“The Talking Sea.”

“Lovely morning!”

“Yes it is, but could change later. Weather forecast doesn’t look good.” John had heard the bleak outlook on the radio plugged into his ears via his headset.

The lady walked off with her dog following behind trying to sniff at the walls where other dogs had left there scent during their early morning exercise. John was also taking his early morning exercise as recommended by his doctor on a recent health check. “Twenty minutes exercise per day will keep your heart pumping.” He said.

This came as no surprise as although being born and bred in the town, John could not see the point of Taking “brisk walks” along the sea front, as that was boring and a lie in was always the better option.

At his measured half way point John took as always his five minute break and leant on the sea wall looking out into the bay and glancing out to the open sea where many mariners, both leisure and those who made there living had navigated through in all types of weather conditions. The sea was rising in its cycle and quite rough although the sun was shinning and the wind was giving a warm feeling rarely felt in the winter months.

“At last you are here – we have been waiting for you.” a creepy voice said.

John heard through his head set. Startled, john tapped the set and as the music continued. Looking at he sea watching the waves crash on the steps – where did that voice come from. Now more eerie words flooded in. “Not long now and the sea will come to meet you then you will be with us forever.”

“Who’s that?” John called out, leaning over the wall and checking around to see if anybody was there. Another wave crashed the steps. “ You will all be here and then you will know what it is like being left to die!”

“What are you on about, who are you- what do you mean?” John shouted nervously.

As the next waves hit the steps. “ Look, look out to sea you will know then.”

John looked out to see and as if by some unknown force a sinking boat appeared about two hundred yards from shore. He could see a number of people on board, they were all waving there arms and then came the most spine chilling sounds and screams of people who were diving into the sea and swimming away from the sinking wreck.

John looked around to see if there was anybody to call, but the promenade was clear.

“Help us, save us!!” The cries got louder and another voice screamed from the rolling wave. “ He won’t help you, the rest of them never so why should he be any different. There were eight of us stuck out there in that storm and nobody bothered, all we could do was hang on as the waves swamped our boat.”

There then came another voice, a voice so calm he recognised as being that of his late father. “ John it’s too late to do anything my father was on the lifeboat crew the day the Angela went down but there was so much flooding they could not get out to them and so they perished, now they are looking for the people responsible and there families – they got me. The only way to stop it is to break the cycle by not allowing them to take you away from your world. If they do, they will then be looking for your children. Don’t let the flood water get you, if it does you will be too late!!!”

“Father, FATHER FATHER!!!” John cried, tears in his eyes, but it was too late- he had gone.

“are you alright?” Came a voice. It was the lady with the dog.

“Ye, yes I think so. Did you see that sinking boat out there?”

“No you must be seeing things.” She said as she walked off.

All day John thought of nothing else and wondered who he could speak to and who would not think he was going mad, then whilst sat down with his family eating tea the news reader on the television warned “Beware tonight due to the stormy weather the sea defences could be breached bringing floodwater down your streets and through your homes.”…………………