Year of study: fifth
Assignment type: solo
I hit the stormy waves and feel myself tugged down amidst a vortex of bubbles. A hand, its grip like iron, is wrapped around my ankle, dragging me deeper. I kick and struggle, writhing from side to side. Where is the human girl? Is the merrow pulling her down too?
I think of my sword, and a second later it appears in my flailing hand. I sweep it through the water, so much slower than through air, and feel it connect with the merrow’s fist. His grip loosens enough for me to kick free. With a rush of bubbles, he surges up through the water behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. I catch a flash of his silver tail as he drags me down once more.
I send magic shooting down to my hands. I heat them up as fast as I can, then clamp them over the merrow’s arms. He jerks away immediately, the heat searing through his skin. With lungs screaming for air, I kick for the surface. I pull at the water, but it’s slow, so slow. Just like my nightmares.
You have magic, dammit, use it!
Right, how the hell did I forget that? I aim my hands down and force a blast of magic out of each one, propelling myself up and up and up until my head breaks the surface. I gasp, taking in great gulps of deliciously cold air.
Where is she? Where is the girl who was pulled off the pier by that merrow? I see her then, fighting the waves to get to shore. But she’ll never reach it before the merrow reaches her. I plunge through the water after her, feeling the ghost of the merrow’s grip on my ankles.
~ ~ ~
Like this flash fiction? Find out more about the Creepy Hollow series.
If you'd like to know more about my A to Z flash fiction pieces, read my A to Z Challenge Theme for 2012 post.
11 comments:
Wow! So creepy and spectacular! Loved it!
Plus, it reminds me a little bit of Triwizard Tournament task in Harry Potter 4. :)
Thanks :) Did you ever play chasing games in the swimming pool when you were young? I was always afraid that someone was gonna catch my ankle JUST as I pulled myself out of the pool on the other side! Ugh, I can feel phantom hands on my leg right now!
Oh yeah, the triwizard tournament was awesome!
I was holding my breath just reading this!
I'd never heard of a marrow until today. Yipes, it's creepy. Delicious writing, Rachel.
Very cool. I love Merrows. A scene from a novel I may one day get around to finishing involves merrows.
I'm doing a flash fiction theme for a-z as well. Mine is a good deal less focused than yours :-)
Nice work. Great description. Keep 'em coming!
Exciting scene!
Hi Rachel,
It is interesting and intriguing as well as an exciting scene, makes me want to read!
Those damn water-based creatures.
Powerful prose! The Voice is fantastic.
Wow, very tense! You had me holding my breath like the girl under water. Here's my favorite line: "I plunge through the water after her, feeling the ghost of the merrow’s grip on my ankles."
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