He left the last small piece of the cookie not far below him on the slope. He looked on as the sea rat was coming back to his direction. It stopped at an arm-length further below. He’s not sure if it smelled the cookie. But he just watched. It kept turning its head in every direction every three seconds or so, but after a while it continued treading the length of the wave-barrier. It got big white hairs on its tail, so it must be the same one. He’s not too sure, it’s dark in this part of the shore he can only tell colors in black and white.

It was already dark when he woke up. He was half-awake when he felt something moving on top of his thigh, when he opened his eyes and raised his head and leg a little, a rat jumped and ran down the slope.

That was enough to fully wake him. Sitting down facing the sea he could barely tell whether the lights on the horizon were those of the ships or of faraway buildings. The surrounding noise was different now. People at a distance behind him chattering, he could only hear faint voices, but that didn’t matter because they spoke in languages he didn’t understand.  He turned around; families having barbecues, children playing hide and seek; all wearing black and white. No faces were visible because of they’re all sillhouttes, further in the background all the lights had been turned on in the restaurant, cafes and clubs.

He must had been napping for at least an hour. There’s no watch so he said to himself it must had been an hour for he remembered he was just lying around serenading himself under what’s left of the afternoon sunlight. I should’ve memorized the lyrics, so instead of humming them i can actually sing them and feed my mind a bit on trying to understand the words. Those are good songs. How many did I do?

He grabbed the cup and felt the straw feeling for some sand sticking to it. The sandwich was half finished; it was not as delicious as the ones he had many times before. Should’ve chosen my favourite fillings and toppings. But that doesn’t matter. In an hour or so I’ll be hungry and anything goes when you’re hungry. The cookies were cold and not crispy anymore.  He took a bite to pass the time. Too sweet.