Fragmented Visions

Tanked

The tiger shark glided slowly through the filtered waters of the tank, the warm lights from above illuminating the striations on the creature's flanks. It made its way between the towers of coral, then dived down towards the white sand at the bottom of the artificial reef. A school of silver fish scattered ahead of the shark's approach, only to reform in the creature's wake. The shark bit at something in the sand, then shook its head and resumed its solitary patrol. Although the creature had spent its life in one tank or another, it did not yearn for the seas. Here it had everything it needed: room to swim, prey to chase and food to eat. What more did a shark need?

Today, however, there was something different in its world. There were things above the tank. Things that moved and sent vibrations through the water. Things that cast shadows on the sand. The tiger shark took a predator's interest in whatever was disturbing its world. Normally, movement and shadows meant that food was on the way; but these had been going on for a long time with nothing coming. The shark circled the shadows patiently, waiting in anticipation of the goodness to come.

On the walkway above the tank, Miguel tried to look down. The catwalk was narrow, with a rail that was only just above knee-height, and suspended from the roof by metal tie bars. Lines of halide lights hung either side of the walkway, casting a harsh tropical light into the waters below. Instead, Miguel summoned what little courage he had and tried to look his supervisor, Carlos, in the eye. Carlow was a nervous man - high-strung and prone to fits of anger which he would often take out on his underlings. He had cornered Miguel on the catwalk above the tropical reef tank, greeting him with a brittle smile: "Miguel. We need to talk."

Miguel felt like his insides were about to dissolve. He could tell that this was not going to be the usual chewing-out. "What is it?"

"There have been some problems with the new trays, Miguel. I was wondering if you knew anything about them?"

"The trays?" The trays were long, shallow, plastic containers that were used for shipments of fish and other assorted sealife to and from the aquarium. They would be filled with sand, weed and other living creatures. Sometimes they would be filled with other, more unusual items, buried beneath the rocks and gravel. Part of Miguel's duties was to empty and clean out the trays, making them ready for use again. He knew what was sometimes hidden in them. "I'm not sure what you -."

Carlos lunged forward, pushing Miguel back against the safety rail. "You know exactly what I mean!" Miguel instinctively recoiled from the spittle-laden invective. "Our patron is very upset. He wants some action. And you know that happens when our patron gets upset -!" Carlos punctuated his statement with a sudden, vicious shove to Miguel's chest.

Miguel grabbed at the safety rail, hoping to stop himself from falling into the water below. He felt his balance shifting close to the edge, then stopped himself. "I don't know what you're talking about," he pleaded.

"Bullshit!" Carlos's smile fractured and vanished, replaced by snarling grimace. Miguel looked away, unable to bear the other man's soulless eyes. "You were put in charge of the trays because I said you could be trusted! That you wouldn't help yourself! Well, you've made me look like a fool in the eyes of our patron!" A razor-thin knife appeared in Carlos's right hand. "You know what happens to people who make me look like an idiot?"

Miguel shook his head and raised shaking hands to ward off whatever was coming next. "It must have been someone else!" he protested. "Someone who found out about the shipments! P-please, Carlos. I'll find out who it was - bring them to you - !"

"Nonononono. Too late." Carlos's knife glinted in the glare of the lights as it cut across Miguel's wrists. Miguel howled in pain and dropped his arms, pressing them against his chest in an attempt to staunch the blood flowing from the wounds. Carlos laughed in triumph and slashed at Miguel's neck. "Too late!" Miguel tottered, unsteady from the shock and loss of blood. Carlos reached out and - as casually as if he was pushing over a chair - shoved Miguel over the railing and into the pool below. He waited for a minute to see what happened, then walked away.

The tiger shark took a renewed interest in what was going on above it. As the nature of the vibrations changed, the shark became curious. It swam around, its head moving from side to side in an effort to locate the source of the commotion. Then - an impact and the taste of blood filled the water! Long-held instincts rose to the surface of the shark's consciousness; instincts of prey and food. The shark rose from the bottom of the tank, following the taste of blood as it grew stronger and stronger. There was something there, thrashing like a wounded seal. The tiger shark lunged forward, its jaws wide, then closed its teeth around the squirming flesh. The thing in the water struggled frantically and tried to push the shark away, but this only excited the shark. It bit and tore at its prey - again and again and again! - ripping chunks of flesh away with each pass. Slowly, the prey ceased its struggle to hang limp in the water. Other, smaller fish came to feed, but the tiger shark didn't care.

There was more than enough food for all.