In darkness, p.1
In Darkness, page 1
IN DARKNESS
THE SHARK
By L. Diane Wolfe
DANCING LEMUR PRESS, L.L.C.
Pikeville, North Carolina
http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/
“I am so shocked because I loved this book so much and it was a book that was so unlike anything I have ever read.” – A Ravenclaw Library
“I wasn't sure what to expect, but it wasn't a warm, sweet story of trust and friendship. I greatly enjoyed this short work and fell in love with Clarence.” – Nat Kennedy, author
“This is a short paranormal story, but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in originality. The story has a unique concept in it for a shifter.” – Read-Love-Review
“The friendship has been developed wonderfully by the author as Jewels struggle to let go of her mistrust and feel safe in the presence of a predator.” – Rain’n’Books
“True love and trust can break most spells!” – Beth, Archaeolibrarian
“Recommended for those who love sea life, fantasy and a heartwarming ending.” – Sandra Cox, author
Copyright 2023 by L. Diane Wolfe
Published by Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
P.O. Box 383, Pikeville, North Carolina, 27863-0383
http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/
ISBN 9781939844910
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system in any form–either mechanically, electronically, photocopy, recording, or other–except for short quotations in printed reviews, without the permission of the publisher.
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Cover design by C.R.W.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
About the Author
Other Titles
Chapter One
“Great white sharks possess 300 sharp, triangular teeth arranged in up to seven rows.”
Jewels stared hard at the words on the page, holding her breath. That’s a lot of teeth.
She glanced up from her studies. The darkness no longer consumed the view outside her window. She tilted her study lamp away and dawn’s rays appeared in the clouds. She inhaled sharply.
“What time is low tide today?”
She shoved aside her textbook, searching for the tidal charts. Locating it in a pile of papers, Jewels scanned the dates and times for her area in Australia.
“At 6:20.” She glanced at the clock. In ten minutes! Maybe I can find a blue-ringed octopus in one of the tidepools this morning.
Locating her beach shoes, she jammed them on her feet. She threw on her jacket and grabbed her pocket camera and flashlight. The brisk morning air struck her exposed neck, and she zipped up her coat. At least one more month of cold before the mornings no longer contained a bite.
It’ll warm up later.
Jewels unlocked her bike and pushed it down the dirt path. When she reached the road, she leapt onto the seat. Holding the flashlight tight, she attempted to steer and light the way at the same time. The bike’s tyres caught every crack and groove in the uneven road, bouncing the beam of light all over.
At least a car will see me coming.
At the first crossroads, she turned left. The coming dawn greeted her on the horizon. Guided by the light and an occasional streetlamp, Jewels pedalled faster. A few windows glowed, but no one passed her on the road and she whizzed down the street to the beach.
Not the main beach, though. Not the one with a long stretch of sand and few rocks. The public beach held little interest for her. She required a beach ripe with animal life and not the human kind.
I need my private beach.
When the road curved to run parallel to the ocean, Jewels watched for the marker: a short, misshapen tree hiding a rough trail down to the water. With the glow of the rising sun behind her, she located her ugly tree with no problem.
Dismounting, she hauled the bike into the rocky, weed-choked terrain. The bike jostled in her grip and she gritted her teeth.
A little further.
She reached another small tree, more gnarly than the first one. Beyond that point, the ground dropped sharply. She secured her bike to the stubby trunk and continued on foot. Locating the rough path, she began her descent. Clinging tight to the flashlight, she all but slid the next ten metres to the sand below. She landed with a reverberating thud on the beach.
“Graceful, Jewels,” she muttered, dusting sand off her butt and flipping her ponytail over her shoulder.
Brandishing her flashlight, she ventured towards the tidepools. The sun’s rays now stretched across the horizon, casting fresh light on the sea. The tidepools glistened, inviting her closer. She crossed the sandy beach and knelt beside the closest pool.
Where are you hiding? She sucked in her breath in anticipation.
Failing to locate the octopus, she moved from tidepool to tidepool. Fish and other creatures greeted her, but no blue-ringed octopus. The illusive creature remained absent.
The sun’s light grew stronger. Jewels discarded her flashlight and marvelled at her surroundings. The walls of the small cove burst with colour from mineral and vegetation. Layers of stone revealed themselves in the glow, years of sediment accumulating. Enough dirt collected over time to provide grasses and small shrubs foothold on the steep grade. And interspersed through it all— a thin path leading to the beach, one most would miss. Thus, the seclusion of this special place.
And hopefully no one ever finds it.
Turning on her flashlight again, she shifted her attention to the large pool in front of her. Jewels leaned closer, flicking the beam from one area to the next. Something moved at the bottom. Too large to be her octopus though. Much too large. Curious what creature inhabited such a small area, she adjusted her position, bringing her face within centimetres of the water.
The form below grew in size. Fast. She reared back when a shark’s head broke the surface.
“Holy shit!”
Her palms came down hard on rough stone. Her butt followed suit. Jewels ignored the pain in her tailbone and shuffled back from the water’s edge in haste.
Her right hand plunged into slimy liquid. She halted before toppling into another tidepool. Her gaze never leaving the shark’s head, she gasped when the nose sank from view.
Crisis averted, the adrenaline in her system turned her muscles into quivering jelly.
“Oh my God,” she said, gulping down air. Forcing her body to move, she lifted one hand and then the other. Minor scrapes. They stung, though.
“Not as bad as my butt,” she grumbled, easing off the offending rocks. “Crap, where’s my flashlight?”
“Please help me!”
Jewels froze. “Hello?”
“You can hear me! Please help. Don’t leave me here alone.”
She scanned the area. No one in sight. “Where are you?”
“Down here, in the water.”
Her mouth fell open. In the tidepool with the shark?
Shifting her position to a crouch, she peered into the murky depths. A dark form moved a couple metres below the surface. As she scooted closer, her palm came down on something metallic. Her flashlight!
She turned on the light and shone the beam about the edges of the pool. No one. Pointing it down, she caught the grey of the shark’s form with her light not a metre below. Jewels edged back and cast the beam around the area. Was the person in a different pool?
“Where are you?” she said, projecting her voice over the ocean.
“I’m here!”
The nose of the shark appeared again. Jewels steadied herself on the rocks, leaning away from the creature’s head. The shark turned one black eye her direction, bobbing in the water. No time to ponder the fish’s odd behaviour, though.
“Are you trapped in the pool with the shark?” she called, flashing the light in all the dark corners. Still not enough light to see the bottom.
“The shark?”
“Yes!” She held the flashlight overhead and pointed the beam at the large head. “This shark.”
The fish’s mouth opened wider, and it dipped lower in the water.
“Shark? Is that what I am?”
“What? Please, where are you? I can’t find you.”
“You’re looking at me.”
All the air left her lungs. She stared at the shark, his head still above the surface. The shark is speaking? But that’s impossible!
A quiver ran through her frame and the movement dislodged her left foot. She fumbled a moment before regaining her footing. Jewels shook her head.
Of course, it’s impossible!
“Okay, who’s out there?” she called out. Twisting her body, she searched the area in every direction. “Joke’s over. I’m not buying the talking shark.”
“But I am talking.”
Jewels stood, still searching for the prankster and feeling the fool. “Show yourself! I’m going to give you what for when I catch you, jerk.”
“Please don’t leave!”
Splashing erupted in the tidepool. Jewels jumped when spray hit her shoes. She steadied herself and stared at the pool. The shark swam at the surface, thrashi ng its tail. What was wrong with it?
“Please!” The shark ceased its frantic movements. “I’m trapped here. Don’t leave me.”
“You’re trapped in the tidepool?” Jewels stomped her foot. Why am I talking to the shark?
“Yes. I swam too close to the shore. I can’t get out and I’m scared.”
She knelt again and examined the creature swimming in the pool. He appeared real yet acted so odd.
Something could’ve poisoned him. Or he’s sick. Might explain the strange behaviour. But where’s the voice coming from? It’s like I hear it in every direction.
Aiming the light in the water, she examined the pool again. Between her flashlight and the rising sun, most of the tidepool lay in full view. Outside of a couple other small creatures, nothing else occupied the water but the shark. Not even a very big shark. Maybe a metre and a half? Just enough room in the tidepool for him to keep circling for air.
The head emerged again from the water. “Please don’t leave. You’re the first one who’s heard me.”
I’m either losing it or this shark is really talking. How can that be? “How can I hear you? Sharks don’t talk. It’s not possible.”
“I’ve not heard any other sharks talk. I think I’m the only one.”
Her hold on the flashlight tightened. This is crazy! Is he speaking to me for real? She knelt for a closer view, still placing herself at a distance from the pool’s edge.
“How did you learn to talk?”
“I dunno. I can though. But you are the first to hear me and respond.”
His lips don’t move. Well, duh! That would be stupid. “I’m not sure how I’m hearing you. Your voice echoes around me and in my head.”
The shark’s head bobbed near the edge of the pool. “I’m glad you can though. Will you please stay with me?”
She stared at the creature, his dark eye gazing back. I’m going to sit here and talk to a shark. Totally normal! Despite her misgivings it might still be a trick, curiosity won out.
“I’ll stay.”
“Thank you.”
Jewels shifted her position on the rocks, seawater lapping at her feet. “Tide is starting to come in. You’ll be able to swim out of the pool soon.”
“I hope so.”
The shark circled the tidepool. Jewels licked her lips, salt tickling her tongue. So many questions. “Have you always been able to speak?”
“I’m not sure.” The shark swam to the surface and poked his snout out of the water less than a metre from Jewels. “Part of my life I don’t remember. Before I could talk. The sun has risen and set many times since then.”
The shark altered his position, one eye watching her. Despite the black depths, something sparkled within. A soul perhaps? Could a talking shark even possess a soul?
A wave struck her leg, soaking the right edge of her shorts. She stood and glanced at the ocean. I must keep an eye on those breakers.
“What’s the first thing you remember?” she said.
The head sank beneath the surface. “I dunno. Everything was fuzzy. My thoughts grew clearer every time the sun rose. One day, I became completely aware. And realised I was the only one in the ocean who spoke.”
“Did you try talking to other people?”
He spun around, flicking his tail with force. “They didn’t hear me. They either threw things at me or swam off.”
“I’m sorry, but most people are afraid of sharks. They fear being eaten by one.”
The shark rose to the surface directly in front of her. “I wouldn’t eat you. You’re my friend.”
She grasped the rocky outcropping to her left. No one’s going to believe I’m friends with a shark. I don’t believe it!
Resisting the urge to retreat from the shark head so close to her feet, Jewels offered a nod. “Thank you for not eating me, then.”
He sank under the surface. “It would be strange to eat you. I can eat the other creatures in the sea. But you aren’t like them. You speak to me. You understand me. You are my brethren and my friend.”
His words touched her. Jewels offered a smile. “Something about you is so human. Were you once human?”
“I dunno.”
A wave rolled over, reaching up to her knees. Jewels retreated to higher ground, a boulder overlooking the tidepool. The shark broke the water’s surface, nose pointed skyward. Now over two metres away, he no longer threatened her.
“You’re not leaving, are you?”
Seizing the misshapen rock, she shook her head. “Not yet. But I will soon. Otherwise, when the tide comes in, I’ll be trapped.”
The shark continued to bob at the surface. “You don’t swim?”
“I can swim, but I’m not suited up. It’s a bit chilly right now without a suit.”
“Oh.” He sank from view. “I guess I never get cold.”
“That’s an advantage.”
She glanced over her shoulder. Much to her relief, the beach remained empty. Thank God no one comes to this beach. Someone hears me talking to a fish, they’ll think I’m crazy.
With a clear view of the tidepool, the sun cresting the ridge behind her and casting light into its depths, Jewels got a decent look at the shark. No longer than she was tall, his dark grey hide and white underbelly belonged to only one species—a great white. Able to leap out of the water and notorious for aggressive shark attacks. Despite his promise not to eat her, Jewels thought it best to respect his true animal nature.
It's not what you say but what you do. And I don’t trust anyone anyway.
The tide continued to come in at a rapid pace. Waves crested over the pool, obscuring its boundaries. Soon the boulder she sat on would succumb to the rising tide.
“Listen, I need to go,” she said, eyeing the disappearing rocks leading to the shore. “Or I’ll be trapped. You should be able to swim free soon.”
A large wave receded, exposing the shark’s head less than half a metre from her feet. “Thank you for staying with me.”
“You’re welcome.” She shuffled backwards, ready to make her retreat.
“Will you be here when the sun rises tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow? I dunno. I might.”
“I’ll return tomorrow.” The shark tossed his head as another wave rolled over him. “I promise I won’t get caught in the tidepools again. I’m lonely, though, and want to talk with you again.”
“All right. I’ll come back tomorrow morning.”
He ducked under the water and flicked his tail. The gesture sent a splash her direction. Jewels turned her head and laughed. The absurdity of the situation struck her full force and she laughed again.
I have a date with a great white!
“See you tomorrow.”
“I’ll be here!” he said.
Many of the rocks lay submerged. Jewels jumped in between surges, holding out her arms for balance. She reached the sand and tromped up the beach to solid ground. She paused, her gaze on the rocky outcropping by the tidepool. A large wave crashed against it, sending water spraying over the top.
I timed that close!
Scrambling up the path, she reached the top. Jewels located the outcropping by the shark’s tidepool. The surf bowled over, rolling with a purpose towards the shore. Biting her lip, she waited.
Come on, I know you can escape.
Two more waves washed over the rocks. Jewels gripped the old tree and held fast. Another large wave rolled in, covering the area completely. When the water receded, she saw it. A shark fin! Beyond the tidepool.
“He did it,” she gasped, pumping her fist in the air.
A smaller wave went over the fin. The caudal fin appeared, moving back and forth, propelling the shark towards deeper waters. Soon the shark vanished in the ocean waves.
Jewels hauled her bike up to the road. She hoisted herself onto the seat and paused, staring at the open ocean. It stretched into the distance, meeting the sun as it towered behind her.
Did that just happen? I was talking with a shark. A great white! No one would believe me. I don’t believe me. I should’ve taken a picture!
Pushing on the pedals, she took off.
