I was swimming in the ocean, waves cresting overhead. My toes squished in the sand and the sun warmed my face and the top of my head. It was glorious.
And an alarm was going off.
I pushed off with my legs and launched my body forward into the water, splashing gracelessly, headfirst. When I emerged, laughing, I shook the water from my face and did a single backstroke before the waves shifted me back forward towards the beach.
And an alarm was going off.
Up on the beach, I could see the silhouettes of my family. They were waving me back to shore. Reluctantly, I moved their direction –
And an alarm was going off.
I opened my eyes and sat up in bed, alone. The blaring alarm filled the entire house. Where I was alone.