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It Dwells in Dark Waters
Topic Started: Nov 4 2009, 10:52 PM (118 Views)
Ash
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n00blet
At forty years of age, Devon Spencer was an utter failure at life. His wife left him after only three years of marriage, taking his kids along with his possessions. His children how hated him, and he couldn't blame them; what was there to love in a man who was never there, never with a steady job (or woman for that matter), never anything more than a peon?

Suicide had rested on his mind for a very long time. He always delayed, hoping that things would eventually get better. Reality soon set in when they never did. It was firmly set in stone, to Devon at least, that he would end up killing himself. He didn't know how or when, but no matter what, the same thing would be written by the coroner in his death report: suicide. Be it by hanging, shooting, or overdose, it was all under the same simple classification.

The day came for him when a small white envelope arrived in the mail. He checked his box at the apartment complex, and instead of the usual assortment of bills and legal accusations, he found an unmarked envelope. Devon was puzzled, but returned home with it nonetheless. He ripped it open as he entered the small apartment, the living room in a constant state of squalor. He put on his reading glasses, the lenses magnifying his beady eyes and turning him into some sort of giant insect. He plopped his not inconsiderable girth onto the moth-eaten sofa, and read.

Dear MR. SPENCER,

We regret to inform you that our company, BRIGHTVALE INSURANCE, has been liquidated, and it assets distributed among the major shareholders. We realize that this will cause some inconvenience for former employee, and would like to invite you to LEROY-ELMORE PARK on JAN. 16th at 7:30 PM to discuss further employment opportunities. We hope to see you soon!

-Janet Leeman
CEO/Founder

Devon stared at the sheet for several moments in complete disbelief. Something clicked in his head, and the floodgates holding back his furious thoughts broke. How the hell could they fire him after two years' employment without any notice, or at least some form of severance pay? Oh yes, he would go see them at the park. He glanced at his calendar, the woman in the bikini seeming to stare at him disapprovingly. It was January 16th. He hurriedly glanced at his watch. 6:17. Pushing himself up with a grunt, he grabbed his car keys and headed out the door.

*****

Devon took a second cursory glance at his watch, and sighed in relief. He had gotten stuck in traffic at a car accident, and feared that he may have been late. He pulled his old Volkswagen off the main road, pulling in to someone's empty driveway. He slammed the door as he got out, his previous anger returning. He saw no one there, the area completely deserted. Devon made his way to the wooden bench that laid just before where the land gave way to water.

The table seemed ancient, though could be no more than ten years old. As he lay his arms on its rough surface, interlocking his fingers, he couldn't help but wonder how many people had sat there before him. How many had been in love? For that matter, how many foolish teenagers had made love in the darkness here? How many had been suicidal or depressed? How many had completed their final act? And how many more would come after him?

His anger was slowly disappearing, the rolling boil brought down to a simmer. It was replaced with depression, his masochistic mind turning back to all of his worst mistakes, all of the reasons that he was no longer needed in this world. And would it not be so easy to just jump in the lake and breathe its waters? They would find him soon enough, his bloated carcass pushed to shore by the steady winds.

It felt as though he had never had such a wonderful idea. The prime achievement of his life, really. For what reason was he still alive? What held him to this world but a family that despised him? Besides, he was just going for a little swim, nothing serious. Surely no one would notice his absence. Or even care if they did.

He stood up from the bench, forgetting his anger and depression. Adrenaline filled him, endorphins coursing through his brain and insane joy bursting at the seams. He sat down at the land's edge, his feet almost touching the lake shore. The wind picked up, pushing the miniature tides in his direction. The sun made a bright flare of light over the scintillating glints in the water, and Devon could easily imagine this on a postcard, lens flare flashing in his mind and superimposed over his vision for a moment.

He pushed off the land and onto the soft sands of the shore. Littered across the entire area were broken bottles, discarded cigarettes, used wrappers for various brands of candy (not to mention condoms), and other such detritus. It disgusted him how humans could so easily deface whatever beauty the happened to find. Devon removed his socks and shoes, letting his toes worm into the wet sand. The traffic surrounding the park was almost completely absent, the constant whoosh of passing cars now just a memory. The sun touched the horizon, the sky darkening with every second.

It was silent but for the gentle lapping of the waves. The waters were beginning to grow dark, the glints of light now looking much more sinister. The wind picked up further, the water now reaching his feet. It was still calm, serene despite his forthcoming act. His mind was for once clear, free of sinful thoughts, not burdened by how he was going to pay the rent, how he would manage to get his ex the child support, and the constant griping of insurance clients. Colors were brightened, the entire world standing out to him in perfect clarity. All was silent, the traffic now gone as the sun set on the city. Not a bird sounded from the trees, nor did a single blade of grass stir from the wind. The world held its breath for his performance.

He took the first step. The footing here was slippery, the uneven ground treacherous, filled with sudden pitfalls to the deeper waters. The filthy water was warm, and the fact that it really should be freezing - it was winter, after all - never crossed Devon's mind. He was completely occupied by the task at hand, his one good deed to this Earth.

As soon as his foot went into the deeper water, he was gripped by pure horror. What the hell was he doing here? This death had no meaning, no poetic justice to be had for his pathetic excuse for a life! He found himself unable to turn back, though, the water an impenetrable barrier, holding him and drawing him deeper, roaring and screeching in its banshee-like voice. The trash ripped through the air, glass shrapnel forced into his skin. Devon cried out in pain, falling to his knees and staying down. The ground slipped from under him as an unknown entity pulled him in. the water rose into the air, the droplets gravitating into a single massive ball, rope-like tendrils of liquid emanating from it. The tentacles flew through the air, smacking into him and ripping through his clothes, leaving huge welts and quickly forming bruises. He was now up to his neck in the water, his entire body trapped beneath the surface. The tendrils flowed around him underwater, seeming almost solid, separate from the water that held him down. His screams ripped the twilight of the setting sun, his mind aflame in terror. The thick ropes of water grasped his limbs, stopping his struggles and hastening his descent. His last breath was choked with muddy water as the gargantuan weight of the sentient orb crashed down upon him.

Your thoughts have called me. I am glad to have found you. You aren't the first. And you won't be the last..., a voice spoke in Devon's mind. He let out a gurgled scream into the water as it closed in around him, malevolence and evil scouring his mind.

The sun set on Devon Spencer's world for the last time.

*****

No missing person report was filed, no complaints of strange noises called in, nor any questions of why a beat-up Volkswagen was illegally parked near the lake. Life went on, and no one noticed the passing of the failure from one world to the next. He had no will, and his estate (what little of it there was) was divided among his family. No body was ever found, though an observation of the lake would reveal that ducks tended to avoid the area.

A researcher jokingly said: "Maybe they know something we don't." This was treated with slight chuckles, and they continued their research, unheeding of the truth their friend had spoken.

Brightvale Insurance CEO Janet Leeman was puzzled at the sudden disappearance of Mr. Spencer, as he had been a dedicated worker for quite a while. She shrugged off her worry, and he was replaced within a week. The world moved on, and no one questioned his absence.


Author's note:

I wrote this while sitting on the very same bench in the story, thinking much the same things. I know that this story isn't very good, but it was the best interpretation of the feelings I had at the time I could get down quickly. I am dissatisfied with the ending, and intend to change it and add in a bit more character exposition.
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Aru
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Quite Simply Me
It did make me think of you while I was reading it, actually o.o

Good job, just very depressing.
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Have a question? Please don't hesitate to contact me! I swear I don't bite too hard :3
I make all of my graphics and refuse to request from anyone other than AMI. Just so ya'll know.
(My current set was made by me! =D)
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