Abby

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Abby the Fisherman’s Wife

She was plain. There was no beauty in the way her dirty blonde hair curled damply around her neck or the tired lackluster brown eyes she possessed.  Her body, with age, had started to sag and new wrinkles appeared upon her face daily.  Her hands , once soft, turned corase and weathered. So, no, Abby wasn’t the most attractive woman in the world. Even as a youngester, far away from the harsh sea she now lived near, there was nothing spectacular about her.  All she had that was worth any beauty was her soft smile.  A smile that seemed to light up her face and shed the years away.

She had married a man out of desperation. Her family had been slowly sinking into debt and the man came with many prospects but, as of most prospects in this man’s past, it came to nothing.  So, he had settled for fishermans’ work.  The work was very up and down depending on what the man caught. Some days the couple had enough to cover all the expenses they occurred while other times, the sea did not give out any fish.

Her life had been hard, that was apparent, but as she gazed out onto the water she felt the cool sea air brush her ever so softly, and with that air, she felt peaceful. The wind was calm, and the sleepy waves lapped happily on the shore. Slowly, slipping out of her worn brown shoes,  she walked towards the water. The water rolled over her feet, soaking them instantly. She stood there, for what seemed like forever, just gazing out at the slowly darkening sky and water.  She inhaled the salty sea air deeply before mournfully stepping away from the water.

Scooping up her shoes, she walked on the sand to her small house, which was nestled near the caves that hugged the shoreline.  Her long white dress was trailing behind her, as her body creaked and groaned from another long day’s work. Setting her shoes before the plain wooden door of her house, she opened it.  Looking behind her, she saw the sun slipping down and gently falling into the sea. Quickly, she walked inside and grabbed  the flint to start a fire.  A cold chilliness filled her as her superstitions took hold. It was said that if you were out  of doors when night fell, dark creatures of the night would grab you and drag you into the sea.  Only the light in the window would keep these menaces away until morning. Grabbing some steel, she struck the two together,  lighting a small lamp hanging in the window. The light glowed brightly, spreading its warmth inside the room and out.  Swepping towards the fireplace, she struck the flint again, lighting the cooking fire efficently.  Sighing, she brought out the soup from yesterday and put it over the fire. She gazed around the sturdy, but clean house.

The fireplace was on the left side of the door, on the far wall. A plain brown table stood in the middle of the room. A small staircase to the right of the door led upstairs, where a cold bed awaited her. Her husband had been out to sea for two weeks and the stillness of the world when he was gone unnerved her. A person would think, that being a fishermans’ wife, she would’ve gotten over the long lonely nights.  Abby, was always uneasy in the darkness. The shadows always seemed to hold more than just shadows, to her.   Many times, she had burned candles down to the base, leaving them on as she slept. Her husband had been furious and hadn’t fed her those weeks. She kept doing it, though, for the shadows were always there.

Stirring the soup that had been hanging on a hook over the fire, she brought out one cracked bowl and a small cup for water.  She had oftened longed for children. She wasn’t praticularly fond of children, but she supposed that having her own would’ve changed how she felt.  She could see it so clearly in her mind; a boy and a girl, lively and curious, laughing and talking around the table.  The night wouldn’t seem so dark, nor so ominous, with others to share time with. Her daughter would have her hair color, but her fathers’ eyes – blue. Her son would be the spitting image of her husband but better; her son would be not be the failure that her husband was. He would care for, and take care of, her and her daughter, leaving them wealthy with all his endeavors.  Her daugther would be beautiful and lithe. She would have compassion and grace, leaving the hardworking world of fishing, and marrying a well-to-do gentleman.   She would go to parties and be the most regal woman there. Smiling off into the space , Abby began to hum. The song was simple, but elegant. It reminded her of a time that had passed, a future she could’ve had. Soon the song was pouring from her lips loud and clear. It brought out her smile even wider, as she sang.

A knock startled her out of her moment. Looking around, she spotted the lamp in the window  had sputtered out. Fear gripped her fiercely as she fumbled to light it again. The knock came again and she glimsped a shape in the darkness as she put the lamp up.  The light showed a man of 30, with a black slouch hat upon his head. He was wearing a long dark coat, with an elegant white shirt. His black trousers completed the outfit,  for the man was barefoot.

“Who…who is it?” she called out softly, fear gripping her feminine voice. The man reared back slightly and then looked into the window. He had the greenest eyes she had ever beheld, and they held her captive. He had long black lashes that framed his almond shaped eyes perfectly.

“May I come in, fair lady? I have been traveling for many miles and need a place of shelter for the night, an if it wouldn’t trouble you, I could use some dinner as well,” his rich bass voice resonated.  Her insides seemed to squirm as she processed what he had said. Fair Lady?  Wouldn’t trouble her? Her husband would’ve screamed at her to open the damn door and get his food out quickly. To have a man take such care in talking to her made her want to melt.   He seemed decent enough, dressed finely except for his missing shoes.

“Of..of course,” she said breathily.  She swung the door open, and he stood towering in front of her.  He was easily 6 foot tall, with just the right amount of muscle showing through his shirt. He took a step into the small house and she blushed with shame. How could a man, who looked like a fine and proper gentlemen, stand to be in the presence of such low class surroundings. The man, however, walked around her house in wonder. Touching things softly with his long fingers. He traced the wooden table delicately, as he looked about.

“You have a fine home,” he said, the timbre of his deep voice shaking her to her toes.

“Well, thank you sir. We get by,” she said moving to the fireplace to scoop up some bubbling soup. She pouredit into her finest bowl,and placed it gently on the table in front of him.

“It isn’t much sir, but please do sit and enjoy,” Abby breathed stepping from the table.  He looked at her again, locking eyes.

“Thank you for your kindness,” he murmered.  Sitting gracefully for a man so tall he picked up a wooden spoon. She felt awkward and uncomfortable, as she stood close to the stairs, away from him.

“Do I displease you? Why won’t you join me?” he said gesturing to the table.

“Oh, I just….”she flundered.

“Come. You were obviously ready to eat. Why don’t we dine together?” he said his eyes dancing. Watching his eyes light up like that made her descision for her. Grabbing a bowl for herself, she sat across from him.  They sat in silence spoons hitting the bottom of the bowls.

Finally she said, “Where do you hail from?” Glancing up she was surprised at his smirk and his eyes taking her in appreciatively. A blush worked it’s way up into her cheeks as she glanced down again.

“I come from all over,” he said mysteriously, “I am more interested in you.”

“You are, sir?” she whispered staring at his lips.

“Of course! A beauty like yourself all alone in the darkness. Where is your husband? Your children?”

“My husband is out to sea and I have no children. We were not blessed with them, sir.”

“If I can be bold, I dare say that your husband is a stupid man for letting you out of his sight for a second.”  The blush was now permanently affixed on her face as his kind words flowed over her. Never had a man or woman spoken so agreeably to her before.  She was plain, everyone said so. This man, whom she had just meet, had been kinder to her than anyone else in her whole life.

She said smiling, “You are very bold, sir, and your words speak lies. For, I am not the beauty you believe me.”

“On the contrary, I do believe that you are one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen, madam.”  He smiled at her and her heart fluttered. Perfect, straight white teeth shone from his kind face.  A strong nose sat upon his face and his features worked in harmony.

“You may stay here if you wish. I will make the bed upstairs,” she said standing quickly, trying to break his eye contact with hers.  With haste, she strode away but before she reached the stairs, he stopped her.

“Was that you singing so beautifully?” he asked her openly.

“It…it was, sir,” she said not turning around.

“Simply exquiste,” he said, “Can I bother you to sing again?”  Again? Her voice was average at best, not the worst but still not the best.

“Sir, I do not think…” she started to say.

He held up a hand, “If you will indulge me.”  Turning around they locked eyes, and  as if someone else was controlling her, she opened her mouth and sang. The tune was jaunty and fun. The man closed his eyes and his feet started tapping. Quickly standing, he grabbed her hand and pulled her close. He led her in a small waltz, as she sang loud and clear. He twirled, dipped and danced her around the room. The strange man was making her laugh, and she felt young again.  Suddenly, she became aware of the sand on her feet. Sand? The music died on her lips as she noticed, for the first time, that she was outside, far away from her house.  The man continued to dance with her, but the world was twirling too fast, now.

“Stop,” she said, frightened. The man just laughed and led her into another dance. Soon, her feet began to ache, and she resisted even more.

Pushing against him she yelled, “Stop, sir! STOP!” She felt water lapping around her feet, and the cool seemed to soothe the ache of dancing.  But he soon pulled her further out into the water as they kept dancing. Before long, the water was up around her thighs.  He was dragging her around now, she no longer a participant.

They stopped abruptly when the water hit her collarbone. He looked at her, his eyes flashing dangerously, his hat still firmly on his head, the long trousers and black coat soaked. He looked as if he wanted to eat her up.

“Don’t leave, Abby. I have heard your song for many months while waiting for my turn to change.  I have felt your heartache, your loss, your heart. I know you, as you will know me. They say I have wasted my change to get you; that I should find a prettier  girl who is younger, a girl who knows not what it means to have struggled. But, I can see you, Abby.  I can see your heart and what you wish for.  I can give you those things, the wealth, children,  and happiness that you long for. Come with me. If you refuse, I am afraid I will have to drag you out here, like so many others do, and kill you. This choice I freely give to you. Chose wisely.” His green eyes met hers as a cold wind wipped across the water, chilling her.

“Where would we go?”

“To the sea. To the very bottom,” he said seriously.  A long scream echoed painfully around them turning her head towards the bay where the town was, she spotted bright blonde hair struggling with someone in the water.

“Don’t look, Abby,” he said gently moving her head to look at him.

“What’s happening?” she asked, fear rippling through her.

“The nature of us,” he said mysteriously, “You can’t look Abby. If you look, it would be the last thing you do.” The screams reached higher and higher until the broke off in a gurgle. Soon, the scream was accominpaned by another scream.  Very soon, the whole sea seemed to echo screaming.

“Please, what is going on? Are your kind killing them?” she said tears streaming down her face.

“You need to decided. What will you do, my songbird?” She longed to look around, maybe help in someway but the fear of her own death stilled her head. So she cried into the sea, adding more salt to it.

The Next Night

                The fisherman was cranky.  He hadn’t caught anything all night  and he was starving. His wife hadn’t packed enough food, so here he was starving his ass off. Grumbling about how unworthy she was, he lazily let his boat dock in a small cove. Lighting a lamp on the front end of the boat, he laid down on the deck  watching the stars glitter above him. Ungrateful, wench. Always complaining about not having kids, not having enough money. He did all the work and what did she provide? Nothing. A plain, boring, ungrateful wife. Snorting slightly, he wondered what she did while he was away.

“Gunther,” a voice whispered across the water. The fisherman lifted his head slightly. Just the wind, Gunther old buddy, just the wind.

“Gunther, please come to the water. I have fish for you,” the persistant voice whispered. Abby? Leaning over the ship he glanced down.  A goddess floated in the water with long blonde curly hair and warm brown eyes. Her lips were full and pink as she smiled at him.

“Gunther,” the creature breathed.

“Ab-bbbby?” he stuttered out gazing at the youthful being in front of him. He smiled back at her transfixed as she lifted a small hand and placed it on his arm.

“Come, I have fish for you,” she said smiling, as she pulled him out of the boat and dragged him down into the icy blackness.

Faster and faster she pulled him down, all the while smiling widely.  Tonight, she would feast for the first time with her love; the man who had opened her eyes to the great depth, where her people flourished.  Her people breathed the icy water in, and could change only once every  seven years. Even now, her body began to take its true form, long sharp teeth with webbed toes, a creature of darkness who feared the light and played in the deep. Her body swam smoothly to the depths, as her form shredded the last of the pale human she once was.  She gripped on tighter to the meat, as she spotted her love ahead, awaiting her with open arms.