The rains were coming, and coming fast. Waves rocked up and down, in chaotic rhythm, splashing and crashing against one another spraying salted water far and wide. The sky was grey, almost black, blending with the horizon in all directions. Save for the jungled islands in the distance.

"Shouldn't we head back Donna?" Came a grizzled voice, rough from a lifetime of smoke. He coughed, as he trotted over. "The water's getting rougher, and there's nothing out here."

A tall muscular woman, her large gut constrained by green waterproof overalls, turned with a determined expression. "It's season out here, and we've found almost nothing. There's something wrong Fredrick!"

There was a dire tone in her voice, one that went beyond a paycheck. Far from being concerned about the fish either, Donna's voice carried a deeper fear. An anxiety. That something was going seriously wrong, and fast. This part of the coast should be teeming with fish, nets should be full. But there's nothing... except for the occasional cluster of bones. The water's clear, there's no oil spill or algae bloom. Something else is happening... even an outbreak of disease would leave tons of carcasses. There's something eating the fish. And en masse.

Donna liked to think she wasn't superstitious. But the radio said that some campers had gone missing on these islands recently. And she couldn't shake the feeling it was related to the fish disappearing.

"Frederick! You and Kat steer us closer to that lagoon!"

"What? But Donna! If we don't go back soon- we'll have to wait out the storm!" Kat shouted, clutching at her increasingly wet vest.

She flashed a glare at them, they could practically see her neck veins bulging. "Did I stutter!?"

Quickly, they maneuvered their boat towards the lagoon and she glared out at the sea. Pondering.

.......

Their boat nearly bounced and swayed under the pressure of the waves, as they maneuvered towards the islands.

Beneath them, a great shadow began to rise up. Shadows of swimming figures, gigantic serpentine forms snaking around underneath the ship. Swirling around mockingly around the net, before retreating deeper into the sea. Back into the darkness far beneath.

......

The lagoon was far calmer, the water stiller, even with the blowing wind.

Kat walked over to Donna, adjusting her heavy vest and waterproof pants. The entire ensemble a bit too big for her. "Donna... are you sure we should still be out here."

"I've been through worse, and that's not an exaggeration for once." Donna grabbed onto her harpoon, one that Kat always thought was for decoration. "But I've got a bad feeling something's in the water... and if there is. It's going to be coming here to escape the rough seas."

"Wait... what??" Kat said, clutching her vest. "You're joking right?" She released a nervous laugh. "P-P-Pulling my leg."

Frederick exited the cabin, holding a large waterproof camera. "She only gets this look when she feels it in her bones." He said, trying to make light of the hostile intent in Donna's voice. "It's probably a... uh... killer whale, coming down from the north or something. Or worse- fishing competition."

Donna scoffed, but didn't say much else. Frederick was trying to relax Kat, and she wouldn't want to stop that. If her gut was right... she didn't want to risk a panic.

......

The serpentine shadows slithered into the lagoon, deep beneath the surface, all but scraping the bottom of the salty seaweed forest. They nuzzled and caressed each other, knotting and sliding around forming a great big mass of darkness. Shapeless... unable to be seen by the surface as any one organic mass.

The shapeless mass drifted, far beneath, the boat the only thing blocking the faint light above.

One massive tendril snaked around, and tongued the anchor line. Giving it a little tug. An evil smile reflected the dim light.

Several serpentine necks shot up towards the surface. With cruelty in their eyes.

.............................................

Sorry for the late late late post today! Being gentle and slow with myself.

But here we are! The semi-final story for this year!

Starring buff Donna and the sea serpents!