Discovery

To avoid the holiday rush I parked further along the road where there was no beach access. A dozen yards behind me a car emitted a shrill beeping like a triggered alarm. I grabbed my bag and began to climb down between the mangroves. Clutching a branch for balance as I navigated the shifting sand, I found etched in the bark a pair of initials. My fingers caressed the wound crusted over by salt and time.

No. 175