Faintest sunlights flee
The creature was still a little way out from the shore, and, as the three of them looked out, it seemed to have stopped still.
"What exactly are we going to do? It's all the way out in the lake. Normally we can reach the things we're trying to fight against," said Ethan.
"I suppose I could fly out to it, but it looks quite big just for me to deal with. Also, were anyone to see me, that would be everything that we've tried to hide in Whitechapel exposed."
"Yeah, Sarah, like the giant lake monster wouldn't tip them off too," said Benny, rolling his eyes.
"Well, in fairness," said Ethan, "people kind-of believe in the monster anyway. A definite sighting would probably prove a tourist attraction."
"Maybe. The amazing flying girl would still cause a stir, though," Sarah pointed out.
Benny and Ethan both nodded. Sarah's eyes wandered over the beach, searching for a solution. Then she saw something a little way down the beach. She smiled.
"Ethan? Bring the bag. There might be something in all that junk we can use."
"What? What for? Do you know how we're going to get out there?" Ethan asked.
She pointed down the beach. "The normal way people go out in the lake – by boat!"
Benny grinned broadly, while Ethan paled.
"Oh, no. Not boats."
"Why? Scared?" asked Sarah, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, er, it's just –"
"Yes, Sarah, he is," said Benny, cutting across Ethan's rambling explanation. "He hates going on boats or even being near water." He smiled wickedly and clapped Ethan on the shoulder. "So, sandwich boy, let's get sailing!"
"No! But – but – but –"
Sharing Benny's laughter, Sarah grabbed Ethan's bag and hurried after Benny as he marched Ethan down the beach.
"But it's someone else's boat!" Ethan protested, still desperately trying to convince his friends not to put him on the boat. "This is stealing!"
"Borrowing," said Sarah with a thin smile. "We'll bring it back, and no-one will be any the wiser."
"Uh, um, I can't be part of some kind of crime!" exclaimed Ethan, desperately. "Besides, none of us know how to sail!"
Benny cracked his knuckles. "Who needs that when we've got magic?"
Ethan's face fell. Then he had another idea, and he brightened up. "Well, OK, take the boat if you must, but maybe one of us should watch the beach. In case the monster comes too close."
"Yeah, good idea, Ethan," said Benny, "and why don't you do that?"
Ethan smiled with relief, but didn't notice the nod that was shared by Benny and Sarah. Without warning, they picked lifted him up by his armpits and unceremoniously dumped him, still feebly struggling, in the bottom of the boat.
"You can watch the beach from the back of the boat!" said Benny, brightly. Before Ethan had a chance to get up, Benny and Sarah heaved the little boat the short distance down the sand to the water. With an effort they pushed it into the water, and after splashing with it in the shallows for a short distance, they hopped into the front.
The change in weight distribution caused the boat to buck on the surface, and for little water to spill over the side, a fact acknowledged with a high-pitched squeal by Ethan, as he got splashed. The strangeness of the sound he made left Benny and Sarah in stitches, while Ethan went very red for expressing it so publicly.
Benny waved his hand, and the sail of the little boat billowed as they were borne along the water. The boat slipped silently through the water, the quiet only being broken by the occasional yelp or whimper from Ethan every time the boat leaned in one direction or the other, or whenever small amounts of water slopped over the sides. They approached the looming shape of the creature. As they got closer, they began to get a true appreciation of how large it really was, with its great grey hump clearly higher than the mast of their boat.
When they were within thirty metres or so, Benny waved his hand again, and the boat came to a halt. The creature appeared not to have noticed them. Dragging his eyes away from it, he looked at Sarah nervously.
"Who thought that coming out here in a tiny boat was a good idea?" he said, his voice rising in fear. Sarah gulped.
"Probably not our brightest idea ever… It's probably best not make any sudden movements or loud noises. We don't want to attract its attention yet."
"Are we there yet?" came a groan from the back of the boat. A pale, bleary eyed Ethan unsteadily shuffled towards the two of them, before raising his head to see where they were. On seeing that they were in the shadow of the monster, Ethan gave a piercing shriek, to his friends' dismay (and partial deafness). Though Benny had the presence of mind to clamp his hand over Ethan's mouth within moments of him starting the scream, it was too late.
A low rumble boomed from the grey mass, which slowly rotated in the water, spray flying off of its back. The four huge fins, easily the length of a person, created mini whirlpools as they moved, whilst the movement of the long tail sent high ripples across the usually placed surface of the lake that sent the boat rocking crazily. Rising, dripping, from the water was the massive slate coloured head of the beast, large, square and slab-sided. Its black eyes seemed to focus on the boat, and it opened its large mouth, revealing rows of needle-like teeth. The fine points mesmerised the trio, and, for a moment, the scene hung in silence, with the three of them looking up into the looming face of an ancient, merciless looking creature.
The monster then let out a deafening roar, so loud that it caused its blood red tongue to shake. The sound was strange and painful to listen to, as if all the most unpleasant sounds had been mixed together. The scrape of fingernails on a blackboard would have been a welcome relief for the three of them. Forgetting their earlier decision on keeping silent, in the realisation that there was no longer any point in keeping it, both Benny and Sarah screamed at once. Ethan joined them as soon as he had freed himself from Benny's grip.
The creature reared back, and they all prepared to be sent to the bottom of the lake. It lunged forwards, entering the water with a gigantic splash.
To their great surprise, it had entirely missed the boat, which was now bobbing about in the swell caused by the monster's departure, filled with water, while all three of them were soaking wet.
"Um, not that I'm complaining, or anything," started Benny, tentatively, shaking his drenched hair out of his eyes, "but why aren't we dead?"
Ethan opened his mouth to give some kind of theory, before he saw the water begin to bubble around them, as if it was boiling. To his horror, he realised what was happening.
"It's - !"
Ethan never finished his warning, as the three of them were flung up into the air by the force of the accelerating monster erupting from the water directly underneath the boat.