A steep, narrow staircase wound down the side of the cliff, steps cut into the very face of the rock itself and slick with sea spray. The thin metal railing that ran the length of the steps gave little comfort as Derek clung to it—the rickety railing shuddered when a hard wind blew in off the waves, and the cold metal chilled his bare hand. He watched his feet as they picked their way down the steps, his sneakers growing wet as he found his footing. Below them, harsh waves struck the rocky shore, then dragged back out to sea to throw themselves at the beach again. The air was heavy with salt water—it pressed like a damp cloth to Derek’s face, threatening to steal his breath away.
He slipped on a cracked step and his shoulder twisted painfully as he gripped the railing to keep from falling
