THE OPEN SEA TGREAPER2009 Commander Zurich checked his watch for the fourth time. The away vessel was over forty five minutes late, which for Captain Frank Smith, was unheard of. It was a quick trip around the “Haunted Islands”, then back up the coast line where the cruise ship would be waiting. The local islanders protested, citing that the islands were cursed, which made the trip even more exciting for the passengers. “Ship ahoy!” one of the ship mates announced. Zurich stared through dusty binoculars as the away boat turned from the island and towards the awaiting S.S OPEN SEA. He felt a very brief wave of relief wash over him, before the chill returned. Something was terribly wrong. He ordered the crew dockside to help and called the ship’s doctor and put him on full alert. Ten minutes later Zurich was sitting at the desk waiting for Dr. Roberts to return. When he did, he had a very concerned look on his face. “Sir, we have a serious situation here. The boat left with the captain and seven passengers. One is missing, six are dead, and the Captain has absolutely no memory of what happened.” “Damn.” Zurich rubbed his chin, trying to filter through everything that was just dropped on him. There were dead passengers; families will have to be notified. There was also a missing passenger, so a rescue team would have to be sent. His head was ready to split. “Do you know anything? I mean, what killed them?” “Well, they all had markings on them, almost like burns on their arms. Even the Captain. But from what I could determine, and this was without any autopsies, their bodies just gave up. Like something wore them out.” Zurich leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. “Do you have anything for a massive headache?” “Sure do,” Dr. Roberts said, reaching for the lower drawer on the desk. “I think we both need a double.” Two whiskeys later Zurich sent two of his best crewmen out to search the islands for the missing passenger. He stood at the ship’s wheel, pondering what to do next. Finally, he decided it was time for help. “Com, call the Island authorities, apprise them of what happened and ask for assistance.” He listened as his officer relayed the message. Within minutes he had an answer. “Commander, they are ordering us away from the islands immediately.” “What the hell?” Not without our missing passenger and crewmates.” The com officer was looking at Zurich while listening to his earpiece. “Sir, they say it’s for our own protection.” “Protection? From what?” “From me…” The voice was like a whisper chewing glass. Zurich turned back to the wheel and stood face to face with the missing passenger. At least, what used to be the passenger. His lips were peeled back in an insidious smile, his eyes, jet black, no white showing anywhere stared deep into Zurich’s soul. “What the hell?” Zurich said again without realizing. The creature held up a finger and shook it in front of him as if scolding him for swearing. Zurich could see smoke pouring from the creature’s arms. “We are not your plaything,” the creature said, his large mouth barely moving. “We are to be left alone. We tire of your curiosity.” “Who the hell are we?” Zurich asked, standing his ground like a good sailor. The room suddenly filled with the smell of wet fish and what reminded Zurich of the meat department of Wal-Mart. He knew in an instant that he was surrounded. Nervously, he looked around and saw the crew and remaining passengers standing in unison. The deck outside was also filled with them, all staring with evil smiles and black eyes. The doctor and the captain were among them as well. “Look, give me back my crew and we’ll get out of your hair.” “They are we now, and you will be an example.” Hundreds of hands tore at Zurich, he pulled away, but his arm remained, tearing off at the shoulder. He screamed as his other appendages were torn away, leaving him on the floor. The creatures dropped down, chewing away on his organs, smiling the whole time. He closed his eyes and waited to die. An hour later the rescue boat returned to find the S.S. OPEN SEA missing, with a sign in its place that read WE DON’T WANT YOU HERE. Commander Zurich’s half chewed arms were attached to the sign, which was connected to a pole coming out of the sea. The crewmen looked at each other, and then turned the boat to the open sea. Neither said a word. Nor were they ever heard from again.