Writing for Fun
January 2018
What Lies Beneath - Maureen Rampersaud
The sea was sparkling, crystal clear right to the bottom. Marcus let his hand ripple the surface, enjoying the sensuality of the experience. Uncle Joe had moored the boat near the shore while he had a nap below.
Marcus felt someone grab his hand. Shocked, he jumped up, swearing.
‘That’s not very gentlemanly. I was just being friendly . . . fancy a swim?’
She bobbed around in the water next to the boat. Her ethereal beauty took his breath away.
Her long hair, swirling in the sea was the colour of golden sand and her eyes were as green-blue as the ocean. Without a second thought, he slipped into the water beside her.
‘Who are you?’
‘I’m Adrianna. My dad’s villa is up there.’
Marcus took in the sight of the palatial residence on the cliff above.
‘Is he a millionaire or something?’
Her eyes clouded.
‘I don’t know, all that’s boring. Follow me.’
She swam off gracefully, effortlessly, but at quite a pace, so Marcus set off before he lost her.
They stopped by a rocky outcrop. She looked into his eyes and whispered, ‘We’ll dive down here, just follow me. There’s a secret cave where we can be alone.’
He was mesmerized, he had never been so entranced by a girl before. He followed her down.
Her hands were round his neck, he stared at her in disbelief. Her beautiful face had darkened with a look of hatred as she tightened her grip. He came to his senses and struggled against her. He wondered how a girl who seemed so fragile a moment ago, could possess such strength and tenaciousness. He fought for his life, then all went black.
He woke with a gulp as the seawater gushed from his mouth. A man leaned over him, ‘Thank God you’re alright! I thought she’d killed you as well.’
Marcus passed out again.
He awoke in a strange bed, Uncle Joe was sitting beside him.
‘How are you feeling?’
‘Alright . . . I think. What happened?’
Someone approached the bed. Marcus recognized him as the man who’d saved him.
‘I’m Adrianna’s Papa. She has problems. When she was eight, she drowned her little brother. Her Mama and I keep her in this isolated spot because we couldn’t bear to send her to an institution. That has to change now. We’re so sorry.’
‘But she’s so-so-so beautiful,’ Marcus stammered.
Uncle Joe stroked his hair, ‘Yes, dear boy, but some things are not what they seem.’