Lost Art of Mystery

A solitary young man gazed out to sea in a trance, mesmerized by an infinite shimmering azure expanse. Fragrant jasmine and oleander floated on a gentle breeze, while melodic trills and whistles of tropical birds echoed in the background. It was impossible to fathom a time when this idyllic setting had nearly been annihilated by plastic and pollution. The glittering pristine beach revealed no clue to its devastating past, other than a minimalistic grey industrial pier and a few dull strangely shaped pods in the distance. Designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape, they had been built from the recycled refuse when the new generation arrived.

Laying down on a well worn woven mat, he gazed at the towering palms swaying overhead. Inhaling deeply, a feeling of ease came over him and he began to doze off. As he fell into a dream state, the bird sounds morphed into strange and terrifying cries while a strange dark cloud come over his mind, body and soul.

The rumble of a sudden tremor jolted his body from beneath the sand, waking him into a state of high alert. Sitting up straight, eyes wide open, he scanned the water for signs of danger. The surface was placid, clear and calm. He placed his palm on the sand, then leaned down to press an ear to the earth. Hearing and feeling nothing unusual, he sighed with relief while stretching his arms upward towards the spectacularly clear pink sky.

Just then, his peace and quiet was disrupted by the sound of angry shouting drifting in his direction. He shaded his eyes from the glaring sun as he scanned the immaculate sandy beach. From around a curved crescent, a group of people approached swiftly with a sense of urgency. As they got closer, they yelled and clapped at him to get up. His big sister was among the crowd. She grabbed him by his shoulders, shaking him into reality. “Wake up, wake up, Minu! It’s time. They’re coming, they’re coming!” His heart beat faster, and he looked over the sea to take in the beautiful view knowing that this might be the last time he would ever see it.

It had been well chronicled that “The resurfacing” always coincided with a point in time when civilization was thriving in harmony and moving along seamlessly. A cataclysmic occurrence that happened every hundred years or so, it was certain to leave complete devastation in its wake. Although it skipped generations, the stories were alive and well, and there was a profound fear in the voices of those who had survived to tell the tales.

With significant shifts in climate that had impacted the entire planet, weather patterns were changing fast. The ominous signals began months in advance. A multitude of subtle alterations in the atmosphere came first. The tropical ocean waters went through a color transition from placid crystalline aquamarine blue to a strange shade of olive green. The green gradually darkened to an opaque murky brown flecked with debris. Waves began rolling in, small and gentle at first, barely perceptible until they slowly grew into stronger and larger swells. That’s when the tremors would begin, barely perceptible at first, becoming more frequent and powerful. Eventually, the swells grew massive, and waves began powerfully crashing against the barriers, sending dark fetid mud cascading over the walls where it spattered and stained the rocks on the other side. Vast deep whirlpools formed out at sea and began to move closer until they were within a few yards of the shoreline. They swirled and bubbled, emitting a filthy froth and dense humid steam that drifted out over the surface and towards the shoreline . When the notoriously foul stench of sulphur and rotten fish began to intermingle with the salty ocean air, it was definitive; the vile predators were moving towards them at a furious pace. The normally pale pink skies swiftly morphed into a surreal dark cloudy orange, and the winds whipped up further, transforming the exquisite paradise into a hellish microcosm within days.

Historically, at this point, the villagers would have started to pack up methodically as they had done throughout time. Even though they were well prepared for the event in advance, it was necessary to stay vigilant, as shifting weather patterns might assist in accelerating the horrific event. Massive structures of rudimentary concrete stood their ground as they had for thousands of years. They were fortified by a plastic framework, which was bio-resistant and everlasting. They had long ago found a way to utilize the synthetic islands by harvesting enormous amounts of debris which proved to be the ideal material to reinforce walls.These temperature controlled monumental units contained stores of food, water and other necessities. The vast interiors were lined with shelves, floor to ceiling, and rolling racks had been installed to access the various levels. The food storage was dated and everything had been prearranged in order so that nothing ever went stale or rancid. Everyone in the community participated in preparation and management of the storage. The protocol was well understood. Extending below the food storage structures, massive housing units along with fully functioning plumbing and kitchens were ready for use. Deep underground, they had been well reinforced with armor against any attempted invasion. They were prepared were enough for a few years if necessary. However, “The Resurfacing” was always swift and done within days. Once the predators arrived, it was just a matter of time for them to ravage what they could find, then they would lounge in the scalding sun in their own excrement on filthy rocks until they were ready to depart to their next destination.

Each generation had terrifying stories to tell. It was the time when the giant beasts resurfaced to feed. Stealthily, they would head to the island, circling, prowling and waiting. Strategically, they would merge from smaller pods into a massive legion. Gliding just below the surface, as they came closer and closer to landfall, they would surface momentarily, clusters of bumpy leathered dark green heads moving through the murky water; rising up to reveal pale grey eyeballs beneath protective filmy eyelids. As they closed in on the shore, they gathered en masse.

The gigantic shoal of monsters was enough to alter the microclimate, and this is what caused the changes to the color of the water, the waves, wind and even the sky. Then there was the foul stench. Acclimated to both water and land, they had no predators. The leader of the group was humongous, feared and respected by all. Unless there was competition. On the rare occasion when this happened, the water would stir into a huge wild cauldron as they battled for dominance, gnashing teeth and shedding blood. Once the water calmed, bloody surf would dissipate and appear as a large swath of pink fluffy foam around the edge of the island. They fought until the death, and victory went to the killer who became the next top predator and leader of the massive pack. They were aggressive, violent and ravenous creatures. At 120 feet long on average, these behemoths had survived for millennium. It was rumored that they had been around before dinosaurs and in fact they may have been the cause of the demise of many prehistoric species.Their food was stored in underwater lagoons, where it stayed cool and shaded. Survival was easy and on the rare occasion food ran low, they wouldn’t hesitate to eat their young. They bred nonstop and there was often an over population that needed culling. It was rumored by those few brave souls who had returned after venturing out to research, that they resided on a distant caye where they basked in the scalding sun day in and day out. They lived on an island caked in dried bloody carcasses that had been dragged up from the sea, in their own filth, fighting, sleeping and feeding on their underwater stores until it was time to venture out for the dreaded feeding frenzy called “The Resurfacing”.

The civilization couldn’t remember a time before the “resurfacing”. Relics of the previous civilization were everywhere, plastic heaps of synthetic artifacts from a distant yet unsustainable past. They had even come across bodies which were reduced to metal and plastic parts and pieces. Hips, shoulders, breasts, butts and even facial parts remained intact, made of the non-biodegradable materials. These were stored in a heavily secured underground crypt where it remained cold and dark year round. Most of the other found objects and materials had been repurposed for the storage structures as well as everyday use.

The survivors of the early resurfacing events had been able to salvage the most important things to sustain their lives. Those who made it through had gathered on the one island which was still habitable, and started a community which had grown in size rapidly until it became an entirely new civilization. Beings from other planets who had merged with them over time, and brought their own technology, languages and cultures. Between all of them, they had created a massive, beautiful community intertwined with nature, as well as the plastic forms which they had harnessed to become a part of the eco system. Clusters of tons of synthetic and plastic debris lined the shores in strategically mounted strange yet beautifully sculptural barricades with openings for their boats that could be sealed tight at the time of the resurfacing. Far in advance of the precipitated event, they would begin the process of girding the shores of the entire island. There was a lookout tower on each corner of the island, as well as posts on the highest points of the central mountain, where they could station 24 hours a day and monitor the waters. Using drones and small invisible hover units introduced by the alien cultures, it was easy to see when the terror was on route. They had teams at the ready 24/7, to move the massive barricades into place and seal off the island completely.

At each corner of the island perched massive skulls of the few heinous creatures that had been captured or washed up dead. Skewered onto poles facing the water, they served as a small threat designed with the hopes to scare them off. The hideous skulls were at least 10 feet long with multiple rows of sharp teeth and hollows where the eyes had once been. Lights had been set into the eye sockets and as the date approached, eerie red orbs beamed over the water, towards the approaching onslaught.

Months later.

Deep down underground, the sounds of cheering crowds echoed through the long corridors. The kids were playing a soccer match in the stadium and most everyone from the community was there. It had been a few months since the resurfacing had begun, and they had quickly established themselves in the safe housing which was very much like life before other than the lack of outdoors. Most areas had projections playing on the walls, recreating environments with every detail, even scents and sounds.

There was one secret suite, dedicated to a live island cam. This was off limits and only accessible by top managers and upon special request and approval. Deemed too terrifying for most, it was necessary to rigorously test the individual before permission to enter. Only a few had passed the mental exam and those who had been allowed in to the viewing room were sworn to secrecy. To see this level of carnage could easily traumatize the most seasoned warrior amongst them. This information could not be leaked as it would terrify the citizens and cause chaos and panic.

The teenager from the beach was growing up fast. Between playing soccer and eating well, he had grown a few inches and gained a healthy weight. He was highly intelligent and had breezed through so many subjects that he needed to advance a few levels to keep engaged. This did not go unnoticed by the managers of the safety facility and they had their eye on him for a leadership role. The first test would be to take him into the viewing suite with the live cam of the island. How he handled this would reveal his fortitude and whether or not he could handle the tasks he would be assigned.

The viewing suite was on a lower level, only accessable with a special badge and via multiple security check points. The guards escorted the young man in silence. He had willingly accepted the offer to go through the rigorous exams which he had passed with ease. He had a strong mind, constitution and focus. He was imaginative, yet very logical at the same time, a rare blend. They walked for what felt like miles, through tunnels and locked doors, each one locking behind them with a vacuum seal. Finally, they approached a vaulted double door. The guards walked ahead of him and entered codes which clicked until a loud buzz opened the set of doors and once they entered they were closed again with a loud security buzzer.

The room was dark and as their eyes adjusted, a row of theatre seats was visible facing a large static screen with intermittent flashes of light. They told him to take a seat, gave him water and put a weighted blanket over his lap. They reiterated that what he was about to see was real, and reminded him that he had been sworn to secrecy and signed an NDA. This was for his eyes only and once seen, it could not be unseen.

The static on the screen flickered and paused and flickered again. The landscape was familiar to him. The sea looked rough and murky and dark clouds hung low in the sky. A few straggly palms leaned over the water’s edge and then he saw the broken sea wall. It had been torn apart and split open. A mucky trail from the opening meandered until fading off camera. They told him there were multiple cams and this was the first “Point of Entry” view. He gasped at the level of destruction.

The camera POV switched to another angle, which showed an enormous mound. He recognized the location from the rock formations along the shore. As the camera panned to get a closer view, it became evident that it was not a mountain at all, but a heap of carcasses and bones. Suddenly, from around the side of the heap, a shadow moved. At first it appeared to be a trick of the light, until they saw the terrifying face of a creature, thick blood dripping from its yellowed fangs. Its large hooded pale eyes seemed to look directly at the hidden camera with a menacing stare. The mouth opened wide and let out a gurgling roar, as it walked closer towards the camera slowly and deliberately. Just then, from the other side of the pile of meat, appeared a second monster who roared back. They were in a battle for dominance. They turned towards each other and stood tall on hind legs. Lunging at the same time, they gripped with voracious teeth and ripped flesh from one another twisting and tossing and turning. The more powerful of the two grabbed the other by the neck with his huge jaw and shook it back and forth furiously until it was swinging in the air like a massive rag doll. As he swung it full force onto the heap of death, it became apparent that the majority of the bodies were those of other beasts, and this appeared to be a culling of their own rather than an attack on those native to the island.

As the camera panned around and over the bloody mass, the huge beast could be seen gnashing its teeth and snarling as it looked around. Steam could be seen rising from the ripped open and gutted bloated bodies, their gaping mouths revealing horrific teeth as though they died in a state of fierce fighting.

The only living thing was the single gigantic predator. He began to slowly make his way from the pile, dragging his final kill towards the broken seawall. Watching from the viewing room, mouths gaped open and in shock. The camera followed the beast through the opening in the seawall as he dragged the fresh carcass along with him, leaving a trail of blood. As he entered the water, he pulled it along with him for some way out to sea. As far as the camera could show, the giant kept swimming until he suddenly slipped beneath the surface. They waited for some time, but he did not resurface at all. Only a trail of bubbles and bloody surf was left in his wake. He was gone.

They shifted the cameras back to the island. A group of scavengers had landed on the heap and were rabidly devouring the carrion. The sun was setting and there was a strange light on the horizon. At this point, the lead manager spoke up and told the others that this had been unprecedented. Somehow it seemed that the top predator had cannibalized the rest of the monsters. It appeared that the horrible event was over, as he had left with a carcass and gone out to sea.

They sat in the room under a low light and brainstormed what to do next. They would check the cameras again first thing in the morning and see whether it was safe to emerge.

What do you think would happen next? Do you think it’s safe for the inhabitants to venture outside again? Is “The Resurfacing” really over? Thoughts? This is a work in progress. I would love to hear any ideas. Constructive criticism is welcome! Thank you for reading.