Maria, an eight-year-old girl with long black hair was walking down the beach behind her
family's summer home. She looked out across the waves that rolled onto the sand with
deep brown eyes. Her skin was a slight tan and she wore a one piece, red bathing suit.
She turned to continue her walk when she stepped on something sharp.
"Ow!" cried Maria as she began hopping on one foot while holding onto her other one.
Maria looked down at her feet and spotted a shell sticking up from the sand. Maria
reached down and picked it up. As soon as she touched it, a mild tingling sensation went
through her.
"That was weird!" she said.
Maria looked up and noticed a group of teenage girls hanging out further down the beach.
Maria looked down at her feet and sighed.
"I wish that I was nineteen years old, then I wouldn't have to listen to my parents
anymore!" Maria said in a low voice.
Suddenly the shell began to glow in her hand.