Voices of the Lagoon

Late Morning/Early Afternoon

Manuel looked to the distance as the waves crashed alongside his boat. He stood at the bow holding tight to the rope of the sail. His friend David was in the cockpit, directing the ship to Manuel’s gestures. The sky was clouding, and they were a good distance from any shore. The had lost sight of any land more than an hour ago, but David had sense enough to know the way back. It was more the possible storm in near open water that worried him. Not for the first time on this trip did David regret agreeing to help Manuel.

“A simple jaunt out, small island, then back home. That’s what he said, didn’t bother mentioning it was in the open ocean.” David complained internally, eyes always turning to the canisters of fuel Manuel stocked near him. Manuel was a careful man and would not allow them to be stranded. This didn’t give David any comfort.

Manuel was oblivious, or uncaring, of David’s thoughts. His eyes were kept to the distance, though how he could navigate without stars or a compass was a mystery. Suddenly the waters grew harsher, faster. The boat shook, but Manuel was still. He kept his eyes to the horizon, only looking around the general vicinity of the boat every few minutes, and then only a glance. David could not see the water directly around them, but he did not think overly long on it. This far out could have any number of predators.

“There!” Manuel suddenly called out, pointing to the starboard side of the ship. It was a speck, but it was land. David turned, heading for it. Even a small island would be welcome, though as they approached the water grew more unsteady still. “Don’t use the propeller! Keep the water steady, the wind will take us in!” he called again. David didn’t like it, but he did as told. It wasn’t much longer before they reached their destination, and David wanted nothing more than to turn back.

A lagoon like island, a ring of sand and trees that could be circled in less than ten minutes. Inside was a pool of water, several rocks jutting from within. A single house dug into the sand, crag stone and barnacle lining it with vines circling it. The wooden walls were splintered and cracked, any glass long since shattered in the windows. Several bits of it could be seen falling free and into the pool, swirling lightly as if in a whirlpool.

They docked on the sand, no platform for them to tie to. Manuel just took the rope and attached it to a tree. David shook his head but didn’t question more, and before long they were on the beach and heading toward the house. The hairs along David’s body stood on end, but he ignored them. The pair approached the door, a few minutes at most, and now David listened to his gut. Once Manuel’s hand touched the door handle dread filled David’s heart, the man turned and ran. Manuel called out, but David could not hear him. He reached the boat in moments, but almost as soon as his hand pulled on the ladder to climb the water surrounding them churned. Waves sprung forth taller than a man, threatening to overturn the boat. David reeled back, panicked.

“No” suddenly sounded in the air. David spun, only to see Manuel running to him.

“David, you can’t do that. The water is dangerous now.” Manuel told him, slowly pulling him back. “I just have to do a few things, then we can go. Okay?”

David didn’t answer, he only nodded as he watched the water settle. It was as if the sea calmed when he didn’t leave, like it wanted him to stay. Shaking the thought away David only turned and followed Manuel again. He let Manuel enter the house alone, preferring to keep away from the structure. Instead he moved to the whirlpool like lake, just looking in. He could see little things jumping out of it, fish of some sort. That was not normal, so he decided to look closer. Nothing should be able to live in a whirlpool without being dragged under.

“What in hell?” he asked out loud, watching as the twirling and spinner slowed. Each step forward it would reduce its speed. He took a few steps back, and the water sped up. He couldn’t explain that, not at all. “Must be some sort of pressure pocket or something.” David guessed, though he didn’t know it that was plausible sounding. He was not scientist, only a guy who could sail a boat. That didn’t stop him approaching closer. What he saw shocked him.

Much like a deep reef there was a multitude of fish and crustations. All moved in an odd harmony, never impeding each other, never attacking each other. He could see rare fish, and many he had never known of. In his wonderment he got close to the edge. Then something else happened, something confusing. The animals stopped, many turning toward him. Eyes fixed, bodies still, watching him. He took a step to the right, they turned with him. These eyes were dead eyes, but that’s how David saw all creatures of the sea.

“Manuel could make a fortune with this place, on rare fish alone. If you can get past the staring.” David said out loud. It didn’t take long for the eyes to get to him, so he turned and headed back toward the house. The pool turned again, the fish swimming peacefully.

David was not happy when he returned.

“It will be dark before we get back, we’re going to have to spend the night here.” Manuel said. “The water is too dangerous in the dark. You don’t have to sleep or enter the house if you don’t want to.” Manuel explained. David swore, but knew it was true. Those waves earlier were enough to keep him peaceable.

That evening

Manuel was in the house, likely sleeping for all David knew. David decided to stay outside, looking to the stars while they waited for morning. At first it was unnerving, but something else was bothering him on the tiny island. There was not a single sound, but he swore something called him. Even now, in the dead silence, something in his head told me things. Gibberish mostly, the odd call of calm, which made him do anything but. David kept turning toward the whirlpool, wanting to get closer to it, but feeling deep down he couldn’t or shouldn’t. When he wasn’t looking there to at the sky he was looking with trepidation at the sea, remembering the incident earlier. He gripped his own arm, his unease intensifying more and more. His only wish was for morning to arrive so they could leave.

In his worried musings he almost didn’t spot Manuel walking from the boat. David had not seen him leave the house, but then again it was more concerned with the oddities of the island. Figuring small talk would be nice David approached, only to stop when he saw a large box in Manuel’s hands. David didn’t recognize it but then again it wasn’t his boat. It looked to large to easily carry, Manuel could have asked for help with it. Manuel looked around, a familiar worry in his eyes. David quickly hid behind a bush.

“I’m the only other person here, who could he be hiding from?” Questioned David. His mind was running possibilities, and a paranoia set in. This island was affecting him in ways he didn’t like, now making him fearful of his friend. So, David followed the man, a short distance would be easy to keep hidden for. Manuel wasn’t to observant now. A few minutes was all it took before Manuel knelt by the whirlpool. Just as with David it stopped spinning, all the life inside watching and waiting. Manuel opened the box and tipped it over. David nearly fell over at what he saw.

As soon as the box was on its side organs fell out, severed hands and feet, hunks of flesh that David could only assume was human. Manuel quickly backed away, but the water did not spin again. Once he was away David saw the water ripple. Crabs and lobsters, octopi and fish capable to leaping onto land burst from the water. They would all grab a piece, pulling and biting, dragging them to the water where more fish seemed to tear into them. David watched as the water turned red, and then begin to twirl once more. Almost like a toilet it dragged the fish and flesh down. David, small relief at not seeing the body parts, could only look on in shock and horror. He turned from the pool to Manuel, though Manuel did not look at ease. Whatever he did, his face was saying it should be different to what happened. Suddenly Manuel ran toward the house, he shouted David’s name. David knew this was going to be important.

Thankfully for the smallness of the island David managed to reach the house moments after Manuel, but in those moments, Manuel appeared to have gone mad. His eyes were wide, his skin pale, his hair disheveled. Something was very wrong, even more so than the body parts he dumped out for the beasts.

“David, we have to make ready to leave!” he shouted. David wasn’t startled by that, not now, but confused.

“The sea is too dangerous in the dark.” David remined.

“It will be worse to stay!” Manuel shouted more.

“Right now the only dangerous thing is you!” David accused. Manuel went silent, stepping back as if struck. Seconds passed, but Manuel understood what David meant. It was easy to see anything on this island. Manuel suddenly went calm, looking up at the stars like David before.

“You’ve heard them, the silent voices?” He asked. David nodded and Manuel went to sit down on a rock. “Guess you want to know?”

“Why you dump body parts for crabs to eat, yeah.” David knew calmness was better here, a person who could do that was capable of anything. Manuel closed his eyes before speaking again.

“Some ages ago my grandfather, so many greats ago I don’t know for sure, landed here. You can see how far we are from shore; well they came from the opposite way.” He explained. “A merchant ship, bad winds had pushed them here. Some food and fish, basics to get the rest of the way, was what they took. But when they tried to leave the water wouldn’t let them. This lagoon would not give without recompense.”

“An island does want things Manuel.”

“The island no, something under it, or around it. Maybe above it.” Manuel corrected. “They all heard the voices, small at first. Then days passed, and they got louder, demanding a payment for the fish and fruit. They could not leave, and they could not fight. Slowly the voices sank deep, reaching the inner parts of their minds. As the story goes one night, this night, they turned upon each other. More than half the crew was killed, the survivors throwing the bodies into the lagoon. It churned, and churned, and spoke to them again when done.”

“People going made at sea is old as time.” David argued. Manuel chuckled at that.

“The voices told them they could leave now, but it would grant them a boon. As long as they returned every year and made payment, they would have fortune. They left, became rich men from their trade.”

“With half the crew gone that’s twice the profit. That doesn’t explain why you put body parts on a beach to get eaten.” David spoke. Manuel nodded, seeing the logic in that easily. But he continued his story.

“The crew went separate ways, one of them didn’t return to the island. Not a week after the anniversary did his wealth vanish. The rest showed in that week, bringing payment. We knew it wasn’t gold it wanted. The first dropped in a live goat and some beef steaks. These were not touched. My ancestor didn’t like this part, because it was obvious then. They all grabbed that man and threw him in. The beasts tore him to bits, and the voice spoke. It was satisfied with that, for we learned. If we wanted out we would have to give a final payment, and we would keep our wealth but gain no more.”

David was quiet, looking at his friend in disbelief. Manuel was not a superstitious man, so this didn’t make sense. David could only ask one question now.

“If this is true, why not stop? You’re a doctor, you don’t need extra money.” David said.

“I found a loophole. My family was able to stay wealthy because we brought dead bodies, I was able to go to school because of it. I also learned that the voices don’t care where the flesh comes from, so long as its human. Hospitals regularly don’t report missing cadavers. So, I cut up what I need and bring it here. Today, was different.” Manuel stopped a moment, looking at David fully. “I knew it once the pool didn’t stop. You took nothing, but by being here the island demands a payment. I brought extra with me to cover for you, couldn’t show you obviously. But it seems the island wants you to do it yourself.”

“Give of yourself, or him. We do not care.” David grabbed his head as the words suddenly entered his mind. He didn’t want to believe it, but he knew it was true.

“We’re leaving, now. I’m not killing you and you already paid so you don’t have to kill me.” David ordered.

“It won’t let us leave.” Manuel countered.

“I don’t care, we’re going now!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he could hear the pool churn faster. A ripple in the air, like a roar, filled his mind. A great stench rose through the trees, and a raw anger. David looked to the pool, his eyes went wide once more. Tentacles larger than a person rose and gripped trees. Several pincers snapped out of the water, the single joint as large as his body. David didn’t wait to see more, the grabbed Manuel’s arms and all but threw the man toward the boat. The waves, as before, slid back and forth like titanic walls. The water turned also like an arm and reached the boat itself. With force it pulled the boat away, far to distant for them to swim in calm water.

“What was that!” David shouted, Manuel could only quiver.

“I d-d-d-don’t know. I’ve never seen that before!” Manuel shouted back.

“Price must be paid, you or he. He has paid, so he need not do anything. This is the bargain.”

David was stopped dead at those words. Some thing, or many things, was waiting at the pool now. The boat was pulled away, and these voices clearly could command the water. Manuel, the only person that knew anything, was clueless, and he was given a choice. Kill his friend, who as far as he knows, nerver harmed a soul, or cut up part of himself.

“Why does it do this?” David asked.

“I don’t know.” Manuel replied.

The two could only sit there now, looking to each other while David’s mind raced with decision. The voiced hounded him, and he knew today or tomorrow, they always would.