Elphyra

I

It was a cloudy, rainy day, the air smelling of a light mist, the day I met Elphyra. I was at my dad’s dock, helping unload the boat from a long day on the water. I picked up the backpack and blanket my brother brought from the convertible couch bed when a huge jolt knocked the boat around. I was frightened, so I ran out to the deck and peered over the side. Another jolt. This time, I almost fell off the edge. I tumbled backwards once I regained my stance and landed right by the steering wheel. I heard a scratching sound, like nails on a chalkboard, coming from underneath the boat. It moved me around in continuous circles like a carousel does to a young five year-old. After the shaking stopped, water started spurting and spewing out from where the scratching came from underneath the boat. I shrieked and jumped to my feet. I ran to the edge of the boat, ready to jump off and swim for my life when a blue-webbed hand with ice-blue fingernails and scales lined up and down the hands groped the edge of the boat. I screamed, not knowing what to do. I ran to the other side, but once I got there, the scaly teal hand beat me there. My heart pounded so fast, I could barely keep composure. I stayed still, hoping the webbed fingers would sense my calm, like a dog senses fear. I guess the hand knew because it whispered, “I am Elphyra and I will get you….”