**By The Sea**
The rhythmic sound of waves crashing on the shore intermingled with the gentle rustling of palm trees, roused Meirah from her slumber. She could taste the salt in the air as she slowly regained consciousness. As her eyes fluttered open, the vibrant hues of a sunlit room greeted her, dappled in shades of gold and turquoise, reflecting the sea outside.
She was lying on a simple, rustic bed made of white round wood, the same wood that constituted the walls and roof of the small cabin she found herself in. These logs were different from any she had seen before. Their unique fragrance was soothing, reminiscent of pine but with a more tropical undertone, perhaps from the specific trees that grew near the seaside.
Sitting up, Meirah took a moment to gather her bearings. A thin w
