The Sentinel

The Sentinel had stood guard at the beach for as many years as anyone could remember.

In times of war, his rock steady gaze remained fixed on the horizon searching for enemy sea craft. When the hot sand was full of bathers, he scanned the beachscape for thieves, pickpockets, and other disturbers of summer's tranquility. If a beachgoer fell ill, he would quickly spot him or her and instantly summon aid. 

But there is no longer war, crime's eradicated, and illness has been abolished.

Yet the Sentinel still stands guard. What does he watch for? What is his mission? 

"There!  100 feet out, to the left!  An eight year old peeing in the ocean!"

The Sentinel had stood guard at the beach for as many years as anyone could remember.

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No matter how long I stood sentinel over this post,  I could not get it down to the preferred length of 100 words for the Fabulous Friday Fictioneers. So I am presenting arms herein at 131 words, with picture prompt above and story based upon it below.

When you're ready to stand at attention and scan the horizon for the other Fictioneers, fix your rock steady gaze right here.

Well, I'm headed for the beach;  gotta go to the ... ooops!  That's a bit of TMI, I guess.  I'll be on guard for you guys next week.

A Day at the Beach

He had always loved the beach.

Sitting by ocean's edge, feeling the sun upon his skin, splashing into the water, riding the waves. And buying ice cream about mid-day from the pony-tailed man yelling 

"Eskimo Pies!  Get your Eskimo Pies," 

and looking at all the pretty girls in their skimpy bikinis, always getting progressively younger.  Well, not much he could do about that.

Damn near perfect.  Each and every time.

Even the walk itself over the boardwalk bridge to the vast expanse of seemingly endless sand before him normally filled him with anticipation and delight. 

Unfortunately,  today he was playing golf. 

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Picture prompt above, story below, 1oo words .... Yep, I  finally hit the exact mark for prescribed words for my contribution to the Fabulous Friday Fictioneers and Magical Mystery Tour for this, the fourth week of January, 2013.

Roll up for the Friday Fictioneers, Step Right This Way to the other contributors by clicking the link above.  And see you at the beach!