Ghost Crabbing

“Wanna go ghost crab huntin with us?” The question startled Brad. He looked down and saw two kids standing at the edge of the marsh with a bucket. It was not uncommon, people always walk down towards the marsh during low tide. It was however strange, in Brad’s mind, to be asked by two strange kids if he wanted to go down there. Brad had grown up near the island and usually walked the causeway to the beach a couple times a week. This particular day he happened to stop on one of the small bridges that crossed the salt-water creek and look out across the marsh lands.

“Are you asking me?” Brad replied. Two bright eyed, over friendly children.

“You are the only one out here.” The boy replied. He seemed to be the younger brother, maybe ten or so in age. While his sister stood there holding an empty five gallon bucket. She was more than likely 12, and now Brad was beginning to wonder why these two were alone and asking strangers to go crabbing with them.

“Where are your parents at?” Brad asked, looking around but seeing no one.

“At the pier.” The girl said as she pointed back towards the rows of multiple docks that dotted the tall marsh grass.

“If you wanna come you need to come on, tides not gonna be low all day.” The boy said. Brad decided to walk down to the kids, no harm in walking down there he thought. Heck, he even began to consider the offer, he had nothing else planned.

“Well where we gonna go?” Brad asked as he neared the children.

“Don’t worry, we’ll show you.” The boy replied, a slight smile manifesting on his face.

“Yea, follow us!” The little girl shouted as she turned and trotted towards the marsh grass.

Not sure fully of his intentions Brad stood there for a moment as the kids started towards a break in the tall marsh grass. He did not have any plans that day but still seemed taken aback at the idea of following two strange kids into the marsh. Brad took another look around, seeing nothing more than an empty causeway and the muddy banks. What the hell, he thought, not like these two kids could do him any real harm. With that thought he jogged off behind them.

These kids moved across the muddy banks with ease while Brad found himself bogging down more and more in the mud. It was starting to appear odd to him how these kids were so light. They were almost floating across the muddy banks, leaving hardly a single footprint. Brad was constantly watching his step. If he didn’t he would sink past his ankles in pluff mud, or trip across one of the many oyster beds.

Following the barely visible footprints and dodging the jagged oyster beds proved to be a work out for Brad. He began to feel his heart rate increase and his breathing became more and more labored. Sweat started running across his face. As he wiped his forehead he began to think that he needed a break. This is not what I signed up for he thought as he huffed and puffed across a half sunken, mud covered log. Just as he thought about turning around Brad looked up to see the two kids standing at a break in the marsh grass. Finally, a break.

“Come on, we’re almost there.” Called the little boy. Brad was amazed at how out of shape he felt. That walk couldn’t have been more than a quarter mile, and yet he found himself wanting to stop. He continued on towards the kids.

“Is this the spot?” Brad asked as he approached the children.

“Not quite.” The little girl answered

“It’s just around that corner.” Said the boy as he pointed towards the opening in the tall marsh grass. Brad could see the same muddy landscape down this small creek finger and hoped it would not be as deep. He just knew he was going to have to get new shoes after this. There was no way he could clean all this mud off of the ones he had on. The three of them began to walk down the creek finger. It was a lot dryer than the landscape prior and Brad was able to keep up with the children without much effort.

“Well what are your names?” Brad finally asked since he was able to keep up this time.

“Jim” Replied the little boy “And that’s my sister Sara.”

“Well, nice to meet you Jim and Sara. So you guys do this a lot, the whole ghost crab hunting?”

“Been doing it for years.” Sara said as she stepped around an oyster bed. “Our parents taught us how to do this a long time ago. It is something we do when they are busy now though.”

“Oh, well I haven’t collected crabs in years myself, I have never done it on this side of the creek before.” Brad said

Jim looked at him with a smile “Yea most people don’t know about our spot, that’s why we come here, no one else can get our crabs.” With that the three of them came to a stop. They had now reached a bend in the small creek that showed an opening in the landscape to the right. It was a private tidal pool, tucked away from the main creek and hidden by all the tall marsh grass. Brad could tell that at high tide this area would be completely under water, except for maybe a couple of jagged oyster beds and a few taller mounds of muddy sand that might protrude from the waters. Right now, however, the tide was low exposing almost the entire sandy bottom of this secret lagoon.

There were a few larger logs or pieces of driftwood dotting the area but it was open for the most parts. It was almost a hilly landscape as some parts were deeper than others. Shells and other white bits dotted the sandy area too. At first there were no signs of marine life save for a few birds alighting here and there. That all changed when the trio walked across the main opening and to Brad’s surprise right into the mouth of another opening hidden from view by sandy dunes this time. This led to a dry sandy area that seemed more ideal for ghost crabs.

It was here they began the task of collecting their crabs. Slowly the kids showed Brad how they hunted. They began by first finding a crab hole, one with tracks in front were the ideal ones. They would then slowly dig another hole right under the crab’s hole. Slowly feeling with their fingers they would be able to feel where the crab was and, if they were quick enough, they would snatch the crab up from underneath and pull it out. They began to fill the bucket up fast. Even Brad who had not done this in years was able to add a large number of crabs to the collection.

Once the bucket was full the kids, with Brad’s help, began to walk back to the lagoon that helped hide the crab land away. They stopped right before stepping off the dry sand and set the bucket down. They were going to release the crabs and watch them race back across the sand. Ghost crabs are not the kind anyone wants to keep for they are delicate and skink real bad if they die, even Brad knew this. Nor were they any good for eating, while there are exceptions for those stranded and starving. Brad and the children were neither so they all elected to release them, that is in fact, the nature of ghost crab hunting. Brad was relieved to know that he was not going to carry a full bucket of useless crabs all the way back to the bridge. He sat the bucket down. Jim and Sara began to giggle with delight as they reached to push the bucket over. The crabs came spilling out, all over the place. There was a moment of chaos followed by, as Brad saw, all the crabs swarming the two children. It was odd to Brad, he had never seen crabs run towards people before. There must have been thirty ghost crabs swarming those kids, with claws in the air. They were moving in a weird circular pattern around the children like one giant mass of claws and shells. The movements of their claws began to frighten Brad. They were thrusting their claws up and down, all in unison as if they were chanting. Brad began to back away and as he did he began to hear actual chanting. The crabs seemed to be creating a sound and Brad had no idea what it was. He could have sworn it was words, though he did not understand them. He was only able to catch the last word in the chant, “Fhtagn”. This was too much, Brad wanted to leave and he wanted to leave now. Brad turned to run, fear had set in and he almost tripped on a small dune during his attempted escape.

He then remembered the children, feeling terrified for their safety he turned. Fearful of what he would see he looked anyway. To his surprise they were fine. Smiling ear to ear as the ghost crabs were scurrying off across the sand. The children looked over at him.

“You ok Brad?” They asked together in eerier harmony.

“Yea, I’m fine.” Brad managed as he shook his head “I think I just need some water, time to head back.”

“Ok, Brad, if you want too.” Sara’s solo response came, her eyes seemed affixed in a faraway place. This gave Brad another incentive to get back.

He then turned and began to walk into the lagoon area, noting that the tide had started to raise. There was a bit more water in the deeper end. Brad also noticed something else, a few crab holes that were not visible on the way in. He pointed towards one of them.

“Stone crabs, you don’t wanna mess with them, they are mean.” Jim replied to Brad’s pointing.

Stone crabs, Brad began to recall all the edible types of marine life. He realized how hungry he was, and how good these stone crabs claws are supposed to be. He had an idea. Thinking to himself that if he did the same thing to the stone crabs as they did to the ghost crabs, he could get a few claws and have a nice meal. Brad stopped, no longer freaked out by the ghost crab chanting, for he figured his mind was off due to his hunger.

“Let’s get a few of these stone crab claws and have a nice meal.” Brad suggested to the kids.

“No, they are mean, they hurt.” Protested Sara as she crossed her arms.

“Come on, it will be real quick.”

“She won’t do it.” Jim stated plainly, “and neither will I, them crabs ain’t ones I would mess with.”

“Fine, I’ll do it myself” Snapped Brad, his hunger now getting the better of him.

The kids no longer protested, they handed over the bucket and stood there silently. Brad knew he would have a nice meal tonight. He walked over to the closest hole and began to dig his trap. The first crab seemed to know he was there and Brad only walked away with a pricked finger. His quick retraction only got a disappointed head shake from the two children. This angered him a little. He was determined to get some claws, so he started looking for more crab holes.

The second one seemed to be more successful, Brad was able to get the crab before it got him. He popped its main claw off, set the crab back in the hole and the claw in the bucket. He was able to get three more in a row. As he continued down the bank Brad came across a very large hole. He couldn’t believe his luck; this hole had to be at least two feet across. That crab must be huge, he thought. He could only imagine the size of its claw. Brad stood there in wonder gazing at this massive hole, wondering what massive crustacean could have dug it. It felt dangerous, but he did not care, he was hungry and the thought of a huge stone crab claw steaming in a pot was clouding his mind.

Brad went for it. He got on his knees in front of this massive hole, peering down into it all he could see was darkness. He decided to use both hands to dig this hole, the excitement of the hunt flowed into his mind. He began to dig almost two fast at first. This proved to be a challenge as this crab dug deeper than the others. Just as he got elbow deep Brad decided to feel for the crab. He felt the weight of the crab above his hand in the sand. The notation of success surged through his body. Adrenaline kicked in as Brad pictured his trophy. Taking this crab would not only fill his belly, but his successful harvest would show those two weird kids that he was stronger than the “mean” stone crabs. He was a man, He thought, no beast or crab would best him. He would prove this to those kids. He braced himself, took a breath and went for the crab.

Brad thought he felt his hand close around the crab's body, he thought he had the crab. It was unbelievable to him when he realized he had missed. The crab must have felt him coming and moved out of the way. Quickly Brad began to retract his hand when he felt the cold hard claw around his forearm. He snatched but to his horror his arm did not budge. In fact Brad’s snatching caused the giant crab claw to bite down harder on his arm. Brad cried out in pain, he could feel jagged points dig into his flesh. The bone in his arm became sore as the pressure from the claw seemed almost unbearable. Brad panicked and began thrashing around. He tried to get to his knees and pull loose, this caused even more pressure from the crab claw. He then began snatching his arm trying to free it. This caused the crab to snatch back slamming Brad’s entire body into the sand. Brad stopped moving his arm hurting so badly. He felt the tension ease as if the crab and moved forward a bit. Frantically he began looking around for Jim and Sara. No one was there. They had not answered his panicked cries and now even the bucket with the crab claws in it was missing. He hoped the children had run off to get help, or at least their parents.

His frantic movement had caused the crab to apply more pressure to his arm. Brad was not sure if the crab was able to break the bone, but he was sure that his arm wouldn’t be able to take much more. He knew he was cut too, he could feel the wet warmth of blood running down to his fingers. His palm started to go cold. He tried to pull free one more time. He mustered up his strength and began to play tug-o-war with his arm. He felt the crab move forward, and became hopeful that he could get free. One more tug and the crab inched forward again. Brad gave a small smile as he pulled again. This time he was met with resistance. Brad snatched back in anger, hoping to rip free his mangled arm. It was no use, this time the crab proved its strength clamping down even harder and slamming Brad back into the sand. Brad felt his bone snap like a twig and began screaming in pain. The screams were short lived as another slam into the sand knocked him out. The marsh went silent. Slowly the rising tide began to surround Brad.

Brad woke up to small waves lapping against his face. He was still lying in the sand, one arm in a hole. The tide had risen to a point where his body had begun to float. A burning pain reverberated through his arm. He began to recall his situation. This sudden realization of his predicament caused a violent stirring, and even in intense pain Brad began to thrash about. This seemed only to wake his captor, whose claw still held the broken arm tight. Brad was surprised when he felt the crab move forward. It seemed to be coming out of the hole. Brad was unable to stand at this time, he feared he might pass out again, this time due to his pain. He was able to float, and with the movement of the crab he was able to look around more.

The sun was almost down, it was getting dark. In fact there were some spots in the tall marsh grass that were completely dark. Brad noticed odd glows. There seemed to be something alive in the air. There was an odd feeling that he was no longer alone. He thought he saw faint orange and greenish glows through the marsh grass back towards where he had caught the ghost crabs. That’s when he recalled the chanting. His memories seemed choppy in his current pain riddled state, but he did recall the chanting. The rhythm seemed to follow the motion of the small waves that bounced his body in his shallow water prison. He was not sure if it was his memories or if he could hear the crabs chanting again. The sounds seemed so real he cried out again, calling out the names of the children that had led him out here so many hours ago. He was met with a response, one he did not expect.

The rhythm of the waves changed as if something had disturbed the flow of water. Looking out towards the dark water Brad noticed a lump coming out of the water not even ten feet away. As he looked harder he noticed two sticks raised up on either side of the lump. Making him nervous, this odd thing and its moving sticks, Brad tried to kick his way closer to the bank. As he did the lump followed. Rising out of the water slowly to Brad's horror, was another crab. This one had to be even larger than the one that held his arm in the now water filled hole. Realizing this Brad screamed and thrashed towards the bank. His broken arm pulled tighter towards the hole by the first crab prevented him from moving much. He glanced towards the bank, flailing with his free arm hoping he would break free.

The tall marsh grass began moving. Brad was hopeful, thinking his help had finally arrived. Terror filled him when he noticed the large claw that was coming through the grass towards him. A third crab now presented itself on the bank, just feet from Brad. The presence of these other crabs had only caused the first to adjust its grip on Brad’s broken arm. Brad winced in pain as more bone began to break in the claws grip.

It all happened so fast Brad could not conceive what happened. Had it not been for the pain he would have not even realized what was going on. The first crab began pulling on his arm, pulling Brad’s head under the water. This caused the second crab to race out of the deeper water and grab one of Brad’s legs. His head was now back above the water. Brad’s body was now suspended above the water, one arm stuck under the waves the rest of him held in. The instinct to escape never left Brad, and even as his shin was being crushed by the second crabs claw Brad was still flailing to get free. This provided the third crab the opportunity it was waiting for. It grabbed a hold of his left arm. Brad was now unable to move and for a moment the crabs didn’t either. Suspended in the air like a sheet wrongly pinned in three corners. There was a moment of total silence. Brad had not even noticed it until it was broken. The low chants Brad thought he heard earlier were repeating. There was no way of making out the odd language he heard, the strange words booming in the now dark sky. The chanting continued as Brad looked around. During those final moments, as he was hanging from those crushing claws, Brad swore he heard Jim and Sara. They were not there with their parents to save him however. They were there, somewhere in that marsh, watching him suffer and they were laughing. The hollow sounds of their voice chilled the broken bones of Brad. It was at this moment he knew he was not going to go home. His quest for crab claw was over. He had indeed found them, but he was now on the opposite side of the food chain. The realization of his demise seemed too much to bear. Brad began to weep, his body convulsing in rhythm with the mystery chanting. That chanting seemed to grow as did the fear and confusion in Brad’s mind. As his weeping body convulsed harder the three crabs tighten their grips, pulling his appendages even further.

Brad did not know what ripped first, all he knew was he ripped. The pain was so immense he could not identify what hurt or where it was coming from. The three crabs snatched and pulled until Brad's flesh gave way. Those giant claws make quick work of his bones too. His broken arm went first, almost degloving just above the broken bone. A tenth of a second later Brad's legs were no longer attached to his waist. The third crab held Brad’s left arm and attached torso. It was not successful in keeping the trophy very long. The first crab leaped from his hole lighting fast, and latched on to Brad’s midsection, bloody water splashing everywhere. It had only taken a few seconds, Brad was in pieces and the sand was stained dark red. The water slushed with blood and chunks, as if the creek was being chummed for sharks. This grizzly scene would be washed away soon with the continued rising and the falling of the tide. The marine life and monster crabs would have Brad’s bloody bits cleaned before the sun was back up.

Brad was gone, nothing but small shell-like white bits would be left in the sand. He never knew what became of his body, he really had not noticed what was happening, for his final thoughts were not on the monstrosities that ripped him apart. Brad's final thoughts were not even on his failure at claiming his large trophy meal, or the irony that his trophy had made him into a meal. The final thoughts running through Brad's mind were the unfamiliar language chanting in the tall grass. As soon as the body was divided and devoured the chanting ended. The marsh was silent save for the lapping of waves against the sand and the eerie sound of children laughing in the dark.