Tuesday, October 18, 2016

WEP - SEA MONSTERS





SEA MONSTERS

A dream. That's all, just a dream. I crawled under the blankets and fell into a deep sleep despite the last vision in my head. Sea monsters don't exist. I know that, and yet, I'd swear that I just saw two, except I'm sick, and it's the middle of the night. Nightmare, that's all I saw, a waking dream. The medication that allowed me to sleep had created one doozy of a hallucination.
Green slimy monsters had come up out of the waves and carried off several tourists. They walked right past my patio as I sipped a cup of tea in the dark. Different shades of green on a human-like body with scales and fins, horns, and gills. Large eyes that glowed yellow. I could hear voices, or maybe it was thoughts. I never saw their mouth move except in that kissing fish kind of pout, in and out, in and out. Creepy and fascinating at the same time.
As the sea creatures carried their victims into the ocean, I heard their conversation in my head. Maybe I gave them voices. Isn't that what you do in dreams? The smaller one complained about the weight of his victim, the hours they labored, and the wages they made. Typical drudge worker complaints. I thought it was funny. I'd had some of the same complaints before I made my recent move to the beach. A move I'd worked years for and now that I'd achieved my goal, I was too sick to enjoy it. So goes life; two-steps forward, one-step back.
When I awoke, the sun was high in the sky. Warming rays filled the room. I stretched, threw off the blankets, and stumbled to the patio. Vacationers were soaking up the sunshine, playing water sports, and flying kites. The world looked normal, and I felt almost human. I plodded to the refrigerator for a Diet Coke and drank half the bottle in the first swig. Thirsty, I guess because my fever had finally broken.
I'd moved into my condo three days before and promptly came down with the flu. I hadn't even dipped my toes in the water. But I would remedy that today. Flu or not, I had to at least get some sand between my toes, so shorts and a crop top were put on. That new string bikini would have to wait. I still needed to lose twenty pounds I'd put on during the winter cold up north. I ran a brush through my tangled hair, finished my coke, and hurried outside. The sun on my skin felt healing, but the icy feel of the sand on my toes stopped me in my tracks.
To my shock, I was standing on strands of seaweed. A species that didn't exist anywhere but at the bottom of the sea. The same color green that I'd seen the night before. Only then, it had been hanging off the slimy creatures carrying off the tourists. I shivered and backed into my condominium. Quietly, I slid the patio door closed and double locked it. I closed the blackout curtains, then began moving furniture and unpacked boxes against the door and windows.
I worked up quite a sweat and felt silly. I knew I was overreacting. Monsters don't exist. Confused and exhausted, I fell back onto my unmade bed, curled up, and fell into another deep sleep. So much for sun and sand.
This time, when I awoke, night had fallen. Thirsty and hungry, I ate a candy bar and a bag of chips while I sucked down another Coke. Oh hell, there goes the diet. I didn't turn the lights on, but I did open the curtains and the patio door. Sitting in the dark, I watched the waves and admired the full moon and the dancing light that rolled across the waves. Convinced the flu had warped my mind, I finally relaxed and considered a midnight swim to prove that I wasn't afraid of sea monsters.
Then I heard their voices or was it their thoughts. I'm crazy pure and simple, but I had to listen.
"I can't believe they sent us back for the little girl's teddy bear. Ridiculous."
"They want her to grow up happy. Happy children make happy meals."
Laughter.
"That's so true. Plus when you fill them up with all that processed food, they make the seaweed rolls so much sweeter."
"Speaking of seaweed rolls. Last night, I spotted a cute chubby blonde in the lower unit. Maybe we should grab her, too. I'm hungry, and it is lunch time."
~~ Yolanda Renée © 2016 ~~
769 Words / FCA

I hope you found my story entertaining. I did move to the beach, and I was sick that first week, but I did not see any monsters. However, I was inspired by both the illness and the fact that it's Halloween.
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41 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Oh my.
Yet another reason to step away from processed food. And, for a change, to be grateful I am a long way from the beach.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

You moved to the beach! You lucky dog, you. I thought you were just visiting. My offer to help clean the place up still stands.

If being chubby from junk food draws in the sea monsters, I may be in trouble!

Deborah Drucker said...

This could dampen my enthusiasm for vacations on the beach. Don't want to end up in a seaweed roll even though I do like sushi. Don't want to be sushi! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

LOL! Hi, EC. I'm back at the beach and not afraid of sea monsters, well, maybe a little, at least until after Halloween! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Yolanda Renée said...

Yup, made the move. Now all I have to do is sell the house in PA. Love it here, well, except for the Hurricane's but with the early warnings. I think I can outrun them. :)
LOL! Yes, all us chubby folks are on the menu! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Nah, I'm back and not the least bit afraid. :) Hi, Deborah. No one wants to be sushi, but it did sound like a fair exchange!

Rachna Chhabria said...

You lucky, lucky lady, you moved up to the beach. I am super envious of you :(

Denise Covey said...

Heh, Yolanda, you made this move work for you. Great inspiration. Great twist. But I think you should get out before you get eaten...LOL! Fresh story for Halloween! :-)

Unknown said...

Ah, I'd love nothing more than to live by the beach.

Of course, I'd just be disappointed by the lack of sea monsters.

What a fun and creepy story!

Nicola said...

Great story, Yolanda. I actually love deep fried seaweed :) It must be lovely to hear the waves rolling in and those monsters... the ocean is full of them - beware! :):) Thanks for sharing.

Pat Hatt said...

haha and if I needed another reason to avoid the giant litterbox, going there may get me eaten and buried in it. Those sea monsters must bring the real estate values down too.

farawayeyes said...

Sea monster you hear in your head; YIKES! Anyone who has been sick can relate, but the reality of a nightmare in the light of day is true Halloween fare.

Yolanda Renée said...

It's a beautiful place to go the sleep and wake up to each day! Thanks, Rachna!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey, Denise! Not the least bit afraid. It's too lovely to be! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

On a moonless night, you'd be surprised by what you can find. :)
Thanks Arpan, that's high praise coming from you - the master of the macabre!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Nicola,
I'm actually allergic to seaweed and anything from the ocean. So my wish is, if I do get eaten, that they get a terrible case of hives in return! :)
Thanks for stopping by!

Yolanda Renée said...

You've got that right! But the beauty is amazing and so worth the possibility of meeting a sea monster! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, faraway:
Welcome back and tobthe WEP Challenges. Loved your story!

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Yolanda
Haha...seaweed and monsters. That makes a trip to the beech scary. Well written.
Nancy

Olga Godim said...

Ouch. I'm never going to a beach again. On the other hand, I'm not chubby, so maybe I'd be safe from the slimy monsters. There is always hope...

L.G. Keltner said...

Ending up as a part of a sea monster's seaweed roll doesn't sound like a good way to die. Fun story!

Congratulations on the move! It's funny how real life can inspire great stories, isn't it?

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Nancy!
I'm glad you found it funny, that's what I was going for!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Olga:
Depends on how hungry they get. We throw some of them back maybe they'll do the same with us. :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Laura:
It is isn't it.
Ending as someone's sushi, oh yeah, a horrible end! :)

Ann Carbine Best said...

A great Halloween story, Yolanda. One that might spook me the next time I nibble some seaweed that I think is supposed to be good for you. :) You have a fun imagination. Love the gorgeous photo. I also liked the senior high Halloween experience you shared on my post. I like this Challenge.

D.G. Hudson said...

Humans as part of the 'food chain' is something we forget or don't like to consider. (but the alligators, lions, and sharks do not) I liked this story and the humour. Hearing the thoughts of your killer or pursuer would be beyond creepy.. .

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Ann.
I've always loved Halloween and am blessed to have many great memories of the holiday! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, D. G. we are, aren't we. Thanks, I was laughing when I wrote it. Glad you appreciated that! I figured at least one species would communicate that way, but it would definitely be creepy!

Nilanjana Bose said...

Creepy, and fun! As usual. You've got me rethinking the scare quotient of sea monsters and processed food. Not good to end up in a seaweed roll....and I live on an island! :) I do like your Halloween stories.

Laura Clipson said...

I've never been afraid of sea monsters - until now! Great job, don't think I'll be going to the beach any time soon!

Bish Denham said...

Oh, good one Yolanda! Creepy, creepy, creepy! If she disappears will anyone notice? (And I managed to enter in this hop!)

Bish Denham said...

Oh, good one Yolanda! Creepy, creepy, creepy! If she disappears will anyone notice? (And I managed to enter in this hop!)

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Nila, it was fun to write!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Laura, but they don't exist, honest! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

I saw that, Bish, welcome aboard! Such fun!

cleemckenzie said...

Suitably spooky and fun at the same time! I'm at the beach now and rethinking that walk along the shoreline.

desk49 said...

Watch out for
what lives below
For mercy they
will not show

for it don’t
take a lot
to end up
in their crockpot

Yolanda Renée said...

Go for it! LOL They only hunt at night. Thanks, Lee! Hope you enjoy your visit!

Yolanda Renée said...

Love it, thanks, Ellis!

dolorah said...

"happy meals"

Thats just too precious. I think the blond should sneeze a lot - probably on the run :)

I didn't post for WEP; sorry. Got busy writing two other stories, hopefully they'll get accepted into the anthologies. I'm so rusty at writing now.

Loved this story Yolanda.

HBF said...

I definitely got the Halloween vibes and enjoyed the twist at the end :o)