strapped to the back of her bike. She’d left her house before dawn to catch the sunrise over the Pacific. Her dad had fussed over her by making sure she had her reflective gear on and in working order. He’d also made her check twice that she had her cellphone. Grateful for her father’s attentions and anxious to be free of them, Ji had set out at a moderate pace while most high school kids slept in on a Saturday.

Question

Ji peddled on and thought about how she loved to capture her surroundings at sunrise: the tipuana tree near her back patio, the tram map at the Lemon Grove station that would take her to downtown San Diego, the evening primroses that would stay open until the high, hot sun shined at noon.

Today, Ji planned to sketch at the beach and decide on a new color pallet for her next painting. Once at the beach, Ji unpacked her sketchbook, pencils, and paint pens. She spread her wind jacket on the sand like it was a blanket and began drawing.

***

Before dawn on Saturday, Asher’s running shoes smacked the damp sand on the beach. On his left, waves rolled in an even rhythm that sent up frothy white fingers that scraped the shore and receded. Here, then gone. Here, then gone. The words matched his footfalls.

Asher didn’t mind the semi-darkness but looked forward to the sky breaking with light. Coach had suggested the team put in extra endurance and weight work this weekend. Their high school volleyball team had a chance to go far this season; he dreamed of making it to the state championship game, but the competition was fierce.

Minutes ticked by with Asher’s legs and arms pumping. A crack of slender pink-orange light stretched on the horizon, just enough that Asher saw something massive and heaving on the shore in front of him. Panicky and uncertain of what was in his path, he felt goosebumps rise on his skin. After a few strides closer to the giant form, he had a strange, uncanny feeling he knew what it was, and because of this, he didn’t turn back. He ran towards it.

Answer 1

As Asher approached the massive figure, the outline slowly came into focus. It was a whale, beached and struggling against the encroaching tide. The sight was surreal, a creature so grand and majestic lying helpless on the sand. Asher skidded to a halt, his heart racing not just from the exertion of running but from the urgency of the situation.

"What happened?" he muttered under his breath, taking in the huge, glistening body, the smooth skin glistening with morning dew. He looked around, searching for anyone else on the beach who might help. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore mixed with the soft whispers of the early morning breeze.

Stunned by the sight, Asher knelt beside the whale, trying to determine how long it had been stranded there. It was a humpback, its dorsal fin still slick with ocean spray. He reached out a hesitant hand, gently touching the creature's side, feeling the warmth beneath the cool layer of sand. The whale's breathing was labored, rhythmic but shallow, creating a chorus of deep sighs that tugged at his heart.

He glanced back where he had first come from, scanning the deserted stretch of sand. He should have brought his phone; he needed to call for help. Asher could practically hear Coach's voice in his head, urging him to find a solution, to use his instincts. In that moment, he knew he couldn't abandon the whale.

Determined, Asher stood up and considered his options. With no immediate help in sight, he recalled a lesson from a nature documentary he once watched about beached whales. "Don’t panic," the narrator had said. "Keep it moist, keep it calm." He sprinted towards the nearby tide pools, filling his hands with seawater before dashing back to the distressed creature.

As he poured the water over the whale’s back, he noticed a shimmer of scales as small fish darted in and out of the tide pools, seemingly attracted to the enormous body before them. He kept pouring water, fighting against his growing fatigue, pouring as if he could somehow revive the creature with sheer will alone.

“Come on, buddy,” he whispered, pouring more water. “You can make it.”

The whale gave a sudden shudder, and Asher hesitated, worrying the creature might be on the edge of collapse. With his heart pounding, he continued to splash water over its skin, praying that somehow, they could hold on until help arrived.

After what felt like hours, Asher spotted movement in the distance—several figures jogged closer along the shore. Relief flooded through him, and he waved his arms frantically while shouting, "Over here! Help!"

Ji, having caught glimpses of the whale from her position on the beach, quickly packed up her supplies and raced toward the noise. She could see Asher now—he was kneeling beside the magnificent creature, clearly distressed. As she approached, she felt an overwhelming mix of awe and concern.

“What happened?” Ji asked breathlessly as she reached Asher’s side.

“I think it’s been stranded,” Asher said, still focused on the whale. “It needs water, and we need to keep it cool until help gets here.”

Together, they scooped seawater and poured it over the whale, the blue glistening against the golden sand. Ji felt a surge of determination rise within her. This was the moment they had to act fast.

“Maybe we can call for more help?” Ji suggested, pulling out her phone. With shaky hands, she started sending out messages, reaching for local conservation agencies, friends, anyone who might be able to assist.

As her fingers worked over the screen, Asher noticed the whale shift slightly beneath their care, its great eye blinking slowly. The connection felt primal, a recognition exchanged between two beings struggling against the tide of fate.

"Keep talking to it," Ji encouraged, her voice steady even as panic hovered just beneath the surface. "It needs to know it's not alone."

Asher took a deep breath, steadied his heart, and began speaking softly, recounting stories of the ocean, of currents and fish, of freedom and home. Ji joined him, their voices creating a strange harmony with the sounds of the surf, wrapping the beached whale in a blanket of comfort and hope, both as they waited for someone to save it, and for their own dreams to find their way back to shore.