Go back.

I turned to glance over my shoulder at the ocean. The moonlight drew a glistening trail out to sea. The warm water under the stars looked pretty inviting. Maybe she had gone for a midnight swim.

I walked down the beach toward the water, looking for signs that Linda had come that way. As I neared the water's edge, I saw what looked to be footprints leading into the water. Peering out past the surf, I scanned the gentle waves for Linda. There! I'm pretty sure I saw her out there. But she was out a ways.