With summer and vacations at hand, we decided to start posting this story... See you at the bottom.


July 1, 1916

Stepping onto the sidewalk, Damon breathes in the salty, crisp smell of the sea. The Atlantic Ocean is spread before him, glittering like a pool of diamonds tossing gently with each crest of the waves as they lap onto the shoreline, creating an intricate pattern on the smooth sand. The sun is climbing in the sky creating an awe inspiring canvas of oranges, reds and yellows. Sunrise is just as beautiful as the sunset. He pauses to take in the beauty of the morning before continuing on his way to the beach where he works as a lifeguard. It's unseasonably hot but he still very much loves what he does.

He sees her walking ahead of him so he picks up his pace till she notices him. He smiles, tipping his head to the pretty young maid who works at the Engleside Hotel. The huge and luxurious building overlooks his beach. Every time he sees her, she takes his breath away, truthfully, he's been sweet on her since the first time he laid eyes on her lovely face.

She has beautiful brown eyes, he certain their endless depths hold all the answers. "Good morning, Miss Gilbert".

"Mr. Salvatore," she replies, the corners of her mouth lifting as her cheeks bloom a beautiful shade of luminescent rosy pink. "It's going to be another hot day it seems."

"It is. With Independence Day coming, there will be a lot of people at the beach."

"I suspect you're right," she concurs. Walking alongside him, she takes a deep breath, loving the smell of the sea. The light ocean breezes whisper like a lover, brushing salty kisses on her face and tousling her long brunette hair. On days this it fills the boat sails, pushing them through the water while nudging the clouds across the sky.

She loves living by the ocean too, still she'll be glad when this summer is over, it's been swelteringly hot and uncomfortable, her clothes and hair stick to her sweaty skin. Her job is hard but she does take pride in what she does and she appreciates the tips she receives from the hotel's guests.

The richest of the rich descend on Beach Haven every summer. Although it's fun to dream, Elena knows she'll never be a part of their world, well aside from waiting on them that is. When they reach the hotel, Damon wishes her a wonderful day. She gifts him with another smile which makes his heart start to thump against his chest. One of these days, he'll work up the nerve to ask her for a date. He watches her walk away but warmth fills his insides when she turns around on the top step. Raising her hand, she waves at him before disappearing inside the building.

Damon continues on his path to the lifeguard platform. No matter which way he turns, the sandy beach stretches for miles. Seagrass covered dunes, sun-bleached remnants of shipwrecks and shadows cast by the hotel's Victorian turrets color the sand. The wind is warm and people are beginning to congregate, setting up their umbrellas and cabanas to enjoy the day. He's already sweating when he climbs up and onto the platform.

He scans the water as far as he can see. Everything appears copacetic so he relaxes back into his seat to watch, his life ring ready should he need it. There's also a lifesavers' rowboat laying just beyond the seaweed line.

Hearing dogs barking he looks around again, there are several playing in the shallow water, their owners throwing sticks and balls for them to fetch. He happens to notice a young man jogging at the water's edge, a dog running beside him. The guy dips his toes into the water, shrugs and moves further out.

The water temperature is sixty-eight degrees, but people are running in and out, laughter fills the air. For whatever reason, Damon keeps an eye on the man. As the water reaches his torso, he jackknifes his body and dives in, his dog jumping in right behind him.

Suddenly the dog turns around and swims back to shore. The man stands up, whistles and tries to coax it to come back in but he doesn't budge. Damon looks around to the other bathers and then back just as the man starts to swim towards shore, Damon notices the steel gray fin break the blue water behind him. Quickly it closes the distance between itself and the young man. Damon jumps down from his platform and runs towards the water, people are screaming for the guy to watch out but he doesn't seem to hear them over the pounding surf.

He is in only three and a half feet of water when everything begins to move in slow motion. A huge triangular head rises out of the water, jaws filled with razor sharp teeth open wide and clamp down on him. The young man screams in agony at the same time his blood begins to color the surrounding water red.

Damon is already knee deep and swimming towards him at the risk of his own life. Another man reaches the victim first and grabs on under his arms. Damon latches on and they try with all their might to pull him onto the sand but they find themselves in a tug of war of sorts with the ten foot fish. A couple more guys brave the danger and try to help free him.

With Damon in the lead, they pull the man and the shark towards the beach. When its belly brushes against the sea bottom, it finally releases its grip and swims off, disappearing into deeper water.

Damon's stomach churns at the sight. Most of the unfortunate young man's left leg is missing, his femoral artery is spurting blood.

With everyone now out of the water, Damon doesn't hesitate to help. Knowing that this is a matter of life and death, the group of rescuers - including the man's father - carry him into the hotel manager's office. A door is quickly removed and placed across two desks, forming a makeshift bed. The doctor screams for towels and Elena hurries over carrying a stack of white ones. Her eyes widen to the size of saucers at the gruesome injury but she quickly takes a couple, using them to apply direct pressure to the gaping wound.

Despite the efforts of his father, a doctor, he dies within the hour. Elena pales and with every ounce of strength she possesses she sweeps her hand lightly over his face, closing his eyes for the final time. After giving the grieving father a heartfelt, "I'm sorry," she hurries out of the office, runs outside and throws up on the sand, Damon grabs one of the clean towels and runs after her. When she finishes, he dabs the sweat off of her forehead and hands it to her so she can wipe off her mouth.

"Thank you, Mr. Salvatore, um, I must return to work." She gives him a pained smile then goes back into the hotel to continue her chores. Damon watches till she's gone and then runs back to the beach to resume his own duties.

None of them could have known that this was just the beginning of the nightmare that was to follow...


*** His wounds were so severe that even with the modern medical techniques and fast emergency transport available today, more than a century later, it is unlikely he would have survived. Charles Vansant became the first victim of the Jersey Shore man-eater of 1916.

I hope you liked chapter 1. I love sharks, I find them fascinating. Thank you for all of your support, kindness and friendships, you all mean so much to Eva and me.

Eva, you dazzle me everyday with your brilliance. Thank you so much for being here, for being my co-writer and for everything you do.

We have several story ideas we're dying to dive into...

I can't wait to hear what you think...

I did post a teaser image for another story as well as a collage for this one on my fb page if you're interested.

WTTJ will come tomorrow. I was just so anxious to get this one started. I hope you all have a fantastic day.