The sunlight pours itself down onto the white sand from the sky above. The waves sparkle as rays of light dance across their reflective surface rushing up and down the shoreline.
Christian sits cross legged in the sand tossing small stones out into the waves, watching as they skip across the water then plunge into the sea with a slosh.
Behind him their make shift cabin newly finished, forged from tree and vine, peeks out of the jungle to where its front door meets the hot to touch white pebbles that make up the bulk of what the tribe has aptly named Salvation Beach.
James and Persia stand in the doorway celebrating their new son’s arrival, seven weeks old today. Christina had advised against their naming him Constance seeing it as a woman’s name but they simply asserted that in this new world there were no rules and that they themselves would be setting the new status quo.
Christian examines the sand that surrounds him, no more rocks. He lifts his head and squints down the beach in an effort to spot another deposit of proper shaped stones, aerodynamic for maximum skip potential.
“Try this one.”
Christian turns to the voice behind him. A hand held to his eye line containing a small, thin rock, perfect for its intended task.
He follows the hand up its attached arm to the body of the man belonging to it, then the head.
“Constantine?”
“Hello Christian.” The reptile man takes a seat next to Christian in the hot sand.
“This isn’t right. I’m almost certain you’re dead.”
“I am dead.”
Christian’s eyes pop, a slight shock to the system as he digests this bizarre bit of information. “So does that mean…?”
“No. Would you like your rock?” Constantine hands the small stone to Christian who examines it as if it were a precious gem before letting in launch out into the ocean. It skips eleven times before disappearing.
“Not bad.”
“So if you’re dead and I’m not dead then how are you…” Christian turns back to where James and Persia…gone.
He spins back round to Constantine. The beach transforms from the vision of beauty and tranquility to something entirely different as the sun disappears replaced with the perpetual darkness of a starless night. The sand turns to cold dust.
“What the fuck is going on?”
Christian sits now on another shore, a small island more rock than plant, more dead than alive.
“I came to warn you Christian, the how is much less relevant than the why. I came to warn you that it’s happening again and that you need to stop it.”
“What’s happening again? I don’t understand.”
“You will. Now wake up Christian.”
“What?”
“Wake up!”
Christian’s eyes flash open to the sight of the thick, dark jungle that surrounds him as the sound of Constantine’s voice drifts back into the recesses of his subconscious along with his dream. He is alone again.
NOVEMBER 23RD 2014
The sun rests half set on the horizon. The sea reflects the ambiance of the twilight scattering it across the shoreline where the band of four sits camp style around their bonfire.
It had taken them nine weeks to make their way to the sea and even though upon arrival there was no more sign of a civilized nation than anywhere else they had been these past three years it suited them just fine.
They had built three cabins along the tree line from the resources of the jungle and in short time had forged near everything they would ever need to enjoy a life of civility and peace. No more violence, no more reptilians, no more death and misery. Life was what it should be.
Kite and Christina were now certain of the fact that they would soon be bringing a new addition to the tribe into the world as Christina was now showing to the tune of six months. Christina had decided that naming the child Constance in homage to the man-beast that had assisted them in their escape and survival would be a decent reminder of how grateful they need be for the life they now had. Nobody was objecting on the surface but it was obvious enough that Kite was a little less than enthused.
Kite sits fire side, Christina wrapped in his arms, James and Persia to their opposite. A spit rests above the flame, five small fish skewed and rotating for dinner.
“So when are you two going to settle down and start a family?” Kite kids with the couple, speaking through a melodic laughter as he jeers them playfully.
“To be honest I just don’t feel like it’s the right time you know. I mean we’re still living in our starter home and I’ve heard nothing good about the schools in this district.” James pokes fun back at the two.
Persia looks up at James from her place between his legs facing the fire. “You think you’re so damn funny don’t you?”
“I’m just saying honey we can’t very well start a family what with the both of us unemployed living in a one room bachelor.” His smile warms her to his warped humor encouraging a return of expression.
Christina lifts herself to a sitting position from Kite’s lap. “Anyway, how does that fish look? Can we eat yet or what, I’m starved.”
“Yeah I’d say it looks well enough.” Kite reaches for the spit and lifts it from its place above the fire. “Now where the fuck is Christian hiding?”
He gently relocates his love to the sand as he rises to his feet to survey the beach. The sun has all but set and the sky is washed with a light blend of purple and red obscuring his view of the distance.
“Christian! Christian it’s time to eat man come on!” He circles the fire peering out in all directions. “I don’t know. Guess he’s not hungry.”
“Well I am, so pass me that guppy.” James reaches up to Kite for his meal.
“It’s not a guppy James.”
“Persia, I had no idea you were a marine biologist. What else have you been keeping from me?”
“Just shut up and eat you dinner.”
“And you wonder why we’re not working on a family yet.” He chuckles as he speaks.
Kite takes his seat again next to Christina and passes the meal around the group. “You don’t know what you’re missing buddy!”
“Just let it go Kite. I know you two are close but he’s been acting strange lately and I’m sort of glad he’s not around tonight. It’s easier to relax without him here, knowing why he…” Christina’s speech is sliced silent by Kite’s warning eyes.
The truth is Christian had been acting odd these past few months, more so by the week, but considering what he had been through one had to make leeway for his behavior. This wasn’t the first time Kite felt need to defend him from the others. Only time will tell what is to become of him.
Christian spies out at his party from the seclusion offered him by the thick bramble and fern of the jungle. His senses heightened by his curse he had listened to every word. Maybe they were right. Maybe his actions and moods in recent time were cause enough to concern for his welfare, or the welfare of others.
It had been a difficult time adjusting to the fact that he was now only half a man, half something indefinable in context of man’s reality. He had mastered the ability to contain the beast that now resided within him for the most, on the outside anyway. But the inside, where it mattered most, he could feel it taking over. Growing like a cancer with each passing moon. He was losing himself to this demon and there was no telling how much longer he would be able to control his new set of wants and desires.
He shuts his eyes, takes a deep breath and holds… release.
The embers from the fire burn dim in the moonlight. The party had passed to sleep hours ago and the sun would be bringing them into the waking world soon enough.
Both couples lie tucked tight in one another’s arms, dreams from peace and the serenity of mediocrity of a simple life.
Like smoke from a shadow the dark visage of a man slithers out from the edge of the wood making its way round front the cabins. Not a sound as it enters the residence host to Kite and Christina.
A woman scream pours out into the night.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” Christina’s eyes flash open. She struggles to her feet as the blood splashes across her face red rain. The beast tears into Kite’s chest taking him apart before he has chance to protest.
She screams and dives for the door, hands clutched to her stomach in effort to protect her unborn kin.
James steps out from his den to see the young woman slide through the sand in panic.
“Christina what’s going on?” He runs to her side lifting her to her feet. His head turns to the cabin, eyes wide. “My God.”
The back wall shatters as the dark demon slams through splintering it without a break, disappearing back into the jungle from whence it had came taking with it one severed torso, leaving behind the rest.
“What’s going on out here?” Persia steps out onto the beach slum eyed and half sleep.
Christina’s body shakes and quivers as the pain and terror tremors inside of her. She falls to her knees mouth agape, hands held out toward the man that once was, no longer. His body, what was left, painted and scattered over the walls and floor of the tattered mess she called home.
James looks up and down the beach. “Where the fuck is Christian?”
The sun rests half set on the horizon. The sea reflects the ambiance of the twilight scattering it across the shoreline where the band of four sits camp style around their bonfire.
It had taken them nine weeks to make their way to the sea and even though upon arrival there was no more sign of a civilized nation than anywhere else they had been these past three years it suited them just fine.
They had built three cabins along the tree line from the resources of the jungle and in short time had forged near everything they would ever need to enjoy a life of civility and peace. No more violence, no more reptilians, no more death and misery. Life was what it should be.
Kite and Christina were now certain of the fact that they would soon be bringing a new addition to the tribe into the world as Christina was now showing to the tune of six months. Christina had decided that naming the child Constance in homage to the man-beast that had assisted them in their escape and survival would be a decent reminder of how grateful they need be for the life they now had. Nobody was objecting on the surface but it was obvious enough that Kite was a little less than enthused.
Kite sits fire side, Christina wrapped in his arms, James and Persia to their opposite. A spit rests above the flame, five small fish skewed and rotating for dinner.
“So when are you two going to settle down and start a family?” Kite kids with the couple, speaking through a melodic laughter as he jeers them playfully.
“To be honest I just don’t feel like it’s the right time you know. I mean we’re still living in our starter home and I’ve heard nothing good about the schools in this district.” James pokes fun back at the two.
Persia looks up at James from her place between his legs facing the fire. “You think you’re so damn funny don’t you?”
“I’m just saying honey we can’t very well start a family what with the both of us unemployed living in a one room bachelor.” His smile warms her to his warped humor encouraging a return of expression.
Christina lifts herself to a sitting position from Kite’s lap. “Anyway, how does that fish look? Can we eat yet or what, I’m starved.”
“Yeah I’d say it looks well enough.” Kite reaches for the spit and lifts it from its place above the fire. “Now where the fuck is Christian hiding?”
He gently relocates his love to the sand as he rises to his feet to survey the beach. The sun has all but set and the sky is washed with a light blend of purple and red obscuring his view of the distance.
“Christian! Christian it’s time to eat man come on!” He circles the fire peering out in all directions. “I don’t know. Guess he’s not hungry.”
“Well I am, so pass me that guppy.” James reaches up to Kite for his meal.
“It’s not a guppy James.”
“Persia, I had no idea you were a marine biologist. What else have you been keeping from me?”
“Just shut up and eat you dinner.”
“And you wonder why we’re not working on a family yet.” He chuckles as he speaks.
Kite takes his seat again next to Christina and passes the meal around the group. “You don’t know what you’re missing buddy!”
“Just let it go Kite. I know you two are close but he’s been acting strange lately and I’m sort of glad he’s not around tonight. It’s easier to relax without him here, knowing why he…” Christina’s speech is sliced silent by Kite’s warning eyes.
The truth is Christian had been acting odd these past few months, more so by the week, but considering what he had been through one had to make leeway for his behavior. This wasn’t the first time Kite felt need to defend him from the others. Only time will tell what is to become of him.
Christian spies out at his party from the seclusion offered him by the thick bramble and fern of the jungle. His senses heightened by his curse he had listened to every word. Maybe they were right. Maybe his actions and moods in recent time were cause enough to concern for his welfare, or the welfare of others.
It had been a difficult time adjusting to the fact that he was now only half a man, half something indefinable in context of man’s reality. He had mastered the ability to contain the beast that now resided within him for the most, on the outside anyway. But the inside, where it mattered most, he could feel it taking over. Growing like a cancer with each passing moon. He was losing himself to this demon and there was no telling how much longer he would be able to control his new set of wants and desires.
He shuts his eyes, takes a deep breath and holds… release.
The embers from the fire burn dim in the moonlight. The party had passed to sleep hours ago and the sun would be bringing them into the waking world soon enough.
Both couples lie tucked tight in one another’s arms, dreams from peace and the serenity of mediocrity of a simple life.
Like smoke from a shadow the dark visage of a man slithers out from the edge of the wood making its way round front the cabins. Not a sound as it enters the residence host to Kite and Christina.
A woman scream pours out into the night.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” Christina’s eyes flash open. She struggles to her feet as the blood splashes across her face red rain. The beast tears into Kite’s chest taking him apart before he has chance to protest.
She screams and dives for the door, hands clutched to her stomach in effort to protect her unborn kin.
James steps out from his den to see the young woman slide through the sand in panic.
“Christina what’s going on?” He runs to her side lifting her to her feet. His head turns to the cabin, eyes wide. “My God.”
The back wall shatters as the dark demon slams through splintering it without a break, disappearing back into the jungle from whence it had came taking with it one severed torso, leaving behind the rest.
“What’s going on out here?” Persia steps out onto the beach slum eyed and half sleep.
Christina’s body shakes and quivers as the pain and terror tremors inside of her. She falls to her knees mouth agape, hands held out toward the man that once was, no longer. His body, what was left, painted and scattered over the walls and floor of the tattered mess she called home.
James looks up and down the beach. “Where the fuck is Christian?”
