~~~~
It was a cold autumn day, the
seashore was quiet, with only the occasional sound of a car from the nearby
road. A Beachcomber walked along by the sea. They were on the hunt for anything
valuable that may have been washed up by the storm from the previous night.
Their search proved fruitless until the stumbled upon a rare sight. A shipwreck
had washed onto shore, rusted, old and torn from age.
It was a modestly sized ship, like
any docked at a small town harbor. The Beachcomber was delighted, however. As
the first on the scene, he had first rights to everything he saw. Deep inside
he knew he should report such a find to the authorities, and he planned to do
as such. That didn't mean he couldn't pilfer the site, it was his finder's fee
he told himself.
The Beachcomber made his way up to
the dilapidated ship. He brushed aside the scum and seaweed which obscured the
boat's name. "Second Wind," it read, the letter's faded and cracked.
The Beachcomber chuckled at the eerily familiar name. Next, they moved aboard
the ship, ready to find their prize.
The deck was filthy, coated in rust
and a possessed moldy stench. The Beachcomber plugged his nose and tried to
avoid the many puddles of seawater that collected along the deck. They searched
high and low for any remnants of the crew's possessions, but the deck was a
wasteland. To their luck, they spied a large hole in the hull that stretched up
into the deck.
The Beachcomber spied into the
ship's interior, it was pitched black and featureless. With the only sound being
the movement of water. The Beachcomber entered carefully and scoured through
the interior. In the far corner, at the bow of the ship, a small bit of light
illuminated a set of crates and boxes. The Beachcomber rubbed their hands
together and poured over their treasure.
To their frustration, they found
only fishing rods, ropes, and lures. They cursed their luck until they saw
buried behind all of the crates was a most curious item. A cage, large enough
for a man, perhaps even a bear, was trapped in the corner. The beachcomber felt
a spot of concern well up in their chest. Fearful they'd find a dead animal or
worse in the cage.
Against their better judgment, they
observed the cage closer. Yet, they could see nothing in the darkness. However,
they could hear something breath. It was no natural breath it was quiet but
rough. The Beachcomber was puzzled but quickly concluded a small animal had
nested in the boat.
To their misfortune that was not the
case. Instead, as they peered ever closer a single eye opened from within the
cage. This single, yellow eye stared right back at the Beachcomber and pierced
into their soul. The Beachcomber sweated but thought they were still fine.
After all, whatever the creature was it was trapped in the cage.
The Beachcomber backed away slowly,
the light behind the shifted as they moved. As their eyes better adjusted to
the dark, they realized to their horror in this altered light the cage was
open. The bars along the sides had all rusted off, and the obscured creature
within the cage had begun to move.
~--~
"Reports are coming about the
missing ship the Second Wind. It has finally been found," the newscaster
announced. "The shipwreck washed along the eastern shore sometime last
night. The ship first disappeared about one month ago on its maiden voyage.
Police are already on the scene investigating the wreck. However, questions
still remain. Despite the ship only going missing recently, reports state the
ship has suffered years worth of wear and rust. Experts have yet to speak on
the matter. The police are more interested in the whereabouts of its missing
crew of five. More at 11."
~~~~
Only two nights remain, there horrors will reach their height so very soon.
Until then, Read, Comment and Enjoy.
Until then, Read, Comment and Enjoy.
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