Joel watched as as the expression on the woman's face changed from mourning to hostility to rage. He felt confused, and slightly hurt - surely he hadn't done anything to warrant such a reaction. Since he spent most of his time around people who already knew and were friendly with him, Joel had forgotten the effect that his brutish appearance could have on others. 

She yelled at him with a powerful, resounding voice - not the voice of a young woman, but that of something old and fearsome. She cemented his impression of her when she dropped down into the water with the ease of a master. She didn't move like someone who was good at swimming; she moved like gliding through water was as natural to her as breathing. Joel didn't know who or what this person was, but he felt that it would be unwise to antagonize her. Unfortunately, he couldn't follow her instruction - nightfall was coming, and he couldn't possibly arrive home before dark if he had to blunder around in that forest. Even though he knew that it was futile, he made the hand sign for "sorry", then continued walking further onto the beach. Her hostile glare seemed to be burning him, but Joel didn't stop moving forwards. He optimistically hoped that she would just let him be on his way, or at least do nothing more than yell at him until he was gone.