely swimming in the ocean. Although the summer breeze was still scarce, if one ignored the heat, it was practically a perfect day…Until it wasn’t.

A gun suddenly sounded and Clarissa was pulled out of here reverie. Petrifying dread took over the once joyous atmosphere and after a beat, the soulful laughter was washed over by chaotic terror. Parents grabbed their children, lovers grabbed their partners and ‘beach bros’ grabbed their booze. In the confusion, Clarissa lost sight of her friends. They tried to flee together but alas, they were separated by the panicked crowd.

Losing her footing, Clarissa unluckily fell at the feet of the semi-masked man, later identified as the cause of all this disarray. There was a spark of recognition in his eye indicating that he knew her but Clarissa, on the other hand, saw nothing but a stranger. Pulling her up by her medium-length, kinky hair that was neatly put up in a bun, he brought her face to his and placed the gun underneath her chin.

Before he could even utter a word, Clarissa wasted no time in channeling her Mix Martial Arts training. Having grown up to a military father, Clarissa has always been fascinated by different fighting styles and guns. It took her many years of begging to be trained by her dad. He was finally convinced when they moved Overseas. Clarissa made the inarguable point that moving to a foreign place so young was dangerous and teaching her to fight would benefit her in safety. Although her life was in danger, Clarissa couldn’t help being smug that her dad was wrong and she was right. Never did they imagine that she would have to use her skills to this extent.

Swiftly Clarissa brought her right knee to the burly man’s groin then dropped to the ground and swept her left leg under the man while she did a full turn. She successfully caught him off guard and smirked in achievement as he fell to the ground. In the brief moment she got off the ground two helpers of the semi-masked man came to restrain her. She punched the first guy in the nose before doing a roundhouse kick to the other’s face.

Unfortunately for Clarissa, they did not stay down. The first helper grabbed her by the arm and twisted it behind her back. To escape his hold she drew on her strength, back flipped over him then delivered a kick to his mid spinal column. She quickly followed through with a karate chop to his neck. He fell with a thud while she dropped to the floor again in order to evade an incoming punch from the second helper. He stumbled forward, giving Clarissa the opportunity to kick him in the back and send him face first into a sandcastle.

A shiny object caught Clarissa’s eye. She picked it up just in time to point it at the semi-masked man who was slowly creeping up behind her. There was no fear in his eyes, only amusement as Clarissa fumbled to remove the gun’s safety. That fumble made him feel as if she did not know what she was doing and that she had no confidence to shoot him.

Oh how wrong he was! Another gun sounded on that blazing hot day. While Clarissa’s father did give in to teaching her how to fight, he was adamant in her not learning how to handle guns; hence her fumble. With as much accuracy as she could muster, Clarissa tried to fire a warning shot behind her assailant. Her terrible aim cause the bullet to enter his foot instead of the pile of sand she intended for.

What a sight it was to see a grown man cry. The pain disregarded gravity and shot up though his body, leaving him a crumbled mess on the ground. In vain, he cradled his aching foot as he tried to place pressure on the wound. The once white sand was now stained red.

It was a serious situation, yet still Clarissa could not help the few giggles that escaped her mouth. Her intention was to create an opening and run from her attackers. Either she had overestimate the men or underestimate the power of fear mixed with adrenaline and a few years of Mixed Martial Arts lessons. Never did she think that she would be able to subdue a gunman and his lackey without getting a scratch on her… And apparently, neither did the police.

Showing up only when all the action had ended, a flood of red and blue lights flashed meters away from Clarissa and the injured men. Like a scene of a crime genre movie, they demanded that civilians clear the area, rolled up some yellow tape and took statements here and there. Injured people, including the three men were whisked away in the ambulance, Clarissa’s patience was tested and a forensic team came and left.

By the time Clarissa was cleared to leave, the sun no longer wished to remain in the sky. Slowly moving toward the ocean line, the day that never seemed to end was down to its last moments. The sky was no longer barren as fluffy clouds came to wish the sun farewell. Blue turned to orange with hints of pink and purple as Clarissa looked on to the horizon. Thankfully her account of what happened was taken at the beach and not at the station.

Once more she took the in mesmerizing sunset before her, as if taking a picture her mind, only to be interrupted by her distraught friends. Through relief laughter and concerned tears they embraced Clarissa. Their voices were a cacophony of questions, all ranging from what happen to if she’s okay. After going through many interrogation sessions with the police Clarissa didn’t feel like answering more questions.

Thinking back to what started the mess and what ended it, to put her friend’s minds at ease she simply said with a giggle, “These were not the summer shots I had in mind… let’s head to a bar!”