Paradise Lost

• Jennifer Chen, Grade 9
• Short Story
• 2011

All was well.

Snap.
A pair of golden-yellow eyes flashed open, their pupils dilated. Amidst the darkest, murkiest depths of the vast ocean, something stirred. Shifting an ancient tentacle, the creature glanced around, returning to reality after a centuries-long slumber. Yet he was waiting, always waiting, marking his time for an opportunity to arise.

A young girl with bright eyes ran along the seaside, revelling in the soft caress of the golden sand beneath her bare feet. Flying her purple homemade kite high in the air, she laughed, living a carefree and naïve life devoid of darkness or worry. Her chestnut brown hair drifted in the gentle ocean breeze, gleaming under the rays of golden sunlight that reached out to stroke it.

Biding his time, the creature longed for the past, for times long gone by, but a fear of detection had precluded him for so long from doing what he wanted, no needed, to do. In the past, his carelessness had led humans to occasionally snatch a glance of him rising out of the water. But he knew better now. Rumours spread like wildfire. So if a picture was taken, then all was lost. Therefore, the creature remained hidden, concealed under the safe, comforting blanket of water that surrounded him.

Ruffling in the gentle ocean breeze, the frilly lemon sundress perfectly suited the girl with the bright eyes. Tiring from running around, she took down her kite, and knelt on the beach scrounging in the sand for pretty seashells, meticulously arranging them to form her name. LUCY. Totally engrossed in her work, she was oblivious to what lay behind her in the blue jewelled sea.

Finally glimpsing his chance, the creature roused from his thoughts and spurred into action. His target: the girl with the bright eyes. His opportunity had arisen, and the time had come at last.

Suddenly, a piercing scream sliced through the tranquil morning air, as a slippery black tentacle whipped out from within the azure sea and coiled itself around the girl’s ankle. Struggling in vain, she attempted to run, to escape, but the black coil around her ankle pulled her to the ground. Clawing desperately at the sand, the young girl tried to find something to hold onto, something to detain her from slipping into the great sapphire abyss. But her struggles were fruitless, as the might of the creature overpowered her, and dragged her into the waiting arms of the ocean. Bubbles floated to the surface of the water; the girl with the bright eyes was gone.

Contented at last, the monster settled himself down for another long wait, his hunger finally sated.

In the distance, someone looked up after hearing a soft echo of a scream. That someone thought that she must be hearing things, and went back to cooking her family’s next meal: Grilled Baby Octopus. It was her daughter’s favourite dish. She set the steaming plate of seafood on the table, ready for Lucy’s return.

All is well.