Chapter Two -- Section Four

Nathan turned to the old captain, and he looked into the captain’s eyes once again. His thin masquerades opened greatly and now resembled those of an owl. The winds kicked up, whirling past Nathan and the captain and ruffling their clothing. The already dilapidated pier was now gradually crumbling due to the violent waves. The indescribable beasts waded slowly to the shore. Onto the green ground they trotted, waving their fish-like hands in the air like madmen. The captain grabbed Nathan’s shoulder and pulled him as he ran towards an automobile parked close to the road.

“This automobile is mine. Come on, sonny, get in,” shouted the captain, “We need t’get outta here befer those bastards get us.”

Nathan jumped through the window, landing awkwardly in his seat. The captain allowed a few seconds for Nathan to fix his posture before turning on the engine and riding off. The captain drove frantically onto the road, looking behind him to scout out the location of the sea-beasts. They were still far behind. The captain turned to Nathan and said:

“You can call me Jones.”

Nathan nodded and looked down at his feet. His bag was between his stiff legs. Nathan loosened up and the bag dropped to the floor of the automobile. He turned to Jones and told him that his name was Nathan. Jones was not one for being formal, so he insisted that Nathan should go by Nat or Nate. Nathan did not like either, but Jones decided he would call him Nat. After a few moments of silence, Jones turned to Nathan and said:

“Those tings we saw back there, they were my fault.”

Nathan replied, “What? How so?”

“I called ‘em up from th’ deep. Those disgusting children of Poseidon…” Jones trailed off. He looked forward at the road. It seemed to run on forever, leading the two of them to insanity. Trees adorned the sides of the road along with bushes and the occasional spattering of dying flowers. Jones looked out of the window at the sea. The grey waves crashed against the side of the cliff, etching its presence there forever. Again Nathan inquired:

“How did you call those…things?”

“Aye, I can’t tell ye. ‘Tis a secret my family carried through generations. It would be sacrilege to tell anyone.”

Flustered, Nathan spat, “Sacrilege? Those infernal sea-beasts slaughtered an entire port city and you think it’s sacrilege to tell me how you are responsible?”

Jones looked into Nathan’s eyes and then turned forward again. He answered simply, “Yes.”