10 Minute Tales

Jan 15 - Murky Depths Pt. 3 (15 mins)

"I suppose there is no information available about it being left on a desk, then?"

"None." The professor frowned as he examined the shells again. "It's a most curious thing, this symbol hasn't been used in centuries. It's very obscure, only..."

"Hm?"

"The shells used in this one aren't native to any one area." He frowned slightly. "Someone has gone to great extent to give you a seemingly genuine article of an ill omen from a mostly-forgotten tribe."

"That is curious..." Arthur frowned, putting his chin in his hand as he thought. He had explored before, yes, but nothing had gone sour. He had no enemies he could think of, no unsettled debts.

"Let us move to the matter at hand." Scottson coughed gently, taking a seat.

"Ah, yes, of course." Arthur nodded, taking the shells back and putting them in the suitcase. He had nearly forgotten why he had set this date on his calendar for weeks in advance! He brought the papers out and presented them to he professor. "I apologise again for the incomplete index, I'll be providing them as soon as I can."

"Very well." Scottson nodded, reading through the first couple of pages. Arthur smiled and leaned back, but in his mind he was going through the list of dangers. What if Scottson didn't like the proposal? What if the board didn't? This was an unprecedented experiment, one he himself wouldn't have believed had the newspaper printed it. He kept himself stoic, however, and sipped the cooling tea again. He would just have to believe. Scottson was a wise man, and a curious one. He, too, would want to know what secrets lurked at the bottom of the ocean. Scottson turned to the next page, adjusting his glasses slightly.

"I'm not hearing a no so far." Arthur commented, grinning cockily - far more so than he felt.

"I'll admit intrigue, but these designs of yours... are you sure they're safe?"

"Safe as safe can be. Our engineer friend looked the first plans over and laughed, before charging me to redo them. I believe it a charge well earned."

"Very good." Scottson nodded. "It's too early to say for sure, but I think we might have this year's major expedition. Just finish the index, and come back as soon as you can. We'll talk again once you've got everything together."

"Of course." Arthur smiled more sincerely, offering his hand to shake Scottson's. The two shook briefly, then Arthur left the office. Again, the eyes stared.

———

He rushed home as fast as dignity would allow and hastily slid a fresh sheet of paper into the typewriter. The first damaged page of the index was still legible, so he started to type again. He barely managed to write the first line before there was a heavy knock on the door, a hammering series of thuds that shook the door in its frame.

"Good heavens, what on earth...?" He started to ask himself, getting up to see who it was. The slamming knock continued as he approached the door, but stopped abruptly as he reached for the handle. He paused, frowning a little, but threw it open. What he saw confused him; the street was coated in shell charms, as far as he could see in either direction! He stepped outside and looked around, confused. There wasn't a soul to be seen, not a sound of the city to be heard. He shook his head, confused, and rubbed his eyes. When he opened them again, the charms were gone. As quickly as they had appeared. "What the devil...?" He muttered, turning to enter his house again.
There was a figure in the doorway.
It was squat and wearing a cloak, hiding most of its features in the cold shadows. Only the eyes were visible, almost a luminous yellow and with sharp, narrow slits where the pupil should be.

"Don't go." A voice warned, but not from the figure. Confused further, Arthur turned to look. The cloaked figure had somehow moved to be where he looked!

"It is dangerous."

"You are not welcome."

"You will die if you go." Every warning the voice whispered came from another direction, every whisper from the cloaked figure that moved without moving.

"Enough!" Arthur blurted. "Who are you? What is going on here?!"