I Must Go Down To The Sea Once More…

613

Here’s my contribution to the one syllable story challenge.

 

It’s really difficult trying to write a story and concentrate on how many syllables your writing! Oh well I gave it a go…do I get my badge now? LOL

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“Starsk, come on,” groaned Hutch.

“Just a bit more time, huh?”

“How much more?”

“I have to find it.”

“Don’t think you will, pal.”

He watched from the shore as his best friend walked out to sea. His rolled up jeans and sleeves wet. He would stop for a while and feel through the sand with his foot. The sea was now too deep to feel with his hand.

“Starsk, come on.”

“I blame you for this.”

“Me?”

“You said to do it.”

“No. You asked if you could join me. We both did it.”

“You know how long I had that badge?”

“Same time as me, Starsk. The Chief gave you a new one, though.”

“I want the old one back.”

“The new one has more of a shine,” coaxed Hutch.

“I still want the old one.”

“It’s gone, Starsk. Give it up.”

He stood up straight and glared at his blond haired friend. “All I want is a bit more time to look. Is that too much? You go back and wait in the car if you want. I want to search for my badge. Think you could help me look, but oh no. Scared to get your cords wet in case you ruin them.”

“No need to get mad, Starsk,” smiled Hutch. “You know I have a date with Jane and have no time to change by the time our shift ends, and I will be late if you keep this up. I think you are in the wrong spot, Starsk. Think you should go to the left.”

“To the left? You think?”

“Yeah. You were on my left. Your badge should be that way.”

“It might just be, Hutch. Thanks.” He took a step to the left and fell in; he fell on his knees, up to his waist in the sea.

“You want me to throw you a rope?” laughed Hutch.

“No. I don’t need a rope, ‘cept to choke you with it.”

“Come on, Starsk. Next day off we can come back.”

He watched as his friend got up on his feet, a look on his face like when he solved a case. He reached down by his feet and pulled out a badge. “Got it,” he crowed.

“So can we go now?”

“Sure thing. Got what I came for, Hutch.” He came out of the sea and showed the badge off, a big grin on his face.

“Hate to spoil your day, Starsk’, but you found my badge.”

“How do you know?”

“My badge has a dent in it right at the top. See, there it is. Hey! I got my badge back. Thanks. Where are you off to?”

“To find my badge. It has to be out there.”

“Oh come on, Starsk. We need to get back.”

“You can say that. You got your badge back.”

“I will help next time we come down here, Starsk. Next day off we have.”

“You will?”

“You heard me say it. Next day off.”

“Hug might have one of those things to help find it. It would bleep if it found my badge. We need to come when the tide is out.”

“Sure thing, Starsk.”

They turned to go to the car. Hutch gave his badge a rub and put it back where it had been for years. He was glad to have it. He felt bad for his friend then. He knew how he felt. Next day off they had he would be here to help search. They walked past a boy who had made a fort out of sand. He had used a spade to shape it and had spent time on it. He took care where he placed each shell on it. He had picked some off the beach and had them in a pail. He chose the best to put at the top of the fort.

“My badge! Hutch, my badge!”

Hutch turned and a glint of light from the badge caught his eye. The boy must have found it on the beach.

“Hey!” the boy yelled. “Ma! My shell,” as the dark haired man took it. “Thief!” he yelled.

“What the…what are you up to with my boy?”

“Erm…nothing. He just had my badge and…”

“Stay there while I find a cop. Dan take my hand, come with me.”

Hutch got out his badge. “I am a cop…erm…”

“Day. My name is Anne Day.”

“Right,” smiled Hutch. “I saw it all. I will take this man in.” He got his cuffs and put them on his friend. “He will do time for this. I will see to it…Anne.” He gave her a smile to melt her heart.

“You need us to come with you?” sighed Anne.

“No. I saw it. My word will do. Just need to keep this…shell as proof of the crime.”

“If you say so…erm…”

“Ken. My name is Ken.”

“But my shell, Ma,” whined the boy. He got a nudge and was told to shut up or they would go home.

Hutch took the thief by his arm and pulled him back to the car. “Starsk, what the hell? You should have asked for your badge. Bought it off the boy if need be.”

“Did you have to cuff me, Hutch? You pinched my wrist. Take them off.”

“Not while Anne has her eye on us, pal. You got your badge back at least.”

“Yeah. Let me see.”

“When we are in the car, Starsk. Just wait. It’s like I have a kid of my own at times you know.”

“Is not.”

“Is so.”

“Got my badge back, Hutch.”

“Glad you did, Starsk'”

“It makes me think of all the times we have had.”

“It does?”

“Yeah. I just had to find it. Glad I found yours too.”

“Thanks, Starsk.”

“For the badge?”

“No. You’re my pal too, Starsk. I should say it more to you. My luck was in the day we met.”

“Mine too, Hutch. Mine too.”

With a quick glance, that Anne had gone, Hutch took the cuffs off. They both smiled and hugged. Then with a spring in their steps hit the streets once more.