His Pounding Sea

Chapter 2

Elena's POV

I was on the plane, already in the air, when the redhead host came and brought me a drink.

It wasn't a common thing for me to have a drink, but my nerves didn't want to settle down, and one would make me drunk.

I took a peek out the small window to see if I could recognize anything.

Only a small light on the wing of the plane was flashing now and then; otherwise, only darkness surrounded the plane.

Panic rises in me again, waiting for something to happen.

When I got myself to calm down, I took another sip of my drink.

My mind drifted back to Jane, and I closed my eyes, thinking of her.

Jane was a very private person when it came to her family—worse than me. She knew of my father’s riches. Well, everyone knows. The only difference was that she didn't care. When I asked her if she would like to come and stay with me, she was a bit hesitant at first.

When she finally gave in, she explained to me that she had certain urges that she didn't want to get between us.

The way she spoke was as if she had knowledge of a deep darkness lingering around her or knew of it.

I never took anything to heart. She was my friend, and I accepted her as she was.

One thing that worried me was that she would disappear in the middle of the night.

I sighed, sat upright, took another sip of the drink, and finished it off.

I guess I should rather take a nap to make the flight shorter.

I found myself close to rocks near an unknown shore, the sun setting in my favorite colors of pink and orange. It warmed my heart at the sight of it.

I could feel the sea breeze pulling softly at a lock of my raven hair.

I was dressed in a navy-blue luminous nightgown, one that my mother would have been proud of me wearing.

I wonder to which formal function I was invited this time.

I sighed. I was never one who enjoyed formal events. I loathed the attention my family and I received at those events.

I looked over the shore to see if I recognized the region. Even though it felt familiar, I could only make out the channel; the rest I did not recognize.

I turned around when I felt a familiar presence behind me, but to my amazement, I was greeted only by darkness.

The heavens had made a place for the moon and its bright stars, and as peaceful as it looked, the presence of the unknown company had started to make me feel overwhelmed with its frustration, anger, annoyance, and depressed feelings towards me.

A cold chill ran down my back, and I shivered. My feet froze at my spot.

“W-w-who a-a-are you?” I stuttered in a whisper.

The sudden drop in temperature forced me to fold my arms around myself and keep myself warm.

The wind had picked up, and the waves had grown bigger.

Thick gray clouds had replaced the once-starry space in seconds.

"I-I-I know you are here; I-I-I can feel you,” I gasped out. “S-s-show yourself.” I tried to sound strong.

My wish was granted a moment later.

In front of my eyes, a ship had come through the channel, struggling to sail through the storm.

I felt sorry for the sailors on the ship. These waters looked dangerous with all the rocks that surrounded the entrance.

A wave washed over the ship, then another and another, rocking the ship terrifyingly. Lightning lit up the heavens, and thunder roared thereafter.

With the next strike of lightning, the shadow of the most hideous creature could be seen. An unwanted scream had escaped my lips.

Shock and horror were painted on my face.

The monster had gotten hold of the ship, and it had the sailors in its tentacles.

The howling of the beast could be heard over the wind. And I watched as sailors were crushed and their bodies pounded back into the sea.

The creature's tentacles pounded hard on the ship, breaking it into two.

I turned my face away, closing my eyes in fear, hoping that what I was seeing wasn't true. The death screams of the sailors echoed in my ears.

What the f*ck is happening?

How the hell did I end up here?

Who is this hideous creature destroying a ship, and why?

“Have a good look at what you have become,” a woman’s soft voice whispered next to me. She sounded proud for forcing me to watch the horrific event.

"No!” I screamed back into the wind as waves of panic washed over my body. “This is not me!” I yelled... I had my face in my hands, warm tears running down my panicked face.

“But it is my dear Elena. It always has been. Have a look, my dear child.” I forced my eyes open to watch the gruesome attack, my heart pounding uncontrollably against my chest.

On the other side of the channel, in the place of the hideous monster, stood a beautiful woman, looking back at me.

Her facial features could not be ignored, as she looked just like me.

She had a wicked smile on her face, and as the broken ship sank to the depths of the dark channel, she was pleased with herself. The evil that she had in her could be felt and seen.

Just as soon as it all began, the wind stopped, the clouds mysteriously vanished, and the thunder and lightning were no more.

Everything was once again calm and starry.

The full moon shined magnificently over the calm waters.

I turned to the voice, pleading with her that it was not true, but my plea was all in vain.

“You are the monster that haunts these waters!” Her laugh echoed in my ears.

I turned back to where the woman once stood, but she was gone.

I attempted to move my feet, my body still fiercely shaking from the evil I witnessed.

An icy hand pulled on my shoulder, and fear pushed through my body.

I struggled to get away, adrenaline pumping in my veins as I attempted to run, but she was holding me at my spot with an invisible force.

My face was forcefully grabbed, and she placed her hand and thumb under my chin, her hands as cold as death.

I struggled to free myself from her hold, but she was much stronger than me.

“Look at me!” she roared impatiently, making my body tremble under her breath.

“You will let me out!” she hissed.

I opened my eyes in fear.

“My apologies, Miss Murphy; I didn't mean to startle you, "the host said. "The plane will be landing soon. “Would you please be so kind as to fasten your seatbelt?”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry, as I gave her a quick nod of the head. My heart was still uncontrollably beating inside my chest.

Was I dreaming?

It all felt so real. My hands reached my cheeks, and they were damp. I was certainly crying.

I sat up straight in my seat, locking the seatbelt in as fast as I could.

My head was heavy, and it felt as if my brain was hammering against my skull.

I was too scared to close my eyes now, dreading that I would see the monster again. I gripped the seat's armrest as we descended to the ground.

When the plane hit the airfield with a heavy “umpf” and started to slow, I let out a heavy breath I didn’t know I was holding.

I started to unclench my stiff fingers from the armrest, knowing that I was finally home.

***