Shadow Requiem

Chapter 2: Something's Not Right

~~[798 Words]~~

"Told you this spot was loaded with salmon," the man in the loud floral polo said, grinning. He was stocky, comfortable enough with himself to talk big, a guy who's always right and knows it. His hair looked like he'd just rolled out of bed, ponytail barely holding it back. Those thick brows propped up a pair of smudged glasses, and he gripped his high-tech rod like he had a score to settle.

His buddy had already caught one. Now he waited, a little competitive spark in his eye.

"Whoa." The woman's jaw actually dropped. Her wrap skirt shimmering with every swayed of the boat. She fixed her gaze on the salmon, its scales lighting up as it came aboard. "You weren't kidding, there's tons."

"Check it out!" The older guy called, his brown skin gleaming in the sun. Stocky, short, and just delighted with himself for nabbing a monster, probably seven kilos—he preened as much as anyone could, holding the fish up so everyone could see.

"You won't be the only one catching today, old man!" Saedan shot back, grinning. "Wait till I land mine. It'll be even bigger." He looked psyched.

Four of them lined the railing. At the far end, a skinny guy fiddled with his camera, but even he gave in and grabbed a spare rod.

That's when Saedan's float dipped.

Something pulled—hard. No doubts. He grinned like he'd just won the lottery. Didn't even break a sweat.

"This one's enormous. Easy eight kilos," he said.

"That's gigantic, Saedan!" The woman's eyes sparkled.

"You got me this round, kid." The older man gave in.

"Like always!" Saedan teased, his laugh contagious.

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They were really out there, just living, laughing. Showing off, catching fish after fish. The shore was a ways off, with little green islands scattered around. The waves smacked their sleek yacht, but nobody cared. That boat belonged to someone on board, and everyone knew it was the nephew's.

"You're something special, Saedan," the beautiful woman said, snapping pictures with her phone.

Saedan scratched his head, looking smug. "Eh, it's no big deal." His smile said otherwise.

She laughed, face flecked with saltwater. "Let's catch enough so we can share with anyone who needs it."

"Absolutely. Let's load up." He cast his line again, hungry for more.

*******

"Hey, that's enough!" A woman called down from the upper deck. She stretched out on a lounge chair, beer bottle dangling from her hand, wearing the same bra and wrap skirt. "You've got more than enough," she said. "Doesn't anybody here get tired?"

A man sat next to her, mellow, leaning back the same way she did. They clinked bottles, soaking up the afternoon.

"That's more than enough for bar snacks, honestly," she added.

"Relax, lady! Still not enough! My nephew can demolish a mountain of bar snacks. Let us fish in peace," the old man shouted, never looking up.

She let out a soft sigh, eyes closed, totally unbothered.

"We just started," he promised. "Kick back, we'll make sure you've got plenty."

He barked out a laugh.

Saedan yelled, "Who's the real glutton here, Uncle?" Already cracking up.

His uncle chuckled in reply. "All right...maybe a little."

That got them both howling.

"These fish-obsessed maniacs," the woman muttered, shaking her head, grinning. "Classic sea people." She wasn't fazed. "Careful out there, fish that much and you'll end up as bait!" She laughed at her own joke.

Suddenly, the old man's line went taut—seriously fast. He didn't budge. That old strength of his kicked right in, arms steady and sure.

"Here we go, here we go, HERE WE GO!" he shouted, pure glee bursting from his face. He started reeling, fast and focused, but the fish dragged the line every which way, stubborn as hell. If it wasn't for the railing, he'd have toppled overboard.

"This is a monster! Fifteen kilos, easy!"

The fish kept fighting, like it had a vendetta.

He slammed against the rail, nearly tumbling headfirst into the water. Saedan grabbed his legs just in time.

"Nice save, kid."

The old man peered back, upside down, same big grin, zero panic.

"Seriously, Uncle. You never let go."

"No way. Fish is life. No fish, no food. No food, no people. Simple math."

They dragged him back inch by inch.

The fish kept going, then gave in at the last second. With a wild surge, it broke the surface.

Huge salmon.

Everyone went nuts. The old man was beside himself. He'd been fishing his whole life—nothing had ever pulled like this. They measured it, weighed it, showed it off live online, posed for twelve different photos with the beast.

Then the whole boat jerked.

Something massive slammed them from below.

"What was that?" said the woman on Saedan's side.