The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!
Beast of Lore
by R.A. Clarke
Within the depths rests an eerie calm,
under water like glass and swirling mist.
A dark legend lies, sleeps, and waits
for the time to start its vicious tryst.
.
At the water’s edge, beneath the moon
One dusk per decade, it’s eyelids lift.
Now it’s time to feed, to feast, refuel
on ripe pink flesh, not putrid fish
.
Nothing else will do. That is its taste.
Lying still in wait, it stalks the shore.
Movement ripples as shadows pass.
It’s craving blood, and flesh, and gore.
.
They claim a boat, a rickety thing,
then anchor out, their loins inflamed.
Such unbelievers of local lore,
but soon they’ll come to know its name.
.
So silent it moves, first fins, then tail,
their scent a drug, their passion a bore.
It swims below, between the reeds,
then rising, it aims—knows what’s in store.
.
It’s twice as long as their floating craft,
with layered teeth and powerful jaws.
A scaly form the dim hue of murk,
it slips unseen, defies nature’s laws.
.
One nudge, then two. It earns a shout.
Two heads appear—they seek the source.
As the pair leans out, eyes wide, mouths taut,
its surges, full power, without remorse.
.
With a mighty splash, glassy water froths.
One perfect chomp claims both heads in one bite.
It snatches its prey, heft crumpling the boat.
Blood curls and swirls, that’s the first of the night.
.
Then down to the depths, it dives to digest,
chewing and crunching, it savours the taste.
Once done, it still hungers. It will need more.
It swims down the beach with no time to waste.
.
A marina appears cluttered with boats.
This will do nicely. It lays quiet, in wait.
Watching for movement, for shadows to pass,
to stroll down the dock like sweet dangling bait.
.
At the water’s edge, beneath the moon,
within the depths, among swirling mist.
Yes, it’s time to refuel, to feed, to feast.
One night per decade, it’s eyelids lift.
.
Fiction © Copyright R.A. Clarke
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com
More from author R.A. Clarke:
A daughter’s last chance at redemption on an alien planet. A sweeping secret that could not only end her dreams, but her life as well.
Finn Rucker boards the starship to seek a fresh start as part of a colonizing effort on Joya. The race, sponsored by Governus, yields free land and startup funds for the lucky winners. The number of entrants guarantees someone is going to lose and Finn is determined that she and her bionic horse, Herc, are among the winners.
Racing through uncharted jungle to the settlement of Novus, Finn and her fellow racers soon discover that not everything is as it seems – and Governus withheld information from the contestants. Strange beasts attack the racers, mechanical equipment begins to fail, and the very air seems out to get them.
When all seems lost, a mysterious people arrive and help the racers, revealing the depth of Governus’ deception. Finn will have to keep her pulse pistols close and her new friends closer – but not too close – as they all race to survive the jungle.
You will love this mashup of Hidalgo and James Cameron’s Avatar as Finn navigates the guilt of her past, the promise of a future, and the imminent dangers of her present.
