The Corpse of South Tserron

Chapter 1: The Call

The cool sea breeze strike against my face as my feet dangle from the edge of the pier. The sun was dipping down, painting the sky bright red as the ocean sparkle across the horizon. I haven't felt this peaceful in a long time. I smile as the waves lull me to sleep with each passing wave gently touching the rocks.

The sun had finally dipped down and the only thing accompanying me were the lights on the dock. It was time for me to head back but before I can stand up, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned around to be greeted by a white summer dress slowly caressed by the gentle sea breeze while her long blue hair flows down to her waist. She was beautiful and I can't take my eyes off her.

When I realized that I was staring too intently, I quickly snapped back into reality and faced the sea once more, my cheeks were red from embarrassment and my smile was from cheek to cheek. It felt like I did something wrong so I tried to calm myself down. It was getting cloudy and the breeze turned from a gentle rub to a light gust so I stood up to turn back only to be welcomed by her stunning presence. I smiled at her and waved in a calm composed manner before leaving the pier but as I passed her, I felt her hand grab mine.

I turned around to face her only to be met with an emotionless glare, her grip tightened slightly as she uttered the phrase in a cold tone.

"Do you want to go to the middle of the sea with me?"

By this point in time, I can hear the drizzle of the rain approaching I was confused as to what she meant by that or if I should take it seriously. I did not know what to say to such an odd request or if I should take it as a date of some sort. I was scared, I was excited, I was anxious, I was happy, I was a mess and it showed in my face. She looked me in the eyes once again asked.

"Do you want to go with me?"

I looked at her in bewilderment as her tone became warmer. She smiled at me and it won me over. She was the only ray of sunshine amidst the rain pouring over us. I felt compelled to answer her question so without hesitation I said.

"I would love to go to the ocean"

She gave an excited smirk before hiding it when she looked down, she then looked at me and her eyes glowed bright blue. The winds became stronger and began to swirl around us. The boards started to fly off into the ocean yet she was calm inside the eye of the storm while I was panicking. I dropped to my knees and closed my eyes praying that all of this would stop. She slowly let go of my hand as I quickly placed both on top of my head protecting myself from debris surrounding us. I then felt a warm hug encompass me and shortly after a whisper.

"In times of great stress, I want you to listen to me. Even if it's not logical I want you to do it. Now Jun, open your eyes"

I felt a sense of safety in her words so I opened my eyes only to be greeted with darkness around me. I looked around me to see where I ended up only to discover a faint red glow.

"1:39"

I breathed a sigh of relief, it was just a weird dream that I need to brush off. It's too early to do any of my morning routines so I went downstairs to my fridge to grab a carton of milk before going to sleep. As I poured milk in my glass, the sound of a girl's cry graced my ears and in a worried tone, she said.

"Go to The Pier"

I choked on milk for a bit as I turned around to make sure no one was behind me. The hair on my body stood up as the sound echoed in my head. It was as if she was whispered in my ears. I brushed it off as a figment of my imagination and decided to go back to sleep until I heard it again while I was scaling the stairs.

"Please Go to The Pier"

Chills ran down my spine and my heart sank to my stomach as the cry became louder and tearful sobs accompany the voice. I didn't know what was going to happen next but I do know that the next cry would be louder and I wouldn't get a wink of sleep after that. It was an outrageous idea to go outside at this time of night since South Tserron Island enforces a strict curfew from 10 pm to 3 am. I grabbed a flashlight and went outside to the pier which was just across the street.

I opened my door slowly avoiding any creaks as I closed it gently and locked my door. I was greeted by the countless stars that shine in the night partnered with the cold breeze brushing lightly against my body. I took off my slippers and walked silently across the asphalt road until I felt the cold sand burying itself between my toes. The alluring sight of a full moon always made me calm, the gentle flow of the tides kissing the sand serves as the perfect hymn to feel inner peace. The voice in my head was correct about one thing, I wouldn't feel relaxed if I just forced myself to sleep. I looked at the bright full moon and thanked it with a smile. I was going back to my house when I heard a car going my way. I breathed a sigh of disappointment as flipped off the moon. I already know that it was the night patrol and I was bound to get caught. I crawled my way into the bottom of the pier as I waited for the patrol to pass by.

I held my breath as they walked along the pier, the creaking sounds of old wood was a haunting noise as they took out their flashlights to make sure that no one was there. I narrowly avoided the beams of light shining through the crevice of each board. I was hoping that they would walk away and I vowed to never listen to my sub-conscience again After a few minutes of checking, they spoke.

"No one's here"

I gently exhaled as I heard the men walked away from the pier, I was about to crawl back to my house when I heard a splash in the water partnered with a bone-chilling sound.

"Help me!"

The men ran back to the car and drove off. I didn't know what was thrown into the ocean but as soon as I heard them leave, I immediately untied the emergency boat and rode it out to sea. The water was still and clear, the light of the full moon shines through the darkness of night revealing what the ocean world is like when everyone else is asleep. It was a beautiful sightseeing the fish swim towards the surface but I knew that I had to save whatever was thrown. After paddling to the end of the pier, the same voice spoke in a worried tone.

"Swim down!"

I saw the sack from the above and followed what the voice commanded. I swam down through the water without hesitation The deeper I swam, the colder the water got but the adrenaline coursing through my veins is keeping me warm. My arms were exhausted but I couldn't stop now. My legs were starting to cramp and I was about to give up until my hand touched the sack, I grabbed on to it and swam towards the boat. It didn't get easier swimming up since I didn't expect the sack to be this heavy. I felt exhausted as I carried the sack towards the boat, every paddle just became heavier and heavier until my left arm cramped up. With only my right hand, I pushed the sack on board as I dragged myself to get on board. The pain my left arm felt was terrible and I couldn't move it but I was relieved that I got the sack on the boat. The sack was still moving and panicking until I spoke to it in a very exhausted voice.

"Calm Down.....You're safe...."

I was still catching my breath as the sack calmed down, I managed to untie the sack with one hand to be surprised with a warm hug. There was a girl in the sack and she cried in my shoulders while hugging me tightly. In a painful sob, she said

"You came...You came.....I was so scared"

I could feel my chest tighten as I struggle to breathe, she was squeezing my left arm so hard that I yelled in pain. It was at this moment that she let go of the hug and looked at me with a face of relief and fear. I smiled at how stupid I was to follow a voice out to sea but then again, she would have been dead if I hadn't.