You left me on the shores of the aluminum sea, as you sailed off the edge of the world into a spill of metallic mist and stars. 

"Wait for me."

On the shore through the endless war, I watched for the shape of you outlined against the night.

Through the withering years, I counted your absence on heartbeats, asking the silent stars to bring you home.

The stars never answered. 

**Entry for su-SPEC-t flash fiction contest**