Blue Meridian by rhoan41

Blue Meridian
by
� rhoan41

Sid Riker let out a big sigh that could only mean more trouble for his ailing freighter service that he operated out of Lisbon.   With his back against an unpainted wall, Sid had piled himself in a worn out office chair sipping on a cup of coffee; a left over prospect from the night before. His eyes scrutinized the bills and debts that his creditors had sent him; past dues that needed his attention.

In the month of April, Sid inherited his uncle's shipping business, a man who now was among the dear departed. He tried to make a go at it with the vessels left to him. However, he soon found out it took lots of money and a competitive spirit to stay ahead in this cut throat business.

In the course of a year, the clientele began to drop off as the orders stopped coming in, mainly due to the unreliability factor that Sid's company had achieved.   Between his creditors demanding payment and his ex-wife asking for more money, Sid had to forgo the maintenance on the freighters; things began to slip.   The phone rang, noisy bursts of electrical impulse that distracted the money woes Sid had on his mind; a distraction that came at the right time.

"Sid, here."

The voice at the other end was hostile and demanding, looking for money that Sid couldn't produce at the moment.   "Now listen, you'll get your money, just relax and climb off my back!"   Sid, could feel his temper rising something he tried to control; he gripped the phone causing his knuckles to turn white.

"For your information, the Red Monkey is en route to San Francisco while we speak. You'll get you�re your precious money if you just give me a chance, do you read me?"
There was some hesitation on the other end of the line , then nothing.   Sid, slammed the phone down then threw his coffee cup against wall.   Christ he thought, everyone wants something. If its not your money then its your life's blood they want to squeeze out of ya.   Sid, looked at the calendar then at the marine chart he had in front of him. With his finger he selected a spot in the area of the Pacific Ocean.   "Lets see, they ought to be right about here."

Getting up from his desk, Sid went over to the coffee urn. He looked out the greasy window watching all the shipping activity; a small bee crawled up the pane of glass.
Looking over the pastries, Sid selected a lemon filled Danish. He bite into the treat that cut a swath of yellow across his face; some of the filling dripping on his shirt and tie.
What started out as a nice morning   suddenly changed as a huge weather maker; a storm cloud serenade began to build in the Pacific 0cean.   With the thunderheads reaching high into the stratosphere, the super cells blasted upwards charging with energy until they burst sending out cold torrents of rain and lightening upon the calm seas.

Accelerated by the high winds, the waters of the ocean began to stir, creating waves and unstable currents that boiled over like a witches caldron.   Inland satellite tracking; estimated it would be twenty-four hours before the tempest would eventually plow into the west coast.   Alerts were high with priorities a must for those who stood in its path.   With its hatches and cargo battened down, the freighter Red Monkey plunged into the next wave of the storm laden waters.

A deluge of heavy rains ravaged the once mighty ship, which over its years had tired and rusted during its long distinguished service making the derelict freighter somewhat unmanageable and unreliable in weather conditions such as these.
Captain Jon Costanza, an aging sort stood huddled on the freighters drafty bridge gripping the helm.

A rugged sort of fellow, Jon had over forty years of seamanship experience and at this minute it seemed that everything he was doing to keep the ship afloat was of no use.
Nervously, Jon wiped the perspiration from his brow watching helplessly as another wave much bigger then the last roll over the ships bow.   "Christ, just a few more like that and were all doomed," he said. He shook his head, a worried look on his face wondering if any of them would ever see the Port Of San Francisco; see their families ever again.

The clock above the intercom indicated ten P.M.; the storm outside howling and moaning like ten thousand maniacs.   Jon, scanned the horizon anxiously looking for a passing ship, a brother captain that would help them out.   A shock of lightening flashed in the hues of dusk. Jon, strained to read the lights of the control panel that winked in the dimming light of day; indicators and meters that at one time had been top of the line were now antique as they wavered within in their moisture filled cases.
Just reminders of the past Jon thought, just like himself all used up and outdated.
Another wave surged over the ship, the compass spun around in its casing.   Jon's fear became anger as he pounded the control panel with his fist, wishing now that he had pushed Sid for a more updated navigation system. With the next surge of water, the ship suddenly and unexpectedly began to list hard to port. Ocean waters whipped by the fury of the storm, began to come over the side pulling the ship into the deep.

With his heart racing from the panic, Jon applied a desperate measure to counter the wicked seas; trying to keep the ship alive its head out of the icy waters.   For a brief second the ship floundered on the edge exposing itself to the raging elements.
Frantically, Jon cranked the helm hard to starboard, his hands bringing the engine speed to one third knowing that if anything happened it would hinge on the decision he had just made.   "Come around you bastard, come on baby!" he yelled.   Thunder crawled across the darkening skies as the winds drove the rains against the windows of the bridge.

To Jon's surprise, the emergency action worked as the ship began to come around. Jon, took this moment to survey the ships instruments; to take a breath.   The rain continued to pour down; the waters outside Jon's window seemed to be breathing at each new swell, seemed to be getting bigger.   A voice scratchy and distorted   squawked from the intercom above his head.   Jon, strained to hear who's voice it was; could only make out the panic and fear in the owners dialog when the blackened skies crackled to life as sheets of lightening exploded in a blinding flash, sending pitchfork like swaths across the skies.   Taken by surprise, the burly captain blinked at the sudden exposure as thousands of volts discharged through the night skies.   "Jesus, give us a break!"

As if to answer Jon's request, another wave crashed into the ship sending a spray of white foam over its decks.   Jon, could feel the helm slip from his grasp; he wrestled with the aging monolith as it tried to get its way while plowing on its perilous course through the madden waters of the Pacific.   A droplet of sweat rolled down Jon's face; so many decisions.   Jon, probed his pockets for a cigarette his mind trying to think ahead of the storm.   From the corner of his eye, Jon could see his supper a coffee cup and cheese sandwich that remained untouched, the sandwich crust curling from the neglect.   Suddenly and unexpectedly another wave crashed over the ship. Jon, lost his balance and slipped, falling hard on the floor.

Before Jon could pick himself up, the door to the bridge opened and Hector appeared his raincoat dripping water.   Hector, Jon's first mate was drenched to the skin. He looked down at Jon smiling his calm reassuring grin, making his coffee stained teeth look darker in the bad light. Hector bent down helping his grizzled friend up, a man he had respected   throughout his own years at sea, who had helped him get a job on the docks eventually launching his own career in the merchant service.   "Captain, captain," Hectors face a mask of concern.   "We are taking on water in the forward compartment, it�s a shitty mess down there, pump number two has broken down."
The winds howled around the ship an ominous growl of thunder filled the air.
Jon, listened intently as Hector went on to explain the situation down in the hold, could almost visualize the men working furiously on the damaged pump attempting to save all their asses.

Jon, was about to make a suggestion when he froze in mid thought, as a huge wall of water produced by the raging elements boiled up from the depths making both men just stand and watch as the Goliath poured down on them. With only milliseconds to react, both men braced themselves as the water smashed into the derelict vessel and through the window of the bridge, sending shards of broken glass; a deluge of waters down on   both of them.   Jon, could hear the sounds of metal being forced beyond its limits then felt the ship lean sharply to starboard could feel Hector, hanging on to his arm which he had balanced on the instrument panel.

The lights on the bridge suddenly went out, the emergency lighting struggled to come on as an intercom light from below decks began to flash.   "Dammit Hector, get on the radio to the Coast Guard!" Jon yelled.    But as he turned, Jon could already see his first mate was already busying himself with the radio, his hand spinning each knob of the transmitter as if they held the secrets of life; a combination to their souls.
Another wave plowed into the aging ship.

"S.O.S.,S.O.S. Coast Guard, this is the Red Monkey out Portugal requesting emergency assistance� over.

"S.O.S..S.O.S.. Coast Guard, this is the Red Monkey, emergency, emergency!"

Hector, repeated his query many times, trying all the emergency bands but only to be greeted by a hissing sound from the radios speaker, that reminded both men of an angry cobra they had once seen in Calcutta.   With the avenues of hope exhausted both men knew what had to be done.   Jon, put the ship on auto pilot and with Hector they left the bridge to instruct the others to abandon ship; and Hector to ready the lifeboat stations.   Upon opening the door of the bridge, both men were met by the raw hostile forces that had been brutalizing the open sea; the rain whipping their faces like many so leather straps.

With Jon in the lead, the two men clamored down the stairwell leading to the main deck, the winds pushing and prodding them like papers on a blustery day.   In the midst of their escape, the ship began to roll with both men finding it hard to maintain their balance. Hector stopped and grabbed the slippery handrail feeling his stomach churn, his eyes starting to water.   For a brief second, both men looked into each others eyes giving away the secrets that they feared the most, when a huge gust of wind peeled off the stormy waters and clawed at their persons.   In a flash, Hector disappeared over the rail falling to the decks below. His body twisted as he grabbed wildly for the railing, only to feel empty space for his hard earned efforts; he braced himself for the impact.
But this was not to happen for as the ship rolled again, Hector missed the steel decks and plunged into the storm laden waters.

Hector, came up sputtering and gasping feeling the coldness of the Pacific Ocean soak him to the skin. He quickly shucked off his raincoat, kicking off his shoes; he tightened up the straps on his life vest he had slipped on earlier.   The lightening flashed around Hector snapping the air like a whip, sending out high voltage arcs racing across the blackened skies; bluish lines that singed the atmosphere.   Hector could only watch in shock, as the freighter slipped into darkness; into the void away from him. Frantically, he screamed out hoping Jon would hear his voice, hoping his pleas would be heard.

As the next wave took him farther away, Hector could see his fate was sealed but not to give up for he knew hope was always an ace you could play. A wave of panic washed over him as the fear of the unknown begin to settle in his water logged mind; a murky situation.

The next day, broke upon a morning that gave no indications that a storm had even raged; with graying skies announcing it was going to be a mild, mild day.   Hector alive and very cold had somehow survived the night; he struggled to stay awake staving off the weariness that plagued him.   Not a religious man by any nature, Hector said a small prayer in hopes that if he should die someone would find his body and give him a proper burial, for the fear of being lost at sea seemed so lonely; a forlorn situation. Mid-day loomed and passed as the day drifted into a late afternoon. Huge swells pushed Hector along on their secret currents.   Though the waters had warmed, Hectors teeth chattered uncontrollably; his mind shriveling from the cold making it hard to concentrate.   An aftermath of clouds; leftovers from the storm hurried by.   Rays of sunlight patterned to the ocean waters below, they cast their fate on Hector who floated in and out of a delirious state of mind.   So thirsty Hector thought, had to be water around here someplace. He laughed allowed taking in sea water; he spit it out feeling the residues trickle down the side of his mouth.

As the night came and brought its darkness, Hector sang songs trying to keep his spirits alive; attempting to keep the man on the inside from losing hope. "Love is here...is hear�to�stay...in...our own way...its �going to be around forever and ever...its...its." Damn, what was the next line?   Hector, closed his eyes trying to come up with the next verse feeling a tear slide down his cheek it plopped into the gallons sloshing around him. So cold, not much time, surely God must know I have tried to do right with my life. Hector, took a moment to reflect on this thought, his life and family that he had left behind in Lisbon.

Time slipped by in an uncounted minutes, the hours lost in transition that had no value.
"Forever and ever, feels like a dream�forever...forever�angels are dreaming of you�angels are dreaming." Hector, mumbled the words of the same song he had attempted earlier that day, his mind a cesspool of sorrow. With his eyes swollen from the sea water, Hector watched as the sun like a huge disk began to slide into the western horizon, into another part of the world; a large Pelican flew low over the water.
It was the scent of fish, that floated in on the sea breezes that awakened Hector from his stupor.

Thinking it could be a fishing vessel, Hectors senses came alive, his eyes widening as he struggled in the water attempting to distinguish where the source was coming from.
The water soaked life vest, made it hard for Hector to turn his head. He cussed aloud as the   salty waters went into his mouth, washing over his head, stinging his eyes.
Only then, did Hector feel the currents that passed beneath him, break as if something big had swam under him. Thinking it was a shark, Hector quickly looked behind him then all around. He could feel a cold chill of fear, surge through his system as his eyes could not believe what they were witness to. What Hector saw this day made him realize their were things in this world that could not be explained; he could feel his neck hairs bristle. From the depths of the ocean, the form that had risen and was quite surprised to see this human floating in the vastness of its watery home. It stared at Hector with its curiosity, its eyes the blackest of unknown voids, lifeless they seemed; a soulless wonder by all standards that never should have existed. Hector took in a deep breath transfixed on the spectacle. Call it the will to survive a built in instinct of self preservation to exist, Hector decided right then an there it was time to go; his chilled limbs involuntary began to move as he attempted to get out of the area. But, the thing in its form sensed Hectors intentions and started towards him, coming closer, wanting him; a hunger for his life. "Madre dios," Hectors own voice but a whisper against the soupy ocean, his panic beginning to rise. A huge swell washed over him and the incubus which had disappeared beneath the oceans waters. Gulls and terns, circled Hector in a frenzied cloud of life, their cries   warning him about the events he would never understand. Hector looked around frantically trying to remain focused, on the things last position when its arms suddenly encircled him from behind.

Like a man possessed, Hector struggled trying to dislodge the embrace but it only seemed to get tighter, the smells of decomposing fish getting stronger causing Hector to gag at the revolting odor; warm bile began to flood his mouth. Amongst the cries of seabirds, a strange mist began to form enveloping Hectors life. Hector felt a slimy face being pressed against his neck, the reeking of an algae laden breath cold as the sea whistling in his ear. In his panic, Hector managed to free himself and push away.   For a few seconds, Hector looked into her eyes, into the hellish blackness that reflected his own terror.

Vista Del Mar, a place named for the spectacular views was but a speck on the map.
Founded in the early 1800's by English explorers, the town evolved from a quaint fishing village into a seaside community. With a population just under fifteen hundred, life in Vista Del Mar was a slow process; the pace very relaxed unlike the daily grind some of their brethren faced to the cites north and south of them. The storm that rolled through the area had put the towns people in a panic. Many of the residents that owned and operated businesses weathered it out in the local bars and taverns
With no tourist revenue coming in the shopkeepers and restaurants sat idle; welfare a constant threat.

It was during this same storm, that the women of the sea finally pulled herself out; to come back to the same spot where she and others like herself had been taken from.
She arrived sometime during the night with the elements from the storm challenging her every move; she attempted to seat herself on the rocky shores. A hidden cove shielded her from the full force of the waves and raging winds. As the storm raged around her, the fish women sat alone in the darkness while trying to inhale the cold sea air; she plotted on how to survive for the next fifty years. The gills on the side of her head remained useless as her lungs strive for each breath; the clock ticking against her. With a groan, she pushed her mane of hair back letting it blow in the winds feeling the rain caress her face.

From the second floor, Raymond Jacobson looked down on the beach with a look of excitement in his eyes his anticipation high. It was the first day of Christmas vacation and already it seemed promising. That morning as Raymond dressed hurriedly the newsman on his TV talked about the fierce winds and rain that had passed through the area.   Raymond, hurried through his breakfast that morning; wolfing down the hot mush and toast that his stepmother Anne had put in front of him. He could hardly wait to get down to the beach and see what had been dredged up. "Now Raymond make sure you come back before dark and don't be late." Anne, then looked at him with an evil eye. "And another thing, stay away from those cliffs and rocks out by the point, don't want you breaking your fool neck." When she turned her back, Raymond rolled his eyes at her and the request she made. "Here, take this lunch I made you. I put some candy bars in it for you." Anne, then handed Raymond a brown bag.   Raymond, carefully packed the lunch in his knap sack pretending to be concerned. He slipped on his coat nodding respectfully like any sixteen year would while trying to satisfy his step mothers demands; assuring her she was still the boss. The surf rolled onto the beach the wispy fingers of the Pacific very peaceful compared to the night before.   Though the storm had now abated, the fog had drifted in during the early morning hours blotting out the sun; making the landscape seem gray and isolated.   Bucket in hand, Raymond walked down the beach looking, examining everything, leaving nothing overlooked. He pulled back the hunks of driftwood and pieces of plywood lying on the sands, shaking cans and bottles that had been left at the high tide zone.

As the day got longer, Raymond found himself quiet a ways from town.   He paused to sit on a log that had washed ashore and eat the food Anne had packed for him; a color of orange caught his eye.   With his curiosity brewing Raymond, went over to investigate.   The life vest looked fairly new, not a rip or tear.    Raymond got down on his knees and began to dig the sand away, only to find it covered with a thick slime and a smell that made him gag involuntarily.   With a fast movement, Raymond quickly backed away like it was an obscenity he had found; choking back the candy bar that wanted to come up.   Raymond, decided it wasn't worth the effort to salvage he continued on his way, the shore cliffs looming in front of him.   The women of the sea, had stayed all night deciding it was safe to remain. She noticed the waters that splashed upon her were less turbulent as the storm had disappeared during the night.   Through her filtered sight she could see the area was surrounded by jagged cliffs and large boulders that had eroded over time. She felt that this place had not been visited by many, only the chosen few that wished to explore such places.   With an effort that seemed surreal she took in a deep breath of sea air, groaning loudly as she attempted to use what elements could be drawn.   Raymond figured, if he just explored the tide pool areas no one would know the difference. Besides he was getting bored with beach combing and with the tide at its lowest point it would be a good time to see what could be had.   Putting his bucket down, Raymond walked out on the rocks was amazed at the life that was trapped there.   With caution and precise foot placements, Raymond explored the watery pools observing the urchins and starfish in their natural environments. He attempted to catch some of the small fish, pick up the small crabs but they were too fast the pools too deep.

Gradually his wondering took him near the cliffs where he stopped to look in a cave that had been carved out by the ocean.   Raymond, could see it had about three feet of water in it; reflections of light made eerie patterns on the walls. The shadows of the day were starting to form, announcing that dusk was coming on. Time like a second hand watch, slipped by in a transit of silent minutes; the sun beginning its slow descent into to other worlds.   Seabirds that had fed all day were beginning to return from the frigid waters. Flying amongst the cliffs they painted a scene right out of a Hitchcock movie.   Raymond, stopped to watch the masses soaring above him.   He realized it had gotten late and that Anne was probably going to be pissed when he showed up for dinner. He looked back in the direction of town wondering if he should go on or go home.

Like guardians of some ancient sect, the slabs of rock that had fallen from the cliffs above stood haphazardly silent against the sky; their bases buried in the sands.
Raymond, walked amongst them, looking at their stature feeling the textures that the ocean waters had sculptured. It was only when he got around them that he had to stare.
At first glance, Raymond thought he had intruded on someone's private beach then realized the women laying on her side was nothing he had ever encountered. Immediately, several movies filled his small mind; sea ventures he had seen on television and at the movie theaters.

From unknown sources a surge of channeled energy came from within the darkest regions of her mind; it allowed the women to sense the presence of someone else.
She could feel the onlookers eyes watching her, studying her person. Quickly she sat upright attempting to turn around while trying to steady herself against the waves and tide that pulled at her slippery form; she gripped the rocks with her gnarled hands that had   wrinkled from the countless oceans she had swam. Raymond stood watching the fish women move about, hoping to get a look at her face, his naive mind thinking she would talk to him. He decided this opportunity was to good to pass up; was going to approach her. Cautiously, Raymond started forward the wet sands shifting beneath his feet; disregarded a warning that his sub-conscious began to issue. When Raymond got within twenty feet of the women he stopped and watched her steady herself against an incoming wave. As it broke over the rocks the women pushed her hair back that looked like a horses mane on dry day. In the graying light, Raymond could clearly see she was human from the waist up, her skin all white and mottled, the fish part of her a somewhat dull luminescent and what used to be her feet where now flippers; separate appendages that now lay partially submerged in a tide pool.

The sun disappeared below the horizon sending out colored hues that sprinkled the blue contrasts of the sea. Evening winds began to slip through the darkening skies carrying gentle breezes that disturbed the sands along the beaches and dunes. A lighthouse sounded in the distance filled the air with its ominous tones. Raymond, wished he had never found this place, wishing to be away from it and the women that now lay before him. As he turned to leave he could fee a pressure within his head; a ringing sound that filled his ears making him put his hands over them. Slowly Raymond backed up, his eyes riveted to the form in front of him; he ran from the area with both hands over his ears only to fall down near the cave he had passed. A voice, soft as the sea begin to ride the winds current as it filtered into Raymond's fragile mind; a hypnotic thought delivered by the fishy women. Raymond, tried to resist the spell that had been cast upon him but like an insane narcotic it demanded his full attention; he involuntarily got up and returned to the spot where he had been watching the ocean nymph.
To Raymond's horror the women had somehow turned around and was staring at him, anticipating his return; she put down the cowry shell she had used to call him back then held out her arms. Horrified, Raymond fought the urge to go any farther but the voice inside his head instructed him to keep coming. With the surf pounding in his ears and his heart racing with the tide, Raymond's legs moved him towards the water goddess. As he drew near he could see the women's pasty face giving way to her black eyes, eyes that reflected no soul from within as they seemed to stare right through him.
Raymond started to cry as he struggled against the implant that had hold of him; a whimper escaped from his still small voice. A strange mist began to rise the essence of dead fish wafting into the air. Raymond, fell to his knees and gagged uncontrollably; he gasped for breath as the stench coming from the women began to consume him.
In his racking form, Raymond felt a pair of hands glide around his shoulders as if they were trying to soothe, trying to comfort him from the fear he was experiencing.
Raymond looked up at the women, wiping the vomit from his mouth; her face a mask of deception a ragged smile of insane character. Raymond, felt the women's cold touch as she pulled him towards her. Only then did he feel her strength, as she lifted him off the ground. Looking directly into Raymond's eyes the women of the sea took in deep ragged breaths that made her mouth open and close; a hideous vessel of bloodied lips that had dried and crusted from the moist sea air.   She pulled Raymond into her cold embrace, pressing her slimy face against his neck; the reeking of her algae laden breath whistling in his ear.

Anne Collins, sat alone at the kitchen table staring at the kitchen clock.   It was well past eight o'clock and dinner had been three hours ago, with no sign of Raymond.
She eyed the phone wondering if she should call the Sheriff. He could at least have called me and let me know if he was going to be late Anne thought; it seemed to Anne, that Raymond had that much sense. With her hands on her hips, Anne stalked into the living room and looked out the front window. The fog was coming in from the bay; a blanket of cold drizzle began to fall. The sound of the back door that made Anne jump. In three strides she covered the area to the kitchen and was looking at Raymond.
"Well its about damn time!" she yelled. Anne looked at Raymond like he had committed   the ultimate crime. "Where the hell you been?" she snapped.   Raymond, could see she was mad and well beyond her standard. He swallowed nervously wishing he could tell her, wishing he could tell her of the danger she was in.   "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be late� it won't happen again" he blurted.   As if to drive her point home, Anne grabbed Raymond by the shirt collar and shook him like a rag doll.   "Damn right your not going to be late because your not doing this too me every again!" Anne said.   "Raymond, you never think, you just do what you want. If it wasn't for me you probably be dead and buried someplace." Anne, stormed around the kitchen circling Raymond like an Indian dancer; waving her hands in the air her face very tense.

"You would think Raymond, that for just one minute you might be able to make a rational decision." Anne said. In her ravings, Anne brushed against the counter knocking the juice pitcher to the floor where it broke into several large fragments. "There, now look would you made me do, get your ass to your room." Anne's voice had clamed but the look on her face was pure rage. With just the desk lamp on Raymond sat in his room on the edge of his bed dejected, enduring the silent room treatment that his step mother had put on him. Only now did he realize how sorry he was for making Anne worry, sorry for fouling things up like he had. Raymond, now wished he had listened to her and stayed away from the cliffs like she had instructed him. From the sea of darkness, a silent voice penetrated the night; so smooth and lovely that it was like a melting ice cream on warm day. The voice rode out on the tides searching for Raymond; requiring him to do its biding.   In the silence of his room, Raymond could hear the wind outside his window; a voice that gradually picked up frequency until it flooded all of his senses. The voice took control of Raymond, initiating commands to his mind instructions on what he should be doing. Raymond grabbed his head, feeling the pounding from within his skull as he tried to resist the Incubus and her demands. With a cry of anguish he fell to the floor, his face contorted, twisted in pain; he grabbed at his stomach as a pulsating rhythm of life began to issue from within. Raymond, could taste the acid that his stomach had churned up. He lay doubled up on the floor writhing in pain his head hitting the wall as he rolled around like a rabid dog. With a choking spasm, Raymond threw-up a thick clear fluid that began to spread out before him. Gray in color, it produced silken tentacles from its softened center: a rope like umbilicus that tied itself to Raymond's stomach. Raymond, gagged as he attempted to dislodge the tethered mass the fish women had forced him to swallow. But, he found this ploy useless as it seemed to inflict its own pain deep within his bodies recesses; mucus dripped from his nose.   The voice in Raymond's head began to issue it requests overriding any resistance Raymond could muster.   Slowly, Raymond got up from the floor and responded to the voice that called out to him; a voice that issued its commands in a soothing rhythm much like the oceans tides.   Silently, Raymond moved towards the bathroom where he could hear Anne starting her bath.

The hallway to the bathroom was dark not a sound not be heard.   Dragging the slime behind him, Raymond shuffled down the hallway in a zombie like state approaching the bathroom door he stopped and awaited the dark order. Anne sat in the warming waters with a wash cloth over her face. She tried to relax, relieve her mind from the stress Raymond had put her under. She decided to apologize to Raymond; had to admit she had been quiet hard on the boy.   Blindly, she reached for the soap bar only to lose her gripe; it   slipped from her hand hitting the floor. "Dam, of all the things." Anne said.   She pulled the wash cloth off her face only to see Raymond, standing there looking at her with a dazed look in his eyes. "What in the hell are you doing in here Raymond?" Anne, then attempted to cover herself her temper beginning to rise.   "Raymond, get the hell out of here!" Anne, then tried to get up but Raymond pushed her down sending water splashing over the sides of the tub. "Son of a bitch; Raymond let me out of here�now!" With a quick thrust of his hand Raymond threw the slime into the bathtub. Anne, let a out scream as the mass found her throat and curled itself around her neck, cutting off her breath; her circulation diminishing with each twist of a new coil.   Between her ragged breaths Anne watched in disbelief as Raymond began to chew through the umbilicus that attached them together. "Raymond�Raymond," Anne pleaded. Raymond, stared straight ahead with part of the life cord hanging out of his mouth. With a reborn strength he pulled Anne, from the tub and dragged her naked form down the hall.

Anne, could feel the course sand rub against her skin, the chill of the evening air as Raymond dragged her down the beach. She could not scream or cry out, as the coils off the umbilicus tightened each time she would open her mouth. "Raymond, you have to stop this, think of what your doing." Anne said. Anne, tried to keep her voice calm, hoping Raymond might understand and apparently it had an effect as Raymond suddenly halted his progression and stood like a sentinel in the dark, the sea breezes blowing his hair. Anne, could feel the tension of the umbilicus loosen. Very carefully she removed the life source that encircled her neck and crawled away from Raymond who just stood, staring off into space.   Anne, thought how she would call the police once she made it back to the house. Suddenly she felt herself being grabbed by the hair and thrown on her back. With the will to live, Anne kicked out with her leg catching Raymond in the stomach and then tried to run but he was too fast and grabbed her by the arm; wrestling her down he stood over her.   Instinctively, Anne threw up her arm to shield herself as Raymond began to apply his boot to her side; a hard kick that caused Anne to lose her breath.   As Anne lay on the sands unable to move, she saw in the pale moonlight, Raymond standing over her with a piece of driftwood his face emotionless and uncaring as he brought it down on her head.   The sounds of the ocean rolled in Anne's ears. She awoke laying on her back; her head throbbing were Raymond had struck here.   As Anne, attempted to get up she could feel pain in her left side where Raymond had kicked her; the darkness of the night consumed her, the fear of the unknown lurking like a huge jungle beast.   Raymond suddenly appeared, the sand crunching beneath his boots as his face contained no recognizable features; was but a mask of his former self. He grabbed Anne by the hair and pulled her by a cave, through a maze of rocks.   With the surf roaring in her ears and the wet sands beneath her, Raymond approached his master who grinned at his approach.

The maiden of the sea attempted a crude smile across her corpse like face. Groaning loudly she inhaled the cold sea air; swallowing slime that had pooled in her mouth.
In the darkness of the cliffs, the birds that nested shuffled their warm bodies against one another.   When they were close enough, Raymond sat Anne in a sitting position watching as her eyes widened at the spectacle before her; that such a creature could exist.   "Raymond?" Anne's voice quivering. "We have to go, get away from this, this thing."   Ocean waters tumbled over the rocks, white foam splashed upon the maidens fishy skin.

Raymond, raised his club and struck Anne on the side of the head; the impact so hard it knocked her teeth loose. She felt the first blow nothing more as a blackness filled her mind; the world she once knew slipping away; void of any thoughts or suggestion .
Anne died on the beach very alone, afraid for her life.   Raymond, pulled Anne's limp form over to the women who began to feed; who needed the women's flesh and blood least she turn into a fish never to retain what human qualities she had left. Raymond, watched the women feed on the prize he had been instructed to find not understanding nor caring that he was to be next but not as a sacrifice, as a soldier to support the small legions under the sea.   Having finished, the women called Raymond forward and with her hand she touched his forehead inserting the cord that hung from his mouth into her own.   A metamorphous of fluid exchange soon followed and in the process Raymond, could feel a change within himself that would soon carry him from the haunts of man and his trappings; into a world of vast oceans and private sands.

It had been several days and the for pleasure boat MUSKY and its occupants, the vacation had so far been a good one.   Stafford Porchinsky, a big man in last years tank top surveyed the scene, then the beer can he had in his possession. He took a big long swig downing the entire contents in one swallow.   "Dam that was good," he said.
Belching loudly, Stafford was able to make his voice sound like a frogs on a warm summers even.   Diane, who had been listening and sitting comfortably all day in the deck chair glanced up from her crossword puzzle, a look of disgust on her face.
"You have to do that all the time?" she said.   Stafford looked at his new bride, lips sagging.   "Gee baby, I'm just trying to enjoy myself. Besides, I feel really good its just what the doctor ordered; a little fun in the sun."   Stafford, then smiled at his wife giving her a drunken wink.   Suddenly, the fishing pole bent as the line began to run out.   Diane, who was half asleep jumped up and grabbed the pole setting the hook. She looked over at her aging husband.   "Stafford, get over here and help me, I mean now." Diane, glared in Stafford's direction making the big man spring into action.   Taking the pole from his wife, Stafford began to reel in the line.   "Sure is one heavy sucker!" he said.   For thirty-three long agonizing minutes, Stafford cranked on the reel was on the verge of cutting it when he began to see the leader starting to appear.
"Were all most there," his face turning red form all the activity.   Stafford, handed the pole to Diane then readied himself to gaff the trophy fish. To Stafford's surprise, he was amazed to see a mass of hair float up then a hand that grabbed him by the face. **