A calming sight of waves breaking on yellow sand greeted him. The beach lacked the rocks and shells of a typical Washington beach. He tilted his head back and stared into the cloudless sky. It was still winter, but the weather was balmy. He searched the beach, and found only an abandoned lifeguard tower standing solitary on the vast stretch of coastline. A concrete barrier hugged the perimeter of the beach. Beyond the barrier were two-story bungalows and small shops. Towering above the structures was a huge wooden roller coaster: The Giant Dipper. He knew at once that he was in San Diego at Mission Beach. It was the same beach Jesse, his wrestling team, and Adam had traveled to during Spring Break of their senior year. They drove down in a small caravan in search of the quintessential vacation experience. Jesse wanted to see his friends tossing a football, or some women sunbathing: their glistening bodies only contained by thin strips of fabric. Yet, the beach was empty — an impossible sight on such a clear day.
