Of My Eyes

Of My Eyes Part 5

The second one I saw was down here, think of a very large yellow inch worm, I think it was around seven or eight inches long.
I got to within a foot of it before it slid between the field stones that make up the foundation of the house.
I went on to explain about the research I had done on the history of the house and the land that it stood on.
When I got to the part of discovering that there was an abandoned mine near the house, Julie's ears perked up.
It appears that she had done a lesson plan for the school about the history of the town and the surrounding area.
She had included a small chapter on the history of mining in the area.

"Julie, after we have done our due diligence searching the house, you and I need to sit down and compare notes on the town's history, with a prime focus on the mines in this area.
You must have some resources that I had not thought of, ideas I had not considered.
In short, I need help."

"Frank I'll be happy to assist in any way I can, but I want you to understand that if at any time I feel that you or the girls are putting yourselves, and especially the girls, in danger, I'm going to call a halt to this grand adventure.
Is that understood?"

"Julie I agree, in fact, one of the reasons I asked you here was to help keep the three of us grounded in reality.
In addition, I really want a witness that what we have seen is real, not a shared psychosis, a Folie a deux, if you will."

"Frank I will do my best, but you have to know that I think this is a...

(Whispering)

Frank, please tell me you can see what I'm seeing off to my right."

Ever so slowly, I turned my head in the direction that Julie indicated.

"Julie, if you are asking if I see two shrimp like creatures, yes, I see them."

"Thank God, for a second I began to believe this snipe hunt was some kind of elaborate hoax, but now I believe you."

What we were seeing was a pair of things that, for all the world, resembled Mantis shrimp.
Both were about a foot long, bedecked in every color of the rainbow.
The colors weren't fixed, they kept changing, shifting in a rather beautiful display, much like a cuttlefish.
It reminded me of David Attenborough describing the mating rituals of "Birds of Paradise" as they attempted to attract their mates.

Without thinking, I had ever so cautiously raised the thermal camera to grab some shots of these magnificent things.
Thank God the shutter on the camera was silent.
I had managed to snap three pictures before they began moving along the fieldstones that made up the foundation of the house.

Totally fascinated by the creatures, Julie ever so carefully moved towards them in an attempt to get a closer look.
When she managed to come within about a foot, she made the mistake of trying to look directly at them.
At which point they just slid into the mortar joint and out of sight.

Of all the reactions I might have expected from Julie, the one I got was way at the bottom of my list, come to think of it, it wasn't even on my list.
Her reaction was to turn towards me with a massive grin plastered across her face and giggling like a little girl as Christmas.

"Frank, that was amazing.
I thought the three of you had seen something but had managed to hype up your descriptions due to your enthusiasm.
But Frank, I will never doubt you again as to the truth of what I have witnessed here today."

During the entire time Julie was speaking, the giggling never let up.
The thought ran through my mind that Julie was having more fun than she had in a long time, hence the childlike wonder in her voice.
It didn't take long before we managed to gather our senses and continue the scan of the basement without finding anymore of these things.

Heading back up the stairs, Julie began bubbling about what we saw and how we were going to disappoint the girls by finding something before they did.
Reaching the top of the stairs, I called out their names to gather them around for the big reveal.
In general, you didn't need to shout very loudly, if at all.
Usually they made enough noise to hear them over the whine of a jet engine spooling up for takeoff.

Like any parent, it's when I don't hear any noise from the kids, that's when I begin to worry.
Today, on the other hand, silence ruled the moment.
Working our way upstairs, we found the door to my bedroom ajar, with the lights off.
The girls were sitting cross-legged a foot or so from the wall where I first saw the creatures.
May was the first to speak, although in a hushed whisper.

"Daddy, Miss Marks, be quiet we found a couple.
They are over there."

Pointing to her left, my eyes scanned the area in question.
Imagine my shock when Julie and I saw what for all intensive were the same two creatures we had seen in the basement.

"Frank, are those the same ones that we saw?"

"Julie, as far as I can tell, yes.
Although, how can we be sure?
After all, the way their bodies shift colors, it's hard to tell.
Do you think we could get them to wear name tags?"

In an instant, the mood in the room changed as Julie as well as the girls began laughing.
In the same moment, the two things made a bee line for the crack between the wall and the floor.
Emily was the first to turn around, facing me, with a huge smile plastered across her face.

"Daddy, Miss Marks, did you see them?
That was the coolest thing ever!
They were so beautiful, the way they changed colors.
I think that is how they talk to each other.
One would change the patterns on it's body, and the other one would change it's colors to match, it's like talking with colors."

"Girls, I think you are right, I was thinking the same thing.”

“Miss Marks, what do you think?"

"Frankly, to be honest, I'm still trying to process what I have seen, let alone make any determination as to anything else.
I came here tonight to have a little fun on some wild goose chase.
I never expected to actually catch a wild goose.

I pride myself on keeping an open mind about anything, but tonight I have to open it wider than I ever thought possible.
The world I knew was relativity stable and predictable well, not anymore.
So now that we know that these things exist, my question is, what now?"

"First thing, girls, I think we have had enough excitement for the night.
I want the two of you in bed and snoring in ten minutes after you have brushed your teeth.
Now hop to it!"

The first one to speak up was May.

"Oh poo Daddy, we're too excited to sleep.
Can't we stay up late, we don't have to go to school tomorrow if you write us a note."

"No, you can't stay up late, now the two of you scat and get ready for bed.
If you're good, I'll let Miss Marks tuck you in."

With that promise, the girls were off like a shot to the bathroom.

"Julie, a little bribery can work wonders, don't you think."

Ten minutes later, the little hellions raced each other to their respective beds.
As promised, Julie did the honors of tucking them into bed.
Making sure to tuck the blanket around them and fluff up their pillows.
She gave each of the girls a peck on the forehead before we lowered the lights and closed the door.

"Julie, are you thirsty?
Why don't we grab something to drink and retreat to the living room to talk?"

"Frank, that sounds good.
I need to have a little bracer to begin sorting out all that has happened tonight."

Leading the way downstairs, Julie settled on the couch while I grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses.