The Curse at Sea

I was born in a small hospital, in a small seaside city in Maine. Basically with saltwater coursing through my veins. My parents both have lived around it their whole lives. I was an only child. My dad loved to fish, swim, and jetski. My mom loved to boat and surf. Every day after school once my homework was done I would run to the beach. Life was good. My hair was long and flowing freely, my t-shirt waving in the wind. I ran, as fast as my legs could carry me. I was skinny but short. People used to tease that there wasn’t much of me, just skin and bones. I never let it bother me. I ran to the ocean, just as I always do that day. That, dark day. When the clouds rolled in suddenly like the set of a horror movie. The air turned still and stale. The wind, silent. I was there, I saw it. I couldn’t bear to tell anyone, I don’t think they would believe me. But, I saw it. I wish I hadn’t. It stuck to my mind, affecting my very soul. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat. I guess I have to tell you what happened now, we have come this far.

The air went still, the leaves quit rustling, the surfers quit surfing, and everything was quiet. I had never seen the waves so small. The sky grew dark, dark enough where your mind could convince you of the sound 0f thunder, even if it wasn’t there. People started to leave. One by one, quicker and quicker every minute. The beach became bare and shadowed. I looked around as the last people left. As I was still in the water. But, I didn’t hear any thunder, didn’t see any lightning and didn’t feel any rain. I had just gotten there, I didn’t want to leave. So, I didn’t.

I had bought my surfboard today. I was quite disappointed at the lack of waves. But, I continued to paddle further and further out. I watched the sky closely and looked back at the shore to see if my parents would appear to call me home. I didn’t see them. So I continued. Further and further, continuing my looking. I wasn’t sure where I was going. I usually don’t go out this far. But, something was pulling me in. My curiosity spiked like I was looking for something.

I felt a small bump and stopped, pulling my arms out of the water and making sure my legs were in the center of the board, as I knew sharks and stuff like that roamed the water out here. I stayed like that, silent and still, for a few long minutes. I looked over the side of my board, staring into the dark water. I saw nothing. I felt nothing. So, I continued. I really didn’t know why I was still going at this point, or where I was. The shore was out of sight. I was nervous. Hoping I could find my way back. I had a compass in my bag. I shortly debated to turn back, but again, it was pulling me in.

I glanced at the water again and watched a large shadow swim by. My heart skipped a beat and I held my breath. It was huge. I really wanted to turn back now but fear paralyzed me. I laid there, staring down hoping I wouldn’t see it again. After what felt to be forever I looked up. The clouds were almost black. It looked like night. I checked my watch and it told me it was 6 pm. Unless it was wrong. But I don’t know how so much time would have passed that fast. I reluctantly started turning myself around in the water to head back the way I had come. It seemed to be growing darker and darker. I couldn’t really see. I felt something hit the board again. This time I jumped up and pulled my legs to my chest in the center of the board. I felt it again. It swayed my board, not as a wave would.

Then, almost as quick as light I was choking on salt water. My chest, throat, and nose burned. I tried to swim up but seemed to be stuck in place. I saw a red light like fire. The large figure swam past it again. It almost looked like a large person. My mind went to the idea of a siren, or a mermaid. But, this creature seemed to have 2 legs. I felt something grab my arm as I was pulled above the surface. I gasped and gasped for air with no success. I couldn’t breathe. I felt nails digging into the skin on my arm. I whimpered in pain. Still unable to catch a breath. I saw the creature again. It had a bald head and peeling yellow skin. Red eyes, and sharp blood-stained teeth. My vision went blurry. It got closer and closer, holding up a webbed hand with long, sharp black nails. It was so blurry I couldn’t really see anything anymore. My eyes started to close as I felt the last bit of life slowly draining from me In the darkness. Before they finished closing, I saw a bright white light and felt the nails leave my body. I took a large breath before going back under the water.

I woke up under a bright, yellow light. Wires all around me. And in extreme pain. All I could do was cry. I tried looking around but I couldn’t move my neck. I felt the tears going down my cheeks, making my ears and hair wet. It felt like forever before I felt a hand on my arm. A gentle one. I heard a warm,sweet-sounding woman’s voice ask, “Are you in pain?” I tried to nod but couldn’t. I squeaked out something that I guess sounded like a yes to the mysterious Woman. I felt a rush of liquid go through my hand. It stung a little. But, it was cooling and felt good. Within minutes, I was back asleep. I kept seeing that creature, I could almost feel the nails digging into me again.

I woke back up, to see my mom standing at the end of my bed. I slowly moved, it was easier now. Within a minute I was sitting up, but struggling. A tall woman in blue scrubs came over and grabbed a remote.

“Here, is that better?” she asked as the bed came up and met my back. I nodded. She left. I looked at my mom, she stared at me, with a sad expression in her eyes. She gave me a small smile and came over to the edge of the bed and sat down. I wanted to hug her but couldn’t. She turned to me and said,

“You weren’t supposed to know until you were 18. They are not supposed to prey on the young. I’m so sorry. Your father was at work and I fell asleep. Why didn’t you come back to shore?”

I looked at her confused, they, who are they?

“Who is not supposed to prey on the young. What’s going on?”

“They are demons, underwater beings of evil. Our city was cursed hundreds of years ago. We can’t move away or else we are killed. We have to obey their rules. And every year, one person is chosen to be sacrificed to them. To be killed so they have life energy to live off of. Every year it’s always been someone over 18. They must have sensed you and lured you in.”

She pointed to my arm, where a large white bandage was. Where I felt the sharp nails go into my arm in the water.

“That wound will never heal, it will never go away. They will never leave you alone now.”

We sat in silence. I wasn’t sure what was going on, or if my mom was even telling the truth. But then I pictured that creature.

“How did I get away? I was dead practically, and there was, a light.”

My mom looked at the floor. I could see tears forming in her eyes.

“Your father, He sacrificed himself to save you.”

I looked at her and my heart pounded in my chest., My father was dead? I saw 2 nurses at the end of my bed. My mom got up and nodded to them.

“You have to go now, I will visit when I can. I will miss you, but we need to protect you.”

She turned her back as the nurses wheeled me out of the room. I screamed down the hallway back at her.

“Where am I going? Mom, save me please.”

A large metal door closed and I ended up here.

I look up at the Lady with the clipboard. She looks back at me with a concerned look on her face. The lights bright as always, the white walls made it worse. She looked at me and asked if I was sure this actually happened. I looked back at her pushing my matted hair away from my face that still reeked of saltwater.

“Maybe I’m just crazy. The next time it’s dark out, you paddle out to sea. And why don’t you tell me.”

She got up with a start and left without saying another word, closing the heavy, metal door. I laid down smoothing out my blue hospital gown, laid my head on my pillow, and went to sleep.