Preface
The rain beat a steady rhythm against the windows of the town. Coursing down the old panes like tiny rivers. Mother Nature, today she was furious a storm brewing over the day to be unleashed at night. Writhing with the land like a wild beast. The sounds of the waves echoed off the cliff face below.
Creatures were said to swim in these seas. Strange beings that would take young men silently in the night, unbidden deadly in their execution, creatures ha thought the young man on the shore, no such thing.
Simon Moor looked up in anguish and struggled with the line that dipped into the water. Wind and rain continued to rage a torrent against his skin. He cursed angrily thinking on his luck.
When he had left his holiday home the comfy warm surroundings. Now he was sitting, sopping wet and cold in the middle of the night with no sigh of any fish. It was typical. Every trip he took to the shores of Scotland it rained. His missus may be disappointed tonight the grumpy cow he thought sourly. Let's go to Wick bay she had said get some sea air she said. What a waste we could have been in France. The bitter thoughts strained his mind. He felt so tried. He had only agreed because the park hunting was mentioned in his wife's going places book.
He had not known at the time that the season had passed. Again he had been thwarted and disappointed he threw a scathing look to the now pouring skies. His dad had taught him at a very early age to shoot; it was one of the best things about his childhood. They would, every weekend pack their rifles and head to the range. Or out into the woods for a bit of pest control. The entire ritual familiar, even now he packed the same way after all this time.
Then there was this fascination and danger of using a live gun. He had to admit that he was a brilliant shot. Leaving no room for doubt, he had won his first title at twelve. Though his farther had never let him use his own precious gun. Even the polish for the Butt was not to be touched. Now Simon had scoured the attic found the old weapon and had decide with a cold chill that had always accompanied the sight of it to take and use it on this holiday. It was not to be.
Simon thought that fishing would take the place of the hunt he so longed for. Again he was disappointed as the fish seemed to have left. The trip was almost a bust but for the pretty little barmaid at the flute and trumpet. She had a young doe look that could melt steel. Sometimes he wished to be single again. Though he loved Kim to bits, occasionally she grated just like she had today. All he had suggested was that they thought about heading back to Surry. Kim had flipped as they had only spent five days there and had paid for two weeks already. Then he had left before he said something he might have regretted.
The coast was beautiful and he had found a patch of slippery pebbles to sit upon. Set up his fishing kit and had waited and he still waited determined to catch dinner. Truth be told the once welcoming silence was turning oppressive. The rocks seemed more threatening and the sea more angry. Along the edge churning water caused shoots to rise ten foot in the air around jagged peaks. After all it was a long walk back. Surrounding the land even the small town now seemed unfriendly and ominous.
Shivering and slightly frightened Simon straightened looking round trying to calm himself. The rain was now coursing a way down his back and the wind stung his cheeks and whipped his long hair around his face. The long roads looked treacherous and black against the light of the lamps. The pebbles that had moved to accommodate his girth now slippery and untrustworthy he barely wanted to move. With a finale shudder he decided to pack up and start his careful accent back to civilisation.
Then to his surprise a sudden silence fell across the enormous ocean before him. The inexplicable quietness was so unnatural and deadly. Simon stopped dead in his tracks and turn to face the sea. The deep blue now awash with foam and still the storm raged. Fear now griped his soul as he stood stock still. Almost curiously he lifted his hand to his ear and clicked. The noise resounded through his head almost deafening in its clarity. He let out a long sigh but then something occurred to him if he wasn't deaf then what had happened to the sounds of the waves.
The rushing sound of the sea on the shore he could no longer hear. Even more terrified than he was before. Even more terrified than he had been when he was a lad under his duvet after watching an old horror movies. It just wasn't possible complete silence in a rampaging tempest. Torrents of rain still slammed the hills and shore making it harder to see. He looked all around him for an explanation, he found none. Now he could almost swear he heard something below the water, just under the surface. For protection he lifted the heavy weight of his father's rifle.
Even though the season was over he liked to carry with him. Just in case. Then three things happened in quick succession, a cry like a wounded beast, a low thrum as if an engine had been started. Then a new sound rent the air that of the sweetest music.
Though he strained his eyes he could not see its source but the music called to him softened him. He was floating soaring above the waves. There were words now whispered on the winds. Angelic words from angel's lips made him sleepy. Unknown to him was the fact that slowly, he had begun to move towards the sea. As a splash of surf hit his face, he started.
"What the"
He started but the words died in his throat. He was swept back into the calmness, now hypnotised by the song. Though now he was aware of everything but he could not move on his own. His head was no longer in command, his body drawn to the sea. The ebb and tide now lapped at his shoes. The storm was calming the sea settling into a slow rhythm.
Far out in the bay eyes just under the surface watched and laughed. For their spell using voice and sounds was working over this stupid little biped standing helpless on the shore. He swayed slightly as they sang their bewitching song. These pathetic humans were so susceptible and weak.
They didn't even have to extend their voices to bring this undeveloped species under Thesa control. They took in the present effect with relish. Many days now they had watched this one. Such a creature of habit always at this time he would come here to fish or just to walk. Thesa Main had charted his actions and now the trap was sprung. Before this, many days before this they had weaved their song for others. As they have done in the past ever since the crash.
Centuries have past and now they were so close. They called each man preferably one by one to them. They did on occasion lure women but Thesa liked to keep their men at home. They after all the years stalking the ports and harbour of this lonely planet were getting close. Listening to the cries of fish and creatures alike as the ocean and all its bounty was tapped. The seas trawled by so many boats, pirates or fishermen.
Did this planet not care that the animals they caught screamed and cried in anguish. Centuries of this had hardened the Thesa, once such a peaceful and kind race. Now nothing but anger dwelled in their hearts. Now they took back from this evil breed. Profit was all the men of the land were interested in. They are Foolish, greedy, consumed by their own supremacy. Their ignorance would be their undoing. For all this though they cared some but not so much to rule out their vital desires. What were the troubles and strife of this world to those who had travelled so far obtained so much and were even now so close to their goal. So the song continued drawing the prey closer. All they needed were four.
Simon's feet continued to move without his say so. The music had change rhythm more of a drumbeat instead of smooth melody. His eyes the only tell tale sign of life. They showed within them pure terror at a lack of self-control.
The sheer amount of horrifying thoughts that rolled through his brain. The most prominent one of all was that of never seeing Kim again. Kim oh honey I'm sorry he thought desperately. He wanted to scream, run but he could do neither. Tears swam in front of his eyes falling down pallid cheeks, unfelt by the skin they coursed down.
The water Knee high his jeans soaked and heavy, creeping ever higher the relentless trudge into the deep. Feet chilled and numb moved ever slowly forward into the abyss that waited for him. Further he moved up to his waist, his shoulders. The water passed his nose. Then he was completely submerged.
