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[kitelineonline]

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[inaris-mage-of-storms]

Content warning for illness, swearing, and allusion to gun violence.

}{ Part One }{ Part Two }{

When Scott dreams, he dreams of Martyn.

He dreams of Martyn on the island with coral all around it, sword in his hand and blood on his cheek and a wild grin on his face. Scott doesn't know whose blood it is, but he doesn't care. He only cares about the way Martyn pulls him in for a kiss, only cares about the way he knows whatever Martyn has done, he did it for him.

He wonders if Martyn will ever pull him close like that on a quest.

He wonders if that's why he's been accepting more and more of them lately, hoping for Martyn to join him.

He wonders what it would feel like if Martyn fought for Scott rather than for himself. (He already knows.)

"You should take it easy on those quests," says Cleo, leaning against his doorframe and watching him pull on his boots. "You're going to get yourself killed."

"I'll be fine." Scott doesn't dream only of Martyn, of course. His eyes drop to Cleo's ribs out of habit, and after a moment they sigh and pull up the edge of their blouse.

"Still all in one piece, see? No holes, nothing rotting." Their tone is light and teasing, but he knows they're worried. "Need to check my pulse again?"

They grin when he scowls. They aren't going to let him live that down any time soon, waking from a dream and stumbling out of his room to frantically grab at Cleo's wrist and assure himself that their heart still beat. Not after it happened twice.

"I'm just going for a walk, anyway," he tells them. "No quests today."

"Unless Martyn asks you to go on one."

He doesn't squint at the subtle hint of venom in their tone or unhappy twist of their lips, not anymore.

"He's not so bad."

"I don't trust him. I'd trust a Kite to watch my back before I'd trust him to do it. He doesn't look after anyone but himself." Behind them, Cruppy pauses its scurry across the grounds to give a little hop of agreement, and Cleo smiles.

He wonders how he knows they're right. He wonders why he trusts Martyn anyway.

(He knows why. He'll never admit it, but he knows. He just doesn't know how.)

Scott hooks his sword belt around his waist and makes sure his gun is loaded. The Faction Isles are safe, but safety is relative, and it doesn't hurt to be cautious. "I'll be fine," he says again as he leaves.

He wonders if they believe him. (He knows they don't.)

He wonders if he believes himself.

He stops by the quest board out of habit, but Martyn is nowhere to be seen. He hasn't seen him in about a week, actually, and it's beginning to make him anxious. It shouldn't matter. Martyn's capable of taking care of himself, and all of the Kestrels he sees in the town square on a regular basis seem as carefree as always. Besides, Martyn might not hate him anymore, but they're still only acquaintances at best.

If Martyn doesn't want to see him, it's not his problem. He wonders why the thought stings.

If something is wrong, it's not his problem. He wonders why his feet carry him to Kestrel territory anyway.

"Well hello there!" Scar greets him at the door, and even though they look nothing alike, his grin is so very much like Cleo's that Scott can't help but feel a warmth toward him. "What brings you to our amayzin' humble abode? Can I interest you in - "

"I'm not here to buy anything, Scar." Scott cuts off the budding sales pitch before it forms, and Scar huffs at him. "I was just - well, I haven't seen Martyn around lately, so I wondered - I mean, if he doesn't want to see me that's fine, but - "

"Oh, he's been sick!" says Scar, and his tone is still so bright and cheerful that it eases Scott's nerves about how serious it might be, until Scar's next words. "He came back from his last quest looking absolutely awful. Terrible cough, high fever, the works! Kyle went out for a doctor, and Sausage and Oli have been trying to get him to eat or drink something, but turns out he's really paranoid when he doesn't recognize anyone."

His tone is light, but his eyes are worried. Scott pushes past him and goes up the stairs, not bothering to ask permission. Scar steps aside willingly, his ridiculous pile of hats wobbling precariously, and Scott wonders how they never fall. He doesn't care.

"Come on, Marty, just a few sips." Oli sits on the edge of the bed and holds a bowl out to Martyn pleadingly, but Martyn has shoved himself into the corner against the wall with a wild-eyed snarl. Sausage looks up when Scott enters; unlike Scar, he isn't hiding his worry behind a facade, and Scott's heart aches for the fear he sees in his eyes.

"You're not tricking me into shit, not this time," spits Martyn. "You think I don't know you're one of them?"

"One of who? Martyn, I'm your friend!" Oli sounds close to tears. "Just drink the damn broth!"

Martyn scoffs, pressing himself into the wall even more, if that's possible. He's breathing hard and dripping sweat, and Scott hopes he doesn't try to bolt because he surely wouldn't get very far before passing out.

"You expect me to believe that, when you're wearing that color? Come on, I'm not stupid."

His glazed eyes fall to Oli's scarf; in the dim light of the room, the pink fabric looks almost purple. Scott isn't entirely certain, but he thinks of Martyn's dislike of Cruppy, and makes an executive decision based on a tenuous guess.

"Oliver, out," he orders. "Give me the bowl, and get out. You too, Sausage, just in case."

Oli looks indignant, but he doesn't argue, just hands Scott the broth and leaves the room with Sausage. Scott takes his place on the edge of the bed. Martyn slumps against the pillows as soon as Oli is out of sight, then his gaze snaps to Scott and his eyes widen.

"Scott," he breathes, and Scott wonders why his heart leaps at Martyn's recognition of him when everyone else is a stranger. "You're safe? They didn't - they didn't get you?"

Scott wonders who Martyn is so afraid of, but knows this isn't the time for questions. "I'm safe," he assures him, and Martyn's relief is palpable. "But you're ill. Will you drink some broth for me? Please?"

He holds the bowl to Martyn's lips, not trusting his shaking hands to do it himself without spilling, and Martyn lets himself be fed without argument. When he's finished Scott sets the bowl aside, then spies the washbasin on the table. He dips a cloth into the water and wrings out the excess, then dabs at Martyn's brow with a tender touch until Martyn's held falls forward onto his shoulder.

"I'm sorry."

"Whatever for?" Scott hesitates before putting a hand on the back of Martyn's head and stroking his hair.

"I'm sorry," Martyn says again instead of answering the question. "I didn't want to! But I had to. I had to betray you, Scott, I couldn't - I couldn't take anymore of - "

His voice breaks, and Scott's heart breaks along with it. "Shh, it's okay," he murmurs, wrapping both arms around Martyn and holding him close. "It's okay. I'm here."

He wonders what imagined betrayal Martyn's fever has convinced him of. He wonders who has hurt him so badly to inspire such fear.

He wonders if it's anyone he could find. He wonders if his sword would be enough, or if he would need to stock up on bullets.

It doesn't matter, not right now. What matters right now is Martyn has started coughing, and Scott soothes him as best he can. When the fit passes, he washes Martyn's face again and gets him settled under the covers, watching his eyelids droop with exhaustion even as he shivers violently.

"Stay," Martyn croaks, and even if Scott had been inclined to leave, he doesn't think the vicegrip on his wrist would allow it.

"Of course," he assures him, and answers Martyn's relieved smile with one of his own. Martyn slips into slumber, and Scott strokes his hair with his free hand.

His touch is gentle and his gaze is soft, and he wonders if what he feels for Martyn in his dreams has followed him into the waking world.

(He knows.)

}{ Part Four }{

[fancoloredglasses]

The Funny Feline Felonies/The Joke's on Catwoman (Roses are red/Violets are blue/If you want your head to hurt/Just read this review)

[All images are owned by DC Comics and 20th Century Fox Disney. Please don’t sue me]

(Thanks to batgirlspain for the inspiration)

In Season 3 of Batman, the producers cut the number of episodes in half (airing once a week instead of twice) as a cost-cutting measure…and ratings suffered as a result. As such, the producers did some crazy ideas, including a surf-off between Batman and the Joker, a three-part story in the UK (in the city of “Londinium”), bringing in Ethel Merman, Milton Berle, and Joan Collins as villains, and recasting Catwoman when Julie Newmar became unavailable.

One thing they also did was do an episode in which 2 of their most popular villains team up (they did do a team-up story in Season 2 with Penguin and the Joker, but Penguin was in more a supporting role, appearing in 2 episodes of the 3-part story) Now, I know these days having 2 (or more) villains teaming up is commonplace in the movies (but seeing as the villains of superhero films don’t survive the film over 75% of the time, that tends to run through the A and B-List villains quickly. How long until we have a Batman film where he goes up against Kite Man and Condiment King?), but this was a novelty in the 60s (hell, having Batman face FOUR villains must have been box office gold! I honestly have no idea, as I can’t find a record of ticket sales for the film)

Anyway, on to the episode! If you would like to watch it, it’s available on Max or behind your favorite paywall.

We open at Gotham State Prison where…

…the Joker is being released on parole for good behavior (but it’s only been 6 episodes since he was last arrested. No wonder Batman has job security!) Joker thanks the warden and Bruce Wayne (who, in addition to being the head of the Wayne Corporation and the Wayne Foundation (not to mention his night job), is the head of the parole board. Does he wash the dishes too?)

Wait, seriously?! Anyway, the Joker leaves the prison and encounters…

(Thanks to m1thousand1000)

Bruce suggests the warden get his guards after Catwoman while he uses the warden’s phone to Alfred, who plugs him into the Bat-phone as Commissioner Gordon calls “Batman”.

How the hell does Gordon know? No one has had a chance to inform him yet!

Bruce immediately heads back to Gotham City as the opening credits roll.

Batman and Robin arrive at GCPD HQ. Meanwhile across the street at the Sleazy Hotel (I’m hoping that’s the owner’s last name, otherwise they should consider moving to a different part of the city)

(Thanks to jj lucia-wright)

As the Dynamic Duo cross the street and enter Catwoman’s now-empty room. As they search for clues (they found Joker’s suit he left the prison in and a scrap of paper), who should appear but…

Batgirl touches base with the Caped Crusaders, but since they seem to have hit a dead end, she leaves. Then Robin notices the paper he found earlier has vanished.

Batman admires her ingenuity and figures their paths would cross again and they can compare notes.

Later at Catwoman’s hideout (which has been decked out with Joker’s tastes mixed in), Catwoman briefs Joker on her scheme, which centers around a 200 year-old poem written by a criminal.

Naturally, the stash is hidden somewhere in Gotham City (because of course it is). Once they find the powder, part two is to use it to break into the gold depository and steal the contents (one would think that much gunpowder would level the building, not just blow a hole in it)

Let’s look at that poem, shall we?

Great, limericks. Still, you can’t expect the writers an 18th century thief to come up with Shakespeare.

Catwoman has a line on the crib and nightshirt mentioned. She has also left a clue (namely, a certain scrap of paper, which was part of the parchment) to lure the Terrific Trio into a purr-fect trap.

The next day, Barbara Gordon finds out more about the scrap of parchment. Later, Batgirl sneaks into Commissioner Gordon’s office to use the phone.

Batgirl tells Batman to meet her at the apartment of a gentleman known as Little Louie Groovy (can you tell this was made in the 60s?), a famous record producer.

Later at Louie Groovy’s “pad”…

…there’s a break-in! Louie puts up a valiant…oh hell, he flails his arms and feet pretending to know karate until he winds himself, then is overpowered. Then the goons strip Louie of his nightshirt.

(At least he wears boxers to bed) Fortunately for Louie, the Caped Crusaders show up. Cue the fight music!

(Thanks to Jacob Dombroski)

Joker throws Catwoman under the Cat-Bus.

(Thanks to Complex)

…I meant the metaphorical one.

Joker spins a bullshit story about being roped into stealing Louie’s nightshirt as a practical joke, and wants to shake the Dynamic Duo’s hands and be on his way so they can deal with the real criminal, Catwoman.

…yeah, I knew this would be a “joy buzzer” moment.

After that, they will stop breathing!

With that, the Joker and Catwoman take their leave (will Gotham City’s villains NEVER learn?)

Fortunately, just as the villains leave, Batgirl arrives (where was she earlier?)

How is an antidote supposed to help against electrocution? Whatever, it works.

Batgirl catches Batman up about the poem. Batman asks about the crib.

…of course it is. Katz (this theft has a certain feline-themed villain’s pawprints all over it!) is a British clothing designer.

Later, at Katz’s mansion, the villains have come and gone. Actually, they’re waiting outside the mansion to ambush the Terrific Trio.

Normally, you’d have to wait a week (since this is season 3) to see the conclusion. However, I don’t wanna wait that long, so…

As the Terrific Trio leave Karnaby Katz’s mansion…

(Thanks to jedburgh01)

(Seriously, they NEVER learn!)

Later, back at the Batcave, the Caped Crusaders get a message from Batgirl via Commissioner Gordon (so the GCPD is reduced to Batman’s answering service now?) to meet her on the corner of Cattail Lane and Nine Lives Alley. On the corner is the Grimalkin Novelty Company. What is a Grimalkin, you might ask?

(Wow, how did they figure out that’s likely Catwoman’s hideout? Or, more to the point, why did they not have that intersection staked out the moment it was built?)

And at said novelty company (do they make cat toys?) Catwoman pieces the puzzle of the nightshirt and the crib. The shirt’s pattern is the map, while the crib is the directions (backward and in French; and no one bothered to translate it before now? This is some National Treasure-level shit here)

With the directions (doing the opposite, since the poem said the instructions were lying) in hand, Our Villains are off!

Meanwhile, the Dynamic Duo meet Batgirl at the novelty company.

Batman has programmed the Bat-Sonar to track Catwoman’s car (you’d think they could ask the GCPD to watch out for it and let them know…or maybe even put a radio transmitter on the car, but nooooooooo, they have to give a Bat-shit reason they can do this!)

With that, the Terrific Trio all pile into the Batmobile and off they go!

The map leads Our Villains to a lighthouse, where they confront the lighthouse keeper and his wife (named Mr. and Mrs. Keeper, naturally; they even refer to each other that way!)

The henchgoons capture Mr. and Mrs. Keeper, which is probable cause enough for the Terrific Trio (lurking outside) to burst onto the scene. The villains move to flee, but the Joker accidentally twists the knob on the lighthouse’s banister and…

…opens the secret passage containing the gunpowder (you mean Mrs. Keeper didn’t move that knob once while she was doing her hourly cleaning of the lighthouse? Hey, don’t look at me that way! Mrs. Keeper is constantly complained that there's nothing to do in the lighthouse BUT clean!)

The Joker lights a match for a better look, but Batman bats it out of his hand, accidentally knocking it into the room! The resulting explosion destroys the lighthouse…but doesn’t blow up the room everyone is in? It turns out the Bat-shit explanation is that Batman coated the room using a canister of…

And here I thought the Shark-Repellant Bat Spray was bad!

As Batman goes to arrest Joker and Catwoman…

…Catwoman lawyers up. I mean, unless they confess they should get a trial. Catwoman then makes a call to criminal attorney “Lucky Pierre,” who has never lost a case (if that’s the case (no pun intended), why don’t all of Gotham City’s villains have him on retainer?)

Later, the trial is in full swing, with Batman as the lead prosecutor (is there nothing he can’t do? I guess since this version of Gotham City doesn’t have Harvey Dent…)

Batman examines every individual affected in this case: Little Louie Groovy, Karnaby Katz, and Mr. and Mrs. Keeper. In each case, Lucky Pierre declines cross examination. The Joker is beside himself, but Catwoman tells him to stay calm. With Batman’s case laid out, it’s time for Lucky Pierre to take the floor, but Lucky Pierre declines.

As Batman gives his summation (and Lucky Pierre declines to do so), the judge sends the jury away to deliberate, but the foreman announces the verdict immediately:

The judge reads the jury the riot act.

(Thanks to Jacob Dombroski)

At least the fight got a ZOWIE!

This being season 3, the final scene reveals next week’s villain:

Louie the Lilac (played by legendary comedian Milton Berle)

But that’s the subject of another episode (and, perhaps in the future, another review)

[albiononlineaccountdestinyboard]

How to Be the Best in PvP Mode in Albion Online

Albion Online’s open-world PvP is one of the game’s most exciting and challenging aspects. Whether you're a solo player or part of a guild, PvP mode offers endless battles, strategic encounters, and intense rivalries. For new and veteran players alike, learning how to excel in PvP can be the difference between victory and defeat. In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential tips to become a top PvP player in Albion Online, and how buying an Albion Online account from Heaven Guardian—the most secure platform for Albion accounts with lifetime warranty and premium support—can give you a competitive edge.

Understanding Albion Online’s PvP Mode

Albion Online’s PvP system is unique, with full-loot zones that put everything you’ve gathered on the line. This makes every encounter thrilling, especially in red and black zones where the stakes are highest. PvP in Albion Online involves mastering skills, choosing the right gear, and working effectively within your team.

Why PvP Matters in Albion Online

PvP in Albion Online isn't just for fun—it’s integral to gathering high-tier resources, securing territories, and earning valuable Fame and Silver. Players who master PvP can excel in guild-based warfare, take control of valuable territories, and establish themselves as powerful figures in the Albion Online world.

Tips for Becoming a Top PvP Player in Albion Online

Here’s how you can step up your game in PvP and start competing like the best players in Albion:

1. Choose the Right Gear for PvP

In Albion Online, gear choices can make or break a PvP encounter. Since there are no fixed classes, your weapon and armor define your role in PvP. Here’s a quick breakdown of some gear strategies:

Tank Role: Use heavy plate armor and shields for high defense and crowd-control skills.

DPS Role: Leather armor with melee or ranged weapons lets you hit hard and stay mobile.

Healer Role: Focus on cloth armor and healing staffs to keep your team alive.

Be sure to unlock advanced gear options on your Destiny Board. For players who want a head start, buying an Albion Online account for sale from Heaven Guardian provides access to higher-level gear, ensuring you’re PvP-ready from the beginning.

2. Learn Effective PvP Combat Skills

PvP combat requires quick reflexes and strategic planning. Here are some skills to develop:

Kiting: Keep your distance while dealing damage, especially effective for ranged classes.

Zoning: Control areas of the battlefield, which can prevent enemies from reaching objectives.

Target Priority: Learn to focus on high-priority targets (such as healers) to break down the enemy team faster.

Buying an Albion account from Heaven Guardian gives you access to characters with already developed combat skills, so you can jump into high-level PvP battles with a competitive advantage.

3. Explore the Right PvP Zones

Albion Online features different PvP zones with varying risks and rewards:

Blue Zones: Safe zones with no PvP, ideal for beginners.

Yellow Zones: Limited PvP where you only lose some items upon death.

Red Zones: High-risk PvP where you can lose all your items upon death.

Black Zones: Full-loot PvP zones with the highest rewards.

Venturing into red and black zones is essential for gathering top-tier resources. With a Heaven Guardian Albion account, you’ll be equipped with high-tier gear and skills to confidently explore these zones.

4. Join a PvP-Oriented Guild

Guilds are essential for success in Albion Online’s PvP. Guilds offer valuable support, share resources, and organize large-scale PvP battles like ZvZ (Zerg vs. Zerg), which are massive team fights over territory and resources. Look for a PvP-oriented guild with a good reputation to learn and grow.

5. Perfect Your PvP Strategy

In PvP, strategy is everything. Experiment with different gear, test out combat techniques, and refine your approach to each battle. Albion Online rewards strategic thinking, and each PvP encounter is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Why Buy an Albion Online Account from Heaven Guardian?

When it comes to starting strong in PvP, buying an Albion Online account from Heaven Guardian offers incredible benefits. Heaven Guardian provides premium Albion Online accounts, giving you access to advanced gear, skills, and resources without the grind. Here’s why Heaven Guardian is the top choice for Albion accounts:

Secure Transactions: Heaven Guardian is the most secure platform for buying Albion accounts.

Lifetime Warranty: Each account comes with a lifetime warranty, ensuring long-term support.

Premium Service: Heaven Guardian offers top-tier customer service to make your purchase seamless.

Competitive Edge: Start with a PvP-ready character, so you can focus on excelling in Albion Online.

With these advantages, Heaven Guardian helps you gain the skills, resources, and reputation to become a PvP force in Albion Online.

FAQs

1. What makes PvP in Albion Online unique?

PvP in Albion Online is thrilling because of its full-loot zones, where defeated players can lose their gear. It adds high stakes to each encounter, making PvP both challenging and rewarding.

2. How does buying an Albion Online account help in PvP?

Buying an Albion Online account from Heaven Guardian provides a head start with advanced gear and skills, making it easier to compete in high-level PvP from the start.

3. What is the best gear for PvP in Albion Online?

The best gear depends on your role—tanks use heavy armor, DPS uses leather, and healers use cloth armor. Heaven Guardian accounts come equipped with optimized gear, perfect for your PvP role.

4. Why should I buy an Albion Online account from Heaven Guardian?

Heaven Guardian is the most secure platform for buying Albion Online accounts, offering a lifetime warranty and premium support, which ensures you get a reliable, high-quality account.

5. How do I unlock advanced PvP skills on the Destiny Board?

You unlock PvP skills on the Destiny Board by earning Fame in combat. However, with an Albion account from Heaven Guardian, you’ll have many of these skills unlocked already, giving you an advantage.

6. Are guilds necessary for PvP in Albion Online?

Yes, joining a guild is highly recommended for PvP, as guilds offer team support and access to larger PvP battles. Heaven Guardian accounts come with the resources to help you find a PvP-focused guild quickly.

Conclusion

Mastering PvP in Albion Online requires the right gear, skills, and strategies. From choosing the perfect gear setup to joining a strong guild, these steps are essential for PvP success. For those who want a fast track to high-level PvP, buying an Albion Online account from Heaven Guardian is the perfect solution. With secure transactions, a lifetime warranty, and premium service, Heaven Guardian provides everything you need to dominate PvP and enjoy Albion Online to the fullest.

For more in-depth information on Albion Online’s PvP modes, check out the official Albion Online PvP Guide.

[ride-kitesurfing]

RIDE Kitesurfing: Your Gateway to Kitesurfing Adventures in South Australia

South Australia, with its expansive coastline, consistent winds, and stunning beach locations, is a paradise for kitesurfing enthusiasts. Known for its welcoming climate and scenic coastal spots, South Australia is an ideal destination for both beginners and experienced kitesurfers. At the forefront of the local kitesurfing scene is RIDE Kitesurfing, a premier kitesurfing business dedicated to helping individuals of all skill levels experience the thrill of kitesurfing safely and enjoyably. With expert instruction, equipment rentals, and community events, RIDE Kitesurfing provides a complete package for anyone looking to explore kitesurfing in South Australia.

Why South Australia is a Top Spot for Kitesurfing South Australia boasts some of the best beaches for kitesurfing, thanks to a combination of favorable winds, open coastlines, and consistent weather patterns. The state’s wind season generally spans from October to April, offering nearly six months of ideal conditions. Popular kitesurfing beaches include Semaphore Beach, Henley Beach, and Brighton Beach near Adelaide, as well as spots along the Yorke Peninsula and the Eyre Peninsula for more experienced riders. These locations offer flat water areas, gentle waves, and moderate to strong wind conditions that make it possible for kitesurfers of varying skill levels to practice and improve.

From beginners seeking smooth, calm waters to professionals aiming to catch big waves, South Australia has a diverse selection of beaches, each with unique conditions. The expansive beaches provide ample space, ensuring that kitesurfers can ride freely without crowding—a perfect scenario for learning and advancing in the sport.

RIDE Kitesurfing: A Hub for South Australian Kitesurfing Enthusiasts RIDE Kitesurfing is more than just a school; it’s a community hub for kitesurfing in South Australia. Through personalized lessons, quality equipment rentals, and community events, RIDE Kitesurfing supports both beginners and seasoned kitesurfers. Whether you’re new to the sport or aiming to take your skills to the next level, RIDE’s offerings make it easy to find your footing in South Australia’s kitesurfing scene.

Lessons Tailored to All Skill Levels At RIDE Kitesurfing, lessons are designed to be accessible, engaging, and, most importantly, safe. RIDE’s instructors are certified professionals with years of experience who know the local conditions and best practices for teaching kitesurfing to beginners and advanced riders alike.

Beginner Lessons: For newcomers, kitesurfing can feel intimidating, but RIDE’s beginner lessons make it approachable. The first sessions cover safety procedures, equipment handling, and the fundamentals of controlling a kite. Through beach and water-based exercises, students learn essential techniques such as launching, landing, and basic riding. By the end of these sessions, beginners gain a foundation in the sport, helping them feel comfortable and confident.

Intermediate and Advanced Lessons: For those looking to refine their skills, RIDE Kitesurfing offers tailored lessons that teach advanced techniques like riding upwind, body dragging, and wave riding. These sessions build on the basics, helping riders learn to navigate stronger winds and challenging waters, making them ready to tackle South Australia’s more demanding kitesurfing spots. Advanced lessons also cover tricks and jumps for those seeking to enhance their riding style.

Quality Equipment Rentals and Sales A great kitesurfing experience relies on quality equipment. RIDE Kitesurfing offers top-tier gear for rent and sale, making it easy for enthusiasts to access the right equipment for South Australia’s conditions. RIDE’s rental options range from complete kits for beginners to advanced kites and boards for seasoned riders. Equipment quality and safety are a priority, with RIDE ensuring that all rentals are well-maintained and regularly inspected.

For those looking to invest in their own gear, RIDE Kitesurfing also has a selection of top brands and gear types to choose from. The team can help clients select equipment suited to their skill level, body type, and preferred kitesurfing style. In addition, customers benefit from RIDE’s expert advice on gear care and maintenance, ensuring a long life for their equipment.

The RIDE Kitesurfing Community: Events and Gatherings One of the unique aspects of RIDE Kitesurfing is its dedication to fostering a strong kitesurfing community. Through events, group sessions, and social gatherings, RIDE brings together kitesurfers from across South Australia. Regular meet-ups allow kitesurfers to connect, share tips, and enjoy the sport together. For beginners, these gatherings are a welcoming introduction to the kitesurfing community, while experienced riders have the opportunity to network, learn, and improve alongside others who share their passion.

Throughout the year, RIDE hosts kitesurfing events that encourage friendly competition and skill-building. These events are held at popular kitesurfing locations around South Australia, giving participants a chance to explore new beaches and ride in different conditions. Events range from informal beach gatherings to more structured workshops and competitions, offering something for everyone.

South Australia’s Environmental Beauty and Kitesurfing Potential Kitesurfing in South Australia isn’t just about the thrill of the ride; it’s also about connecting with the region’s beautiful natural environment. Many of South Australia’s beaches are located in pristine areas with picturesque views, abundant wildlife, and clean, clear water. Kitesurfers can often spot dolphins or seabirds while out on the water, making each session a memorable experience that combines sport with an appreciation of nature.

Through responsible practices, RIDE Kitesurfing promotes environmentally conscious kitesurfing, encouraging riders to respect the beaches and wildlife. This dedication to sustainability aligns with the community values in South Australia, where protecting natural resources is essential to preserving the region’s unique coastal beauty.

Why Choose RIDE Kitesurfing for Kitesurfing in South Australia? With a commitment to safety, quality instruction, and community-building, RIDE Kitesurfing has earned a reputation as one of the top kitesurfing schools in South Australia. The company’s experienced instructors, high-quality equipment, and dedication to customer satisfaction make RIDE the perfect partner for both locals and visitors wanting to explore kitesurfing.

For those new to the sport, RIDE’s beginner-friendly approach makes the experience enjoyable and accessible, while seasoned riders can take advantage of RIDE’s advanced lessons to sharpen their skills. By choosing RIDE Kitesurfing, enthusiasts are joining a vibrant, supportive community that shares a love for the sport and a deep appreciation for South Australia’s coastlines.

Whether you’re drawn to kitesurfing for the thrill, the fitness, or the beautiful coastal scenery, RIDE Kitesurfing ensures that every rider has a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable experience on South Australia’s world-class beaches.

[exhibitaengineering]

Aviation Pioneers Part 2: The Wright Brother

Wright brothers, American brothers, inventors, and aviation pioneers who achieved the first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flight (1903). Wilbur Wright (April 16, 1867, near Millville, Indiana, U.S.—May 30, 1912, Dayton, Ohio) and his brother Orville Wright (August 19, 1871, Dayton—January 30, 1948, Dayton) also built and flew the first fully practical airplane (1905).

In 1892 the brothers opened a bicycle sales and repair shop, and they began to build bicycles on a small scale in 1896. They developed their own self-oiling bicycle wheel hub and installed a number of light machine tools in the shop. Profits from the print shop and the bicycle operation eventually were to fund the Wright brothers’ aeronautical experiments from 1899 to 1905. In addition, the experience of designing and building lightweight, precision machines of wood, wire, and metal tubing was ideal preparation for the construction of flying machines.

Their first experiments with “wing warping,” as the system would be called, were made with a small biplane kite flown in Dayton in the summer of 1899. Discovering that they could cause the kite to climb, dive, and bank to the right or left at will, the brothers began to design their first full-scale glider using Lilienthal’s data to calculate the amount of wing surface area required to lift the estimated weight of the machine and pilot in a wind of given velocity.

Tested in October 1900, the first Wright glider was a biplane featuring 165 square feet (15 square metres) of wing area and a forward elevator for pitch control. The glider developed less lift than expected, however, and very few free flights were made with a pilot on board. The brothers flew the glider as a kite, gathering information on the performance of the machine that would be critically important in the design of future aircraft.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wright-brothers/Powered-sustained-flight

[nolimitskite]

Where for Kitesurfing: Unleash the Thrill with No Limits Kite

Do you long for a memorable kitesurfing adventure that blends the rush of the wind in your hair with the excitement of riding the waves? Look nowhere else! You should head to No Limits Kite at Marsala's Birgi Vecchi, Via Torre Sancez, for an unforgettable kitesurfing adventure No Limits Kite provides excellent instruction and an incomparable setting for an adrenaline-filled experience, whether you're a novice eager to learn or a seasoned master looking for new challenges.

Where for Kitesurfing: No Limits Kite's Prime Location

Discover Marsala's Allure

No Limits Kite, located in the charming seaside town of Marsala, provides an exceptional combination of ideal kitesurfing conditions and breathtaking natural beauty. Both novice and expert kitesurfers may improve their abilities and test their boundaries thanks to Marsala's clear seas and reliable winds.

Unmatched Kitesurfing Instruction

The knowledgeable instructors at no limits kitesurf can help whether you are a novice or an advanced rider wishing to further your skills. Using the most up-to-date tools and your individual training, you will learn how to ride like an expert. No Limits is the top kitesurfing school in the nation.

Experience with The No Limits Kites

No limits kites offers comprehensive teaching on how to kitesurf. Starting with fundamental kite handling and progressing to impressive aerial manoeuvres, you will set off on a voyage of skill growth and self-discovery. Each class has benefited from the teachers' passion for sports, which has helped to enhance and stimulate learning.

No Limits: Unleash Your Inner Kitesurfer Services from Kite

1. Lessons geared for beginners

No Limits Kite's introductory courses offer a secure and thrilling introduction to kitesurfing, whether you're donning a wetsuit for the first time or hoping to brush up on your abilities. Gain the knowledge and confidence necessary to master the waves by practising controlled manoeuvres and learning the foundations.

2. Expert Coaching

No Limits Kite provides advanced coaching sessions for seasoned kitesurfers looking to develop their skills. Improve your freestyle techniques, hone your wave riding, and learn more about the kitesurfing craft from seasoned pros.

3. Sales and Rental of Equipment

Nothing to use? No issue! High-end kitesurfing equipment is available for rent and buy at No Limits Kite. Their selection of high-quality equipment has you covered whether you're interested in renting a kite, board, or harness or seeking to buy your own setup.

4. Tours and Adventures with a Guide

Join No Limits for exciting kitesurfing excursions. escorted trips by Kite. Riding the waves, explore Marsala's breathtaking coastline, and find hidden treasures as you go. The excitement of kitesurfing and the delight of discovery are combined in these guided tours.

5. Safety First

No Boundaries Kite places the highest priority on safety. Your kitesurfing experience will be both thrilling and safe thanks to their qualified instructors' emphasis on safety procedures. Your safety is their primary priority, and this extends to equipment inspections and weather evaluations.

Embark on an exciting, skill-building, and adventurous adventure by releasing your inner kiteboarder. No Limits Kite provides an unmatched blend of expert kiteboarding instruction, top-notch equipment, and breathtaking landscape. It is located in Marsala, a beautiful city. To schedule your once-in-a-lifetime kitesurfing adventure with No Limits Kite, please contact us by phone at +48 50 997 0897 or by email at nolimitskite.com. Please refer to this page for further details.

[parajumpers-pascher]

windsurfing for sale

What Is Windsurfing? Everything You Need To Know

It constantly enjoyable to take recreation with friends and family. In spite of this, you are motivated to prevent their business regardless particularly when you require time to concentrate as well as end up being a much better windsurfer. For the most part, these are individuals in the exact same classification as you are for this reason having the exact same like minds. Indicating that you might wind up not discovering a lot. It is a various situation if that relative or pal is a pro at windsurfing. 2020 severne have actually presented their brand-new line of windsurfing certain harnesses. The lux is our convenience midsection harness and all regarding high-end. Memory foam, integrated with a greater account for optimal assistance make the lux harness comfy. Truly comfy. A complete neoprene internal provides a costs feeling. 3-d formed for very little trip up. Bench pad as well as windsurf certain hook make sure favorable un-hooking for security. Offered in black as well as neon eco-friendly. Windsurfing is an easily-accessible sporting activity - to begin, you will certainly require a board as well as a gear, which is comprised of a sail, pole, pole base as well as a boom. Windsurf boards as well as sails been available in a range sizes and shapes as well as the motorcyclist's weight will certainly affect your option.

Windsurfing Board

To lots of, a windsurfing pole is a non-essential, something you get for low-cost on an on the internet market location, one of the most amount of carbon for the least quantity of cash. Well this function may simply obtain you believing that maybe this is not the very best technique of pole choice. The pole comprises the skeletal system of our windsurf set up as well as without it, we definitely would be substantially closer to being simply paddle internet users instead of windsurfers, a lot more significantly with it we have a framework that enables us to be pushed by the wind at rates over of 50 knots! so the concern is what pole must you have as well as what is the factor in this function? well, the solution to the previous is simple, it is to provide you, the visitor, an concept on why brand names firmly insist that you utilize their poles for their sails. We equip the best brand names for windsurfing, kiteboarding, stand paddle as well as e-bikes! developed in the Columbia River make a pig of in hood river, Oregon in 1987, huge winds is among the biggest windsurfing, kiteboarding as well as stand paddleboarding item as well as device shops in the united states. Our team member are knowledgeable gamers that are passionate regarding their sporting activities as well as devices as well as prepared to use professional recommendations. Along with an massive rental/demo fleet for all ability degrees, our windsurfing as well as stand paddleboarding institution is among the very best in the pacific northwest as well as our lesson programs consist of youngsters camps, younger camps, as well as personal as well as team lessons for males and females of any ages. See our retail store or give us a call today for a kicked back, helpful discuss windsurfing, kiteboarding as well as stand paddleboarding equipment as well as devices. For More Details Contact Us at https://whitecapwindsurfing.com

[d-doma]

windsurfing sail

Windsurfing Everything You Need To Know

If you are brand-new to the sporting activity it's ideal to make use of a tiny sail and also a board that is vast and also resilient - this will certainly offer you the self-confidence and also security to understand the standard strategies. As you proceed you can relocate onto a smaller sized boards, bigger sails, and also making use of a harness and also footstraps. This board targets windsurfing, sup and also hindering usage in level water and also waves. Ast w/ complete eva deck pad. Perfect for innovative or smaller sized cyclists. The sup windsurfing array supplies a wonderful selection for sharing windsurfing and also paddle boarding with loved ones. They slide effortlessly, really various from anything we have actually supplied in the past. Starboard earned 11 out of 12 pwa producer titles over the last 12 years and also we enjoy obtaining even more individuals right into windpowered fun.Windsurfing is a surface area water sporting activity that is a mix of searching and also cruising. It is additionally described as "sailboarding" and also "boardsailing", and also arised in the very early 1970s from the browse society scene of california. Windsurfing had actually obtained a adhering to throughout North America by the late 1970s and also had actually attained international appeal by the 1980s. Is a unique island apart. There are no roadways, so no bike or auto, which in fact a quieter and also extra " loosened up" area in other places. It does not earn less of a area extra eye-catching: you can go rock climbing, strolls, "snorkeling" (fins, mask, snorkel), kayaking, waterskiing, angling, windsurfing, parachute upwards. And also of training course diving. Or simply loosen up on among its attractive coastlines do not miss this if.

Windsurfing Sail

When I was lately considering acquiring a brand-new board I understood just how hard it can be to select the appropriate equipment. Throughout years that I was educating windsurfing in numerous parts of the globe, I usually obtained inquiries concerning what to acquire and also why. Making the appropriate selection will actually beneficial to boost your windsurfing. So I made a checklist of all points I have actually found out screening, acquiring, and also making use of windsurfing tools. Bags expertise your windsurfing equipment's pricey a da couple of dollars invested in shielding it to and also from the coastline-- and also on the periodic journey on a aircraft-- are well invested in shielding the re-sell worth of priceless boards and also sales, as well as the life-span of your favored beach-going lorry that is at risk to consistent wetness and also corrosion. Fox has actually been the leading resource for windsurfing equipment on the external financial institutions given that the very early '80s. We take satisfaction in supplying not just the most effective windsurfing equipment readily available yet additionally the most effective feasible client service. If you have any kind of inquiries or are unclear concerning what windsurfing equipment you require please give us a call or e-mail. Our instore team has years of on the water experience to address all your inquiries and also aid obtain you on the windsurfing equipment you require. Fox has all the lastest from Ezzy, jp Australia, dakine, oneill wetsuits, chinook and also even more. If we do not have what you are seeking on the internet site give us a call or e-mail as we quite possibly might have it instore. We occasionally can not avertise our " ideal rate" on the internet so you could be able to obtain a far better bargain by calling or emailing us too. For More Details Contact Us at https://whitecapwindsurfing.com

[edificar-se]

windsurfing mast

Windsurfing

It always fun to take leisure activities with family and friends. Despite this, you are encouraged to avoid their company at any cost especially when you need time to focus and become a better windsurfer. In most cases, these are persons in the same category as you are hence having the same like minds. Meaning that you may end up not learning much. It is a different case if that family member or friend is a pro at windsurfing. 2020 severne have introduced their new line of windsurfing specific harnesses. The lux is our comfort waist harness and all about luxury. Memory foam, combined with a higher profile for maximum support make the lux harness comfortable. Really comfortable. A full neoprene inner gives a premium feel. 3-d shaped for minimal ride up. The bar pad and windsurf specific hook ensure positive un-hooking for safety. Available in black and neon green. Windsurfing is an easily-accessible sport - to get started, you will need a board and a rig, which is made up of a sail, mast, mast base and a boom. Windsurf boards and sails come in a variety shapes and sizes and the rider's weight will influence your choice.

Windsurfing

To many, a windsurfing mast is a non-essential, something you pick up for cheap on an online market place, the most amount of carbon for the least amount of money. Well this feature might just get you thinking that perhaps this is not the best method of mast selection. The mast makes up the skeleton of our windsurf set-up and without it, we certainly would be significantly closer to being just paddle surfers rather than windsurfers, more importantly with it we have a structure that allows us to be propelled by the wind at speeds in excess of 50 knots! so the question is what mast should you have and what is the point in this feature? well, the answer to the former is easy, it is to give you, the reader, an idea on why brands insist that you use their masts for their sails. We stock the very best brands for windsurfing, kiteboarding, stand up paddle and e-bikes! established in the Columbia River gorge in hood river, Oregon in 1987, big winds is one of the largest windsurfing, kiteboarding and stand up paddleboarding product and accessory stores in the united states. Our staff members are experienced players who are passionate about their sports and equipment and ready to offer expert advice. In addition to an enormous rental/demo fleet for all skill levels, our windsurfing and stand up paddleboarding school is one of the best in the pacific northwest and our lesson programs include kids camps, junior camps, and private and group lessons for men and women of all ages. Visit our retail shop or give us a call today for a relaxed, informative talk about windsurfing, kiteboarding and stand up paddleboarding gear and accessories. For More Details Contact Us at https://whitecapwindsurfing.com

[kitelineonline]

Discover unbeatable deals on kiteboarding, kitesurfing, and wing foiling gear at Kiteline. Dive into our sale and closeout section to access discounted equipment from leading brands such as Naish, Cabrinha, Ozone, and Slingshot. Shop Now - https://www.kite-line.com/clearance

[laura-middleton-illustration]

Windsurfing - Fun for the Whole Family

Windsurfing

It always fun to take leisure activities with family and friends. Despite this, you are encouraged to avoid their company at any cost especially when you need time to focus and become a better windsurfer. In most cases, these are persons in the same category as you are hence having the same like minds. Meaning that you may end up not learning much. It is a different case if that family member or friend is a pro at windsurfing. 2020 severne have introduced their new line of windsurfing specific harnesses. The lux is our comfort waist harness and all about luxury. Memory foam, combined with a higher profile for maximum support make the lux harness comfortable. Really comfortable. A full neoprene inner gives a premium feel. 3-d shaped for minimal ride up. The bar pad and windsurf specific hook ensure positive un-hooking for safety. Available in black and neon green. Windsurfing is an easily-accessible sport - to get started, you will need a board and a rig, which is made up of a sail, mast, mast base and a boom. Windsurf boards and sails come in a variety shapes and sizes and the rider's weight will influence your choice.

Windsurfing

To many, a windsurfing mast is a non-essential, something you pick up for cheap on an online market place, the most amount of carbon for the least amount of money. Well this feature might just get you thinking that perhaps this is not the best method of mast selection. The mast makes up the skeleton of our windsurf set-up and without it, we certainly would be significantly closer to being just paddle surfers rather than windsurfers, more importantly with it we have a structure that allows us to be propelled by the wind at speeds in excess of 50 knots! so the question is what mast should you have and what is the point in this feature? well, the answer to the former is easy, it is to give you, the reader, an idea on why brands insist that you use their masts for their sails. We stock the very best brands for windsurfing, kiteboarding, stand up paddle and e-bikes! established in the Columbia River gorge in hood river, Oregon in 1987, big winds is one of the largest windsurfing, kiteboarding and stand up paddleboarding product and accessory stores in the united states. Our staff members are experienced players who are passionate about their sports and equipment and ready to offer expert advice. In addition to an enormous rental/demo fleet for all skill levels, our windsurfing and stand up paddleboarding school is one of the best in the pacific northwest and our lesson programs include kids camps, junior camps, and private and group lessons for men and women of all ages. Visit our retail shop or give us a call today for a relaxed, informative talk about windsurfing, kiteboarding and stand up paddleboarding gear and accessories. For More Details Contact Us at https://whitecapwindsurfing.com

[methuen-avenue]

Windsurfing - Fun for the Whole Family

What Is Windsurfing?

It always fun to take leisure activities with family and friends. Regardless of this, you are urged to prevent their firm regardless specifically when you require time to concentrate and also come to be a far better windsurfer. For the most part, these are individuals in the very same group as you are for this reason having the very same like minds. Indicating that you might wind up not finding out a lot. It is a various instance if that member of the family or good friend is a pro at windsurfing. 2020 severne have actually presented their brand-new line of windsurfing certain harnesses. The lux is our convenience waistline harness and all concerning deluxe. Memory foam, incorporated with a greater account for optimal assistance make the lux harness comfy. Actually comfy. A complete neoprene internal offers a costs feeling. 3-d formed for marginal flight up. Bench pad and also windsurf certain hook make sure favorable un-hooking for safety and security. Readily available in black and also neon environment-friendly. Windsurfing is an easily-accessible sporting activity - to begin, you will certainly require a board and also a gear, which is composed of a sail, pole, pole base and also a boom. Windsurf boards and also sails can be found in a selection sizes and shapes and also the motorcyclist's weight will certainly affect your selection.

Windsurfing Board

To lots of, a windsurfing pole is a non-essential, something you grab for affordable on an on-line market area, one of the most amount of carbon for the least quantity of cash. Well this attribute could simply obtain you assuming that maybe this is not the most effective approach of pole option. The pole composes the skeletal system of our windsurf set up and also without it, we absolutely would be substantially closer to being simply paddle web surfers as opposed to windsurfers, a lot more notably with it we have a framework that permits us to be driven by the wind at rates over of 50 knots! so the inquiry is what pole must you have and also what is the factor in this attribute? well, the response to the previous is very easy, it is to offer you, the viewers, an suggestion on why brand names urge that you utilize their poles for their sails. We equip the best brand names for windsurfing, kiteboarding, stand paddle and also e-bikes! developed in the Columbia River stuff in hood river, Oregon in 1987, large winds is just one of the biggest windsurfing, kiteboarding and also stand paddleboarding item and also device shops in the united states. Our team member are knowledgeable gamers that are passionate concerning their sporting activities and also tools and also all set to use specialist recommendations. Along with an massive rental/demo fleet for all ability degrees, our windsurfing and also stand paddleboarding college is just one of the most effective in the pacific northwest and also our lesson programs consist of children camps, jr camps, and also exclusive and also team lessons for males and females of every ages. See our retail store or give us a call today for a kicked back, interesting speak about windsurfing, kiteboarding and also stand paddleboarding equipment and also devices. For More Details Contact Us at https://whitecapwindsurfing.com

[bloggingforu]

10 Best WholeSale Markets In Delhi For Budget Friendly 2022

bloggingforu are telling you about the best wholesale market from where you can get many things at a very low price.

1. Tank Road

Location: Tank Rd, Karol Bagh, Delhi, 110005

Timing: closes on Monday

The largest wholesale markets in Delhi for denim clothes. All types of clothes are available in Tank Road, which live in trends, both men and women clothes are available here and it is very famous for denim jeans Tank Road. And you get a lot of variety and you have lots of options.

Here clothes are available only at whole sale price rate, here there are many so many shops due to which you have many options to compare price clothes.

2. Chandni Chowk

Location: Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Near Red Fort

Timing: Closed On Sunday

It one of the oldest, largest, and busiest wholesale markets of Delhi. You will find a wide variety of products here, but it is most famous for saree , jwellery, electronics items clothes and etc. Chandni Chowk is a very big market for saree at affordable prices.

Sarees from all over the world are available in Chandni Chowk at very cheap prices, celebrities also buy sarees from here. There is a lot of crowd here, it becomes difficult to walk, sometimes, if possible, avoid the vehicle.

3. Sadar Bazaar

Location: Nearest Metro Station: Tis Hazari / Chandni Chowk.

Timing: Closed On Monday

Sadar bazar is the largest wholesale market in Delhi, Small to big types of goods are available in Sadar Bazar at a very cheap price, here retailers buy goods and sell them at their own price. Sadar bazar is basically famous for general market that serves a variety of things.

It is most well-known for its massive supply of household items — plastic items like bottles, bucket, mugs, & dabbas for the kitchen, utensils, and cutlery and sports items. According to the festivals in Sadar Bazar demands are high ,like Colors in Holi, Crackers in Diwali, Kites on 15th August etc.

Also Read : Top 10 Famous Delhi Places To Visit 2022

4. Nehru Place

Location: Nehru Place metro station

Timing: closed on Sunday

In Nehru place basically famous for the biggest wholesale market of IT & computer in the country, If you want any computer, laptop, mobile phones, electronics item, battery, computer components, printer are available in cheap price as compare another place rather you also can buy second hand product and sell your product and you have many options to buy the product and you can easily compare your price.

5. Gaffar Market

Location: Karol Bagh Metro Station

Timing: All days open

Gaffar Market is basically known for wholesale market of electronics items and phone’s parts like screen, mother board, cover etc you can buy products in whole sale rate. In Gaffar Phones and electronics items are repaired and you can also buy second hand goods at very reasonable prices.

Gaffar is also known for fraud like Replaces the original parts of the phone and replaces the fake parts and no one takes any parts guarantee. In Gaffar you can easily found lots of shops who’s repair phone’s parts.

Read more : 10 Best WholeSale Markets In Delhi For Budget Friendly 2022

[universalfanfic]

Stutton Spooky Mermaid  AU

I blacked out and wrote almost 8k words of a prequel Stutton spooky mermaid au based off @inkoutsidethelines Mary/Owen au

Sutton flopped back on the bed and let out a sigh as she rubbed her forehead with her free hand.  

“I just got in tonight, Vicki,” she said. “I haven’t even had time to see if anything is weird yet. The hotel receptionist seemed normal?” 

Vicki huffed from the other end of the phone. 

“Well, I’m sure you’ll get a better feel for the town tomorrow. I’m telling you, there’s something about that place. Disappearances, a body that ‘decomposed’, like, immediately, and not even any local reports on any of it? It’s perfect for the podcast.” 

“I can’t believe I agreed to come here.” 

Vicki laughed.

“I don’t remember you complaining when I told you it was a beach town.” 

“True.” Sutton rolled over and rested her chin on her arm. “Maybe I’ll play hooky one of the days I’m here.” 

“On partially my dime? Try again. I want as much research as you can possibly get. And don’t forget to interview some locals. Personal accounts always sound professional in these true crime things.” 

“Yeah, yeah.” Bemoaned Sutton.

She rolled over again and hung up after reconfirming to Vicki her plans and forbidding her from making a podcast episode about her if something happened during her stay. 

That got another laugh. 

---

Sutton emerged bright and early the next day to hit the town. In the light of day it looked even less like a spooky murder town than it still didn’t during the night. Sidewalks boarded the main road, giving pedestrians easy ability to access shops, and there were cheerful sandwich board signs beckoning people in to take a look at gift shop sales and reasonably priced breakfasts. 

She stopped at a local diner first, figuring she might as well eat and fuel up before getting down to business. The building looked like it was in the middle of renovation, with a makeshift menu board and cans of paint in the corner. The woman at the counter proudly explained that she and her boyfriend were trying to get the place up and running. 

“Who knows,” she said with a wink as she rang up Sutton’s order. “If this business works out, maybe I’ll marry him.”

It seemed they were getting a decent stream of customers despite the construction mess, probably due to the fact that there were only so many choices in the area. Perhaps their relationship was in luck.

Sutton sat down in a booth and pulled out some paperwork to look over while she waited. Vicki had printed out everything concerning the weird occurrences in the area, and it still wasn’t much. What spoke more loudly about the oddness of the occurrences was what wasn’t done or recorded. 

For several missing people to have this town be their last known location, it was startling how little investigation there was done by local police. 

Sutton shifted her notes and grimaced as she came across a grainy photo Vicki printed. 

A few months ago they actually found a body a mile or so outside the town. Another police department had photographed the scene before the town’s department had suddenly taken over. 

In the picture, a man laid on the side of the road, like he'd been traveling on foot, and he looked- Sutton scraped her tongue with her teeth- gross. 

Apparently from the time he went missing to when his body was found was only three days, but by that point his body was already... in advanced decomposition? But that didn’t feel right. It looked more- crusty to Sutton. Like a dry sponge. 

Besides, bodies didn’t decompose to that point in three days; even if they were left in the sun.

Ultimately the death was ruled to be due to a heart condition and the case closed. 

Sutton covered the photo and looked for something less disturbing before breakfast. Though, really, there wasn’t much to go off of. They weren’t trying to solve the mystery here, but it’d be helpful to have enough info to throw out some theories for listeners.

--

She finished breakfast and set out to get to work. Speaking to random people was a little intimidating at the moment, so she decided to start at the library to see if there were any records there. 

The library was a bit musty and underfunded. Sutton slipped passed the fiction sections and made straight for the newspaper archives. 

Unsurprisingly, there wasn’t much there. Sutton had hoped they just hadn’t discovered the internet here, but even their paper records revealed very little.  She sifted through articles on small burglaries, high school sports, and chili cook-offs. Nothing to imply the Hallmark-esque town would have any dark secrets. The best thing she could find was a notice from over ten years ago warning visitors away from partying at some place simply called ‘the lagoon’. But no other references to the location popped up and Sutton brushed it off to focus on other things.  Eventually she gave up with the library and took what meager notes she scratched down as she made her way back out in the town. As awkward as it might be, she was probably going to have to start asking people questions. She stopped in a kitschy gift shop and pretended to peruse the wares. Luckily there weren’t many people inside, and Sutton was grateful she came during the off season. She picked up a conch shell and inspected it before looking up and making eye contact with the clerk at the register. 

“You, ah, have neat stuff!” 

The clerk gave a flat sort of bemused look as they shrugged.

“Thanks? You like shells?” 

Sutton put the shell down. 

“Um, they’re fine. I was thinking for gifts, though.” She moseyed closer to the register as casually as she could.  “What’s popular with tourists?” She asked. “I’m sure you get a lot of people through here.” 

“A bit more in the summer,” the clerk replied. “And people seem to like the wind chimes.” 

“Cool, cool.” Said Sutton. “A lot of people, huh? Any weird customers?” 

The clerk blew air out of their nose.

“I mean, always.”

It wasn’t quite the answer Sutton was looking for. 

“I mean, any good stories? Maybe, I don’t know, strange people hanging around?” 

The clerk’s expression flickered and they eased back as they looked at her with narrowed eyes.

“What?”

Sutton winced. 

 “I just mean, I read there have been some disappearances around-”

The clerk’s expression completely shut down and they stepped back from the register like Sutton was dangerous. 

“Actually,” they said, “I have some things to organize in the back. If you’ll excuse me.” 

They ducked away and Sutton was left floundering alone with even more questions. 

-

Her luck didn’t get any better the rest of the day, and her stomach only churned more with every local who avoided her like the plague after a few polite inquiries. Whatever was going on around here, no one wanted any part of it and Vicki wasn’t going to be thrilled that she went a whole day without anything juicy. 

Sutton felt queasy about the situation. Clearly there was something if everyone looked so freaked out when she even mentioned it. 

She stopped by the diner again for coffee and a snack and decided she wouldn’t ask anyone there about the disappearances in case they refused to serve her afterwards. 

A few people recognized her and gave her a wide berth as she walked through town and Sutton’s uneasiness only grew. But she was fine, nothing bad was going to happen. She had a can of pepper spray in her purse. 

There was a small park near the main beach, and Sutton stopped and sat on one of the benches to sip her coffee while she tried to brainstorm a new tactic. There were some kids climbing on the jungle gym and a few playing kickball on a small concrete pad. Further down she could see families walking the beach or flying kites. 

It looked so normal. 

A loud, snapping twang startled Sutton out of her observations and she yelped, almost spilling her coffee, as the red kickball the kids were playing with nearly smacked her in the face. 

It just missed and hit the back of the bench before rolling a few feet away. One of the little boys ran over waving his hand in apology as he scooped up the ball. 

“Sorry, lady,” he said. “That almost hit you right in your face!” 

“Yeah,” agreed Sutton. “I’m glad it didn’t.” 

The boy squinted at her for a minute as he swiped some hair out of his face, and then pointed a finger at her. 

“You new around here? I haven’t seen you before.” 

“I’m visiting.” 

An idea struck Sutton and she leaned closer. 

“Hey, can I ask you a question?” 

“I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.” 

Sutton rolled her eyes. It was a good practice, just inconvenient when he might be more likely to answer questions. 

“You already were,” she said. “Anyway, I’m Sutton. And I’m not going to offer you anything, like candy or a puppy.” 

“Well that sucks,” he commented. He paused briefly, thinking. “Let me see your ID.”

Oh for pete’s- 

Sutton handed him her driver’s license and the boy studied it with a haughty air before handing it back. 

“Okay, Sutton. You can ask one question and then I have to go. My team is losing the game so they’re already mad.” 

“Alright, -” Sutton paused, then was about to continue when the boy rolled his eyes right back. 

“Harley,” he said. 

“Alright, Harley. Do you know why everyone here gets scared when I ask about missing people?” Little Harley was the first person in the entire town not to go white when she brought up the subject. Instead he shrugged like the answer was simple. 

“That’s easy. It’s ‘cause the lagoon.” 

“The lagoon?” 

But Harley already ran off to rejoin his friends with little more than a backyards wave and a,

“See ya later!” 

Sutton sighed and stood. At least she got something; if the kid wasn’t just making things up. She downed the rest of her coffee and tossed it in a nearby trash. Casting one more glance back to make sure no stray kickballs were headed her way, she started to leave only to freeze. The kids were playing kickball again, but the messy brown hair of Harley was nowhere to be seen among them. 

----

Sutton got a night's sleep and headed back out the next day. At least this time she had something to focus on. The lagoon had come up twice, so it seemed like a safe bet, especially since she had no other leads. 

She packed a bag to take with her, a towel, hat, some water, and her bathing suit. Perhaps Vicki wasn’t on board with the idea of Sutton playing hooky, but if she could kill two birds with one stone, a little down time on a secluded beach and research, then Vicki didn’t need to know. 

Sutton stopped to grab a cheap boogie board as well on her quest to find this mysterious lagoon. Compared to finding answers, it was surprisingly easy to locate. 

It was a lovely spot, even if the hike almost made her wonder if it’d be worth the trek. That might have been part of the reason the article she found warned people from coming down here. If there was a group drinking, they’d have a hard time getting back out. 

But the trek through the brush was worth it. The lagoon was beautiful, with crystalline waters in almost a full circle boarded by nearly white sand. Out in the center of the circle of water was a large rock.

Sutton dropped her bag and set to arranging her stuff to spend the afternoon there. It was, afterall, research. She ought to be thorough. 

It was, of course, then that Vicki called to check in with her. 

“So? Anything?” Vicki asked immediately. 

Sutton sighed. 

“Not much, except more weirdness. No one wants to talk to me.” Vicki’s tone brightened. 

“That means there must be something good! You have to keep digging.” 

“I am! I’m at some spot called The Lagoon. I mean, it’s the best lead I have so far.” 

“A beach? Sutton, really?” 

“It’s a really pretty beach? Looks like something from a movie. Look, I’m going to do a sweep for bodies and then maybe I’ll swim out to the rock that’s out there and see if there are cryptic messages spelled out in the shrubbery or something. Does that make you feel better?” 

Vicki huffed. 

“Only slightly. Send me pics, I can use them for the Insta I’m starting to go with the podcast.” 

“Of course, your highness.”

---

Sutton did a few sweeps of the beach like she promised. There were no bodies or anything of real note. She found a few pairs of sunglasses, a flip flop, and a set of car keys; but nothing that screamed unusual or concerning. 

Like Vicki asked, she snapped a few pictures with her phone and then sent one to her mom just because the place was so pretty. 

While the sun was still up, she decided to swim out to the rock and get a panoramic shot of the full beach. She didn’t want to stay down on this beach by herself when it was getting dark, and she definitely wasn’t going to swim without the sun. Not to mention she hadn’t brought a flashlight for the return hike. 

Sutton put on her hat, grabbed a water bottle and her phone and sat them on the boogie board as she paddled out to the rock. Luckily it wasn’t a long swim, though the water became deep rather quickly. She was halfway to the rock when she thought to wonder if the warning about the lagoon had anything to do with riptides or sharks or something. 

She clambered up onto the rock quickly. 

The view from the water was even better than the view from the shore. It felt more magical, being surrounded by water, and the sand from the beach shone brilliantly in the sun. Sutton took a panoramic shot and then leaned back to let the sun rays soak into her skin. 

It was perfect down here. She wondered why the locals didn’t frequent it even if the hike was a struggle. It would wear down the path and shrubbery if more people came. 

But what in the world could this beach have to do with people disappearing? Even if it was an issue of drowning, that shouldn’t strike the level of fear in the locals eyes as it seemed to. 

Sutton leaned over and splashed her feet in the water, kicking up waves just to see if it summoned anything up. She didn’t even see any jellyfish. 

Given how calm the water was, she decided to risk it and swam a few laps around the rock and tried to open her eyes under the stinging water to see if she could see anything. She kind of wished she’d brought a waterproof phone case with her. But there didn’t seem to be anything other than some barnacle on the rock. 

She climbed back on the rock and sat to rest. There was only the quiet lapping of waves. Not even seagull calls pierced the air. After letting the silence linger, she decided she didn’t like it. It was easy here to forget that this town had multiple disappearances and a questionable death under its belt, but something about the silence of the lagoon brought those thoughts back to the forefront of her mind. 

“Yeah, no.”

Sutton wiped her wet hand on the warm rock and picked up her phone to play some music. 

She wouldn't stay much longer, she decided. There didn’t seem to be anything to help with her research, and if that Harley kid knew what he was talking about at all she definitely wasn’t going to linger around at dusk. 

Sutton tapped her bare feet and hummed along to the music as her thoughts drifted. She might have to try and see if the police station could give her any more information. Though she had a feeling they’d be just as talkative and welcoming to her questions as the townies. 

Leaning back on her hands, she stomped and shuffled her feet more as the music switched and picked up tempo. Sutton threw her head back and sang along with the song. 

“Always looking for a reason to leave Always finding something wrong with the season Your heart has just been hiding from the truth Like a circle always ready to spin Got that green light go all over your skin But the world is never gonna cut you loose  No matter where you go or what you do It’s gonna be there waiting

You keep running away  You keep running away You keep running away You’re gonna need some faster shoes”

She hummed again as she took a swig of water and checked the time. A few songs later she decided it was late enough in the afternoon to start heading back. She turned off the music and finished off the water bottle in preparation to leave. 

Slipping down the rock, Sutton tread water as she reached back for the boogie board and her things. Something about the deep, open water now made her stomach flip. An unexplainable chill ran up her spine and she gripped the board. 

It felt like someone was staring at her. 

Sutton sucked in a breath and scanned the beach, but there was no one there. 

“Don’t be stupid,” she muttered to herself. 

And just like that, in the warm glow of the late afternoon, the lagoon felt incredibly isolated and she, dangerously alone. Her pepper spray was back in her bag on the beach. 

She was halfway back when something grabbed her by the ankle and yaned her under. 

Sutton’s scream cut short as she was dragged down into the water. Her boogie board flipped over in her desperate scramble to keep hold of it, and all her things were plunged into the ocean.

Sutton kicked and struggled, but whatever had her wasn’t letting go. There were fingers around her ankle. Like a human hand. Heat seared at her ankle and she stopped herself from screaming in panic. She opened her eyes, desperate, but the salt burned and she couldn’t see through the bubbles her thrashing created. 

Could see nothing, that is, besides what looked like a pair of glowing blue eyes. 

Sutton fought harder, her lungs aching, and whatever had her let her go. She broke the surface with a coughing, sputtering gasp as she sucked in air and swam like her life depending on it. 

The minute her toes hit sand she was running. She barely paused to scoop up her bag before she dove into the brush and sprinted the hike back to her car. Only when she was back on pavement did she stop and look back. Nothing had followed her, but that didn’t stop the dread from flowering in her gut. 

Her feet were still bare. She’d left her shoes.

Her heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of her right ankle. Black marks curved and swirled around her leg, inky and crisp like a tattoo. She dropped down into a crouch and rubbed at the markings all while the blood drained from her body.

“No. No way. What the heck?”

Oh no. Oh heck no. 

Her eyes darted back to the trail, but still. Nothing emerged. 

Well. She wasn’t going to stick around and wait until something did. 

--

Sutton limped into the hotel lobby. Her feet were cut up, she was dripping wet, and her skin was pale as a ghost.

The receptionist jumped up from their chair and blinked at her with startled concern.

“Miss, are you alright,” she asked. 

Sutton swallowed.

“Actually, I’m going to need to check out early.”

“You- Is something wrong with your accommodations?”

“Something happened.”

The woman at the desk blinked again.

“Something happened?”

Sutton grimaced and adjusted her bag.

“I mean, something came up.

She rummaged through her bag for her wallet to pull out her card and found her hand shook as she tried to pass it over. 

The receptionist grew more concerned. She stepped around the small desk as if to help Sutton to a seat.

“Miss, you look-”

The woman froze and her face went ashen as she took in the puddle of water and spots of blood at Sutton’s feet. Suddenly she backed up and put the desk between them again. Sutton watched as she pasted on a tight smile. The sort of expression you give someone when you’re trying not to let on that something is horribly wrong.

“I’m afraid check out hours are over until tomorrow morning,” she said, voice thin. “You’ll have to come back when the manager is here.”

Sutton balked.

“But-!” 

“Have a good night.” 

And then the receptionist had the audacity to walk away. She disappeared inside the office and didn’t come back out even as Sutton lingered at the desk.

She didn’t get much sleep that night. Her thoughts kept churning over her near death experience, the receptionist’s terrified face, the strange black lines on her ankle. 

The answer to the uninvestigated disappearances hit her with a terrible, near unbelievable, clarity. This town had a monster and the people knew it. And what kind of monster let go of its prey after it caught them?

Sutton tried not to hyperventilate as she pulled the blankets up over her head. 

The kind that toyed with their food. 

--

When she woke up her throat was dry. More than dry. Like she hadn’t touched water in more than a day dry. She stumbled out of bed and gripped the edges of the bathroom sink, drinking straight from the faucet until the feeling died down. Water dripped down her chin as she stared at herself in the mirror. She still looked pale and scared. Her hair was curling and frizzing out of control thanks to the salt water and the fact that she hadn’t thought to shower last night. 

To add insult to injury, since her phone was lost to the depths, Sutton had no way of contacting Vicki to let her know what was going on. Sure the hotel room had a landline, but Sutton had never bothered to memorize Vicki’s number after she’d added it to her contacts. 

She actually did know her mom’s home number, but when she tried to call it the phone didn’t have a dial tone. Her heart rate picked up as she tried several times to no avail. 

It was probably a faulty connection. The hotel was old and small. That was it.

The weather turned too, she noted as she packed up her things. Yesterday had been beautiful, but with it being the off season, poor weather was creeping in, and it only made her feel more anxious. 

With her car packed, she hurried back to the reception desk, ready to finally check out. 

“I’m afraid you can’t.”

Sutton blinked. The manager had a pinched look on his face as he stood ramrod straight and refused to make direct eye contact.

“Excuse me?”

He cleared his throat as his eyes flitted about the room. 

“Unfortunately,” he said, “we have a no refund policy. You’re booked until the end of the week, and I’m afraid that can’t be changed.” 

“You have to be kidding me.” 

But he wasn’t. No matter what she argued, he staunchly refused to check her out of her room and Sutton finally snatched back her card with a heated glare. 

“Fine,” she said, teeth flashing. “Email me the bill at the end of the week then.” 

He didn’t respond as she limped from the lobby and out to the parking lot. 

Sutton sat in her car a moment, just giving herself a chance to breathe. Heading out this early, she should be able to get home sometime after dinner if she didn’t make too many stops. She’d get back home and everything would be fine, and Vicki could have a first hand account for her podcast. That would make up for having to pay for the room for the full week. 

Straightening, she put her key in the ignition and turned. 

She waited. 

Nothing. 

Immediately she felt sick. Her car wouldn’t start and that made no sense. It ran perfectly fine before coming here. She’d filled the tank, changed the oil, checked tires, everything. Sutton smacked the dash a couple times and tried again. The engine didn’t even hiccup. 

“No, no, no, no.” 

She threw open her door and rounded the front as she shoved up the hood. Nothing looked wrong or missing, not that she exactly knew much about how engine’s worked. She jostled the battery cables a little and tried to start it again, but it remained dead. 

Dread creeped through her anew. What if-? 

Her gaze flickered to the hotel entrance. 

No. The locals were skittish, but they wouldn’t try to actively sabotage her. Would they? 

Sutton grit her teeth and grabbed her bag. It didn’t matter if they would or not. She was leaving this cursed town today. 

Luckily she had packed more than one pair of shoes, but it didn’t make up for the cuts she still had from running up the trail from the lagoon. The sky was overcast and she had a light jacket, but nothing really waterproof. Everything felt off kilter and skewed. Like she was living in a growing nightmare.

The town had to have a bus that traveled to the next town over. All she had to do was get on one and find a working phone away from this place. She could get her mom and Howard to come pick her up. 

She didn’t know what she was going to tell them about everything yet. Especially about her new unwanted tattoo. Could she even pass it off? It’d been less than a week since she’d last seen her family and weren’t tattoos red and swollen for a little while?

“Miss? Are you alright?” 

Sutton’s head snapped to the side. A police cruiser kept pace with her and a salt and pepper cop leaned slightly to see her through the passenger side window. She eyed him warily. He didn’t look as spooked as the hotel workers. If anything he looked more stern, which seemed natural with his profession. 

Sutton ran her tongue over her teeth. Her throat was already dry again. She only had so many water bottles left. 

“Um, I- actually, I’m trying to find the bus station,” she said. 

She was tempted to ask for a ride, her feet were killing her, but she was too afraid. The cop eyed her back a moment before he put on a look of confusion. 

“Bus station? I could, I suppose. But it wouldn’t do you much good.” 

Sutton’s throat threatened to close. 

“What do you mean?” 

He tipped his head in what she assumed was the direction of the station. 

“It only comes through here once a week, and you just missed it.”

She could cry. She couldn’t believe it. 

“Once a week? Are you serious?” 

The cop shrugged. 

“‘Fraid so. We’re a small town, you know. Hardly worth the gas for them, I suppose. Not unless it’s tourist season.” He gave her a pitying look then, and Sutton forced herself to hold back tears. 

“I suggest you go get a warm breakfast, drink some water. And rest your feet.” 

 He drove off before Sutton could question his statement. 

--

She only went back to the diner because she was at a loss with how to proceed. And she never brainstormed well on an empty stomach. Plus, she really was thirsty again. Unnaturally thirsty. 

She gulped down an entire glass of water and felt some measure of relief. 

But the food didn’t bring her any comfort. She glanced down at her ankle again and wondered if she ought to find a way to cover the mark up. 

No phone, no car, no bus. Sutton stirred her scrambled eggs around her plate. It felt like the only option left was to walk. 

Walk.

Her blood ran cold yet again. The dead guy in the picture looked like he’d been walking. Walking out of town. 

Sutton pushed her plate away and put her head in her hands. 

What in the world had she gotten into? And how in the world was she going to get out of it?

Could she?

The rain started while she was still picking at her food. Sutton sighed deep in her chest. It might as well. At this point she fully believed she was cursed by whatever was in that lagoon. A rumble came from outside and she lazily looked up to see if some thunder and lightning were being tossed in as well. 

A bus passed the diner and continued down the street towards the main highway. 

Sutton shot up in her seat. 

“That- that-” She shrieked in her throat. “That two-faced liar!” 

She did start crying then. Her lips pressed together even as tears fell. A police officer, a police officer, lied to her face to trap her here. Her breakfast threatened to make a reappearance. 

Every disappearance was from someone out of town. 

‘Human sacrifice’ sparked across her thoughts.

The diner was deathly silent and Sutton realized she was making a scene. Part of her didn’t care. Part of her wanted to scream at them that they wouldn’t get away with this, but it still felt too crazy to say aloud. 

Sutton finished off one more glass of water and went to pay for her food. The woman at the register who had been so friendly the day before now looked petrified. She passed Sutton’s card back, fingers barely touching the plastic, and someone knocked into Sutton’s side as she went to drop the card in her bag. She flashed a glare back, but the person didn’t pause to apologize.

She fled the diner, back out into the rain, and decided to screw it. She was going to go to the bus station and demand a schedule and buy a ticket, and if they really only came once a week then she was going to try her luck walking. 

The rain started to soak through her jacket by the time she found the bus station. There was one elderly man at the ticket booth and she pulled herself together as she faced him. 

“How can I help you, miss?” 

Sutton swallowed back her roiling emotions. 

“I was wondering what the bus schedule is. I was told it was once a week, but I just saw-”

The man leaned back, looking confused. 

“Once a week? Oh, no. That was the schedule years ago. The bus comes twice a day now. You can catch the one this evening.”

If she started crying again, the man kindly didn’t mention it. 

“Oh my gosh, you have no idea how happy I am to hear that. I’ll get a ticket.” 

“One ticket! That’ll be twelve dollars.” 

Sutton dug in her bag for her card, but couldn’t find it blind. She huffed and propped the bag up to properly search through it, but it must have been buried. It shouldn’t be so difficult. She’d dropped it on top of everything in her rush to leave the diner. 

The man waited as Sutton’s search grew frantic. 

“I just had it,” she said. “It- it was in my bag, I swear.”

But it simply wasn’t there. Even when she turned her bag inside out and checked every pocket. It didn’t make sense. She’d paid for her meal, got her card back and- and

And someone had bumped into her. On purpose. 

“I- I think someone may have...stolen my card.” 

The man looked at her with pity. She only had three dollars in cash. 

“I’m sorry, dear.” 

When she stepped outside again the floodgates of heaven opened into a torrential downpour. She could hardly see five feet in front of her, let alone walk the distance to the next town. 

She was a pathetic, soggy mess as she limped back through the hotel lobby, her feet aching and her eyes red. The hotel clerk silently slid her key card back to her over the counter and Sutton grabbed it without a word or even looking at them. 

Nothing felt real. Sutton peeled off her clothes and showered on autopilot. She sat in the room and braided her wet hair back as she tried to process her situation. 

How long until the locals broke down her door and dragged her back to toss her into the lagoon?

She tried the phone again but it was still disconnected. 

Sutton grabbed her can of pepper spray and paced the room. 

---

Hours later she was still winding herself up and trying to talk herself down in a vicious cycle. If she hadn’t braided her hair it would have been standing on end with the amount of times she’d attempted to run her hands through it. 

She was just talking herself down from another frenzy when the worst happened. There was a reverberating knock on her hotel door. Sutton froze. 

Her voice was stuck in her throat, but she wouldn’t have answered even if she’d been able to. 

The knock came again and Sutton rushed to push a chair under the door handle. 

“Um, can you open up? It’s time to go.” 

It was a man’s voice. Deep, if not a little uncertain, and Sutton bit back a scream. This was it. They were coming to drag her away to feed her to a sea monster that she didn’t even believe in twenty-four hours ago. 

“Or, you don’t have to open the door yourself, I guess.” The man said. “Though I know it’s polite to ask.” 

He was taunting her. 

Sutton clutched her pepper spray closer and tried to catch her breath. 

“I’m not going anywhere with you!”

There was a pause and the door handle jiggled. 

“You have to.” The man said. “You’ll be dead by the end of tomorrow.” 

Sutton went weak at the knees, black spots dancing around her vision.

“I’m not-” she choked trying to force the words out. “I’m not going to just let you drag me back to that lagoon. I won’t be the next person offered up in your sick ritual.” 

“You won’t be offered up,” the man said. He sounded mildly befuddled. “I already accepted the proposal.” 

Sutton bit down on her tongue. He already accepted? What did that mean? He got to be the one to throw her in? 

“You accepted.” She bit back. “So, what? You get the honors of taking me to the ocean then?”

“Yes,” he said. He sounded happy. It was sick. “And it’s an immense honor, believe me. You’re perfect.” 

She pressed a hand against her mouth and tried to breath so her heart didn’t explode. He was psycho and if he had his way she was going to end up like Nicholas Cage in that movie with the bees. 

“I’m coming in now,” he said. 

Her heart raced and she moved without thinking.

There were several loud screeches and groans of metal, and then the door handle snapped. She watched as the door eased open and the chair skidded to the side. The man poked his head in and Sutton only caught a flash of him. 

Tall, blonde, no shirt, incredibly well built. Strong enough to pop open a locked door and clearly strong enough to drag her off to be sacrificed. 

She pepper sprayed him thoroughly the moment he spotted her and opened his mouth to say something. 

He yelled in pain, swiping at his eyes as he stumbled back, and Sutton darted through the opening and out into the parking lot. It was still downpouring, but maybe she could use that to help hide her tracks. 

She ran blindly through the rain. Even with water pelting her in the face her throat still felt raw. Another cry of pain and frustration echoed behind her and sent tingles down her spine. 

“Come back, please!” 

Like heck. Let the sea monster eat him instead. 

--

The sky started to lighten from black to gray and it was still raining. Sutton forgot what it felt like to be dry and warm. She didn’t know where she was and it still didn’t feel like there was enough distance between her and the man she pepper sprayed. She thought she might cry if she didn’t get a drink of water soon and her skin was starting to itch and feel oddly rough given she was soaked to the bone. 

Eventually she crouched down in some bushes and cried into her hands. 

They were going to kill her. The man had confirmed it. 

You’ll be dead by the end of tomorrow.

She didn’t want to die. But she legitimately had run out of ideas of how to escape this wretched town. They’d clearly done this before and had their strategy down pat. Sutton had walked in completely blind. 

Someone cursed nearby and Sutton snapped her head up. It was the man. He stared directly at her and she wondered if she’d actually almost made it away from him, because he looked distressed. He reached her before she could take off running again, and she was so exhausted she wouldn’t have made it far even if he hadn’t. 

“I’m sorry, I should have caught up to you sooner,” he said. “You’re already starting to dry.”

Sutton wiggled in his hold, but he kept a firm, yet gentle, grip on her. 

“Hardly,” she snapped. “What’s it matter anyway? Does the sea monster have a preference with its snacks?” 

That made him still. 

“What?” 

Sutton sneered.

“I’m not stupid. Visitors going missing, the weird locals, my leg, that thing in the lagoon. You’re going to use me as some sort of human sacrifice so whatevers down there will leave the rest of you alone.” 

The man sputtered as he looked down at her. His brows furrowed. 

“What in the world-? That thing in the lagoon was me,” he said. “And I- I’m not going to eat you. I feel like there’s some sort of misunderstanding here.” 

“You?” Sutton tried to pull back but he still wouldn’t let her. “You’re the one that tried to drown me?” 

“I wasn’t trying to drown you! I was leaving the Mark. Accepting you as my wife.” 

Sutton went completely still. Her mind tried to understand what he said, but it felt like whiplash. 

“W- Wife?

He nodded.

“How about we try to start over? I’m Steve.” 

“What are you?” 

She was afraid to ask, but she had to. All this time she had no clue what she was dealing with and she was left scrambling. 

“I suppose you’d call me a merman,” he said. His voice was lighter now, like he was pleased with her finally calmly conversing with him. 

“Merman.” Sutton repeated quietly. 

“Can I know your name?” 

Sutton looked up at him as he stared at her with wide, hopeful eyes. Trusting eyes. 

“Put me down first and I’ll tell you.” 

He didn’t look like he approved of that, and she hurried to press the issue. 

“You’re making me nervous, and I- I just need some room.” 

Slowly, reluctantly, he put her down. His hands hovered over her arms as if she would fall over, but she knew it was more likely in case she ran. 

There was a pause and Sutton knew she only had so much time to stall. 

“I’m Sutton,” she said. 

Steve smiled widely as he repeated her name like it was precious. 

It was all ridiculous. They were both standing out in the rain, hair plastered to their faces, and she was actually believing he was a merman set on trying to marry her. 

“Steve,” she explained slowly, “I’m super honored to meet a merman, don’t get me wrong, but I can’t marry you. I have to go home.” 

He frowned again and his hand flinched. 

“The magic is already set,” he said. “You sang in the lagoon, and your voice called to me. You offered yourself and I accepted. If I don’t get you to the ocean to complete the change, you’ll die.” 

“Change?” 

He raised his brows. 

“Well you can’t exactly survive in the ocean as a human. You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed your dehydration. And now look at your poor skin. Nothing will cure that but the ocean itself.” 

She looked down at where he gestured to her arm and noticed the flakey, drying skin for the first time. The itch was only growing and it felt taut like a sunburn. 

“I’m sorry I let it get this far,” Steve continued. “We should go.” 

Sutton took a step back and pulled her arm out of his reach. 

“No. No. I didn’t offer my hand in marriage, I sang along to the radio! I’m going home.” 

Steve sighed. 

“You participated in the magic voluntarily. You can’t be upset that it worked.”

“I didn’t know!”

He looked bemused.

“And not knowing should exempt you? Is that how humans handle their binding agreements?” 

Sutton got the impression he was implying she ought to have read the fine print.

She swallowed and jutted her chin. 

“I should have gotten a warning.” 

“You just said you knew about the disappearances. Was that not warning enough?” 

There were a thousand things she could respond with. That she only came for Vicki’s sake, that she didn’t know the disappearances were due to mermaids, that she could have avoided these “consequences” if the entire town hadn’t conspired against her. 

But they probably wouldn’t help her much. 

She didn’t want to argue with a crazy merman. She just wanted to escape. Her skin was shifting from itchy to painful, and she still felt dehydrated. 

“I don’t care about your magic rules,” she said. “I’m going home.” 

Steve’s jaw ticked before he let out another sigh. Almost like he was resigned. Maybe Sutton actually got her point across.  

“Yes,” he replied. “We are.” 

And then he leaned down, picked her up by the waist, and threw her over his shoulder. 

Sutton shrieked and tried to fight, but she was at an odd angle and she couldn’t get any leverage the way he was holding her legs. He began walking back, uncaring of her struggles. 

“You can’t do this!” 

“I’m not going to let you die. You’ll understand once we get back to the ocean.” 

She hit him in the back with a fist but it didn’t seem to phase him. 

“You can’t heft me like a sack of potatoes. Are you a merman or a neanderthal?”

“If you hadn’t poisoned me, maybe I would have had more time to convince you.” 

“Oh?” She sniped. “But your face called to it, and the pepper spray accepted.” 

Steve deigned not to respond to that. 

He lugged her all the way back to the trailhead of the lagoon and down. Sutton’s resistance was starting to wane. Her throat was bone dry, it was getting harder to breathe, and her skin felt like it might start to split. 

“We’re almost there,” Steve said as he sprinted over the sand. “Just hold on.” 

Sutton saw a few of the sun’s rays on ground as the rain lightened up, and then she was plunged under the water. 

--

She managed to take one last breath before he dragged her under. Sutton flinched as he adjusted his hold on her, straightening her out to face him. But she had her eyes scrunched closed and refused to move. Muscle used oxygen and she couldn’t afford to lose any. 

She also couldn’t afford to not reach the surface. 

“Sutton, you can breathe. That’s part of the change.” 

His voice sounded different underwater, somehow more full, and it startled her that she could understand him enough that she opened her eyes. The water didn’t sting. 

Steve smiled at her, looking relieved, and ran a thumb over her cheekbone. 

“There. You look healthy again.” 

Sutton frowned. Her skin didn’t feel like tearing sandpaper anymore. In fact she felt… good. Her throat didn’t burn. 

But her lungs were starting to. 

She clawed at the water, trying to move up towards the surface, to air, but Steve wouldn’t let her. 

“In through your nose, out through your mouth,” Steve said as he demonstrated. And didn’t he make it so tempting? “You’re going to be okay.” 

The idea of just breathing water went against every survival instinct she had. It wasn’t even just that she didn’t want to, but she couldn’t begin to make herself. 

He might be a merman, but she was human. 

Sutton kicked at him and tried to break free. Steve pulled her closer to himself and wrapped his arms around her. 

“You won’t die.” He said around her thrashing. “Don’t you trust me?” 

“No!” 

She was stupid enough to answer. 

Water rushed into her mouth, down her throat, filled her lungs. Sutton coughed and sputtered and wheezed. 

But she didn’t choke. 

She took in another greedy lungful and- still didn’t die. 

“You can trust me,” Steve said. “I’d never do anything to hurt you.” 

Sutton found herself a bit distracted that she could breathe underwater. Her fingers flexed over his forearms as her eyes darted around.

“Except kidnap me.”

Steve let out an irritated huff and bubbles wobbled around his face. 

“It’s not kidnapping.”

It bothered her that she somehow felt normal again now underwater. It felt like Steve had won an argument. She supposed on that end he had. But it irritated her. 

Her eyes finally focused back on him and found him patiently waiting. 

“I understand it’s an adjustment,” he said. “But I’m going to be by your side the entire time.” 

“Entire time?” It was stranger still to be able to speak. To hear her voice somehow clearly.  “There’s more?” 

His lips tipped to the side and he put his hands on the underside of her forearms as he began to swim backwards. 

“It’d be difficult for you if you had to live with legs the entire time.”

A thrill ran through her and she looked down. Steve had a tail. 

It shouldn’t have surprised her, but suddenly it was all so real. He had a tail. Mermaids were real. 

His tail was a beautiful rich blue with both darker and paler blues speckled here and there as well as accenting his fins. 

“I’m going to have a mermaid tail.” 

“Soon,” he said. “Your body has to adjust to one change at a time. But you will.” 

He was still swimming on his back as he propped her up and took them further and further out into the ocean. 

“I’m still not your wife.” 

He wobbled his head like he disagreed, but didn’t outright contradict her. 

“I know humans have their own courting rituals. And I’ll do everything I can to prove to you we’re meant for each other.” He gave her a smile as he plunged down back over where more land fell away. 

“After all, you still haven’t heard my song for you yet.” 

[pravasichhokro]

Moments of Happiness in my Childhood

In complete contrast to today’s digital entertainment and modern transport systems, my childhood was simple but I enjoyed some special moments and activities. I will pen down the experience from 1955 to 1965 (my age from 6 yrs to 15 yrs). Those were my school going days in Ahmedabad.

The first priority was sports and games. I was an avid fan of soft ball (tennis ball) cricket and played it with friends almost anywhere and anytime. We played on streets, in compound of bungalows, in open fields, on terraces and in balcony. We adopted the bat size (small or big) and bowling style (overhand or underhand) to suite the space. I picked up, after class 8, field hockey under an able coach, who was an ex-India player. I excelled in hockey to represent Gujarat State in inter-state school tournament in Shillong, Assam. Other games were desi. We played team games at school- Kabbadi and kho-kho. We played marbles and gulli danda. We also played a game where 7 flat stone pieces were heaped like a pyramid and two teams were involved. The defending team will use a ball and try to topple the pyramid. The other team will hit with the ball the members of the team who toppled it. The first team will try to resurrect the pyramid without getting hit. It was an interesting game. Unfortunately I forget the name.

I also enjoyed indoor games –playing cards, carrom and chess among others. All these games were gender neutral and could be played with family or friends. One family, our neighbors, played chess with passion. The game would extend from one day to another and the chess board would remain untouched overnight.

Today’s kids play mostly games with smart phone, laptop and computer in the comfort of their home. Most of these games are foreign to us. Some Desi versions may be available.

Second on the list was outside food. My grandmother and mother cooked traditional Maharashtrian food at home so outside food had to be different. Once in a while we went to Havmor (Gujarati spelling of HAVE MORE) restaurant, which served variety of ice cream, Dosa and Punjabi Samosa. Their Cassatta and truti-fruity ice cream were popular and our favourite. Occasionally, we would go to Chetna Restaurant, which served unlimited Gujarati thali. In summer, we would go to Law College Garden (popularly called “Love” Garden for obvious reasons) in the evening. We enjoyed the pot ice cream, bhel and ragda pattice. The garden had a restaurant where there was an imported juke box. The machine played selected song once you put in a coin and press the number against your choice. The robotic arm would pick up the LP disc and place it on turn table. The movement of the mechanism was fascinating. I also enjoyed going to the famous night market at Manek Chowk for titbits. Please note that pav bhaji had not appeared on the scene then.

Today eating out is no more an attraction as most urban families eat out once a week when Lady of the House keeps the kitchen closed, her off day.

I was fortunate that my father took us once in a while to see Hollywood comedy films of Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin and Norman Wisdom. These films were either silent or English but neither hampered the laughter that got generated naturally. My father also introduced us to wild life through movies like African Safari and Hattari. The wild life depiction was so real and very engrossing. This experience was reinforced with visits to Kankaria, Ahmedabad zoo and Byculla, Bombay zoo ( Rani chi bag).One movie, which was most educational, was “Around the World in 80 days”. My father had briefly told us the story but the picturisation of various countries and the difficulties faced en route were very mind blowing for a child. I still recall the train being held up due to thousands of wild cows/cattle crossing the rail track in USA. After age of 12, I was allowed to see two Hindi movies a year (one after half yearly exam and another after annual exam) with my friends. Present day kids enjoy cartoons and other animated movies on TV or internet at home.

We eagerly used wait to go to a circus, which happened once a year. I have seen most of the famous circus of those days- Gemini ( Mera Naam Joker fame), Rajkamal, Appollo. As a child, I was quite impressed with the acrobats and animals showing their skills. But the most awaited act was by the jokers- small and tall or fat and thin as the pair might be. We enjoyed these acts so much that we used to try to enact them at home with friends after coming back. Today I never hear any urban kid having seen a live circus. My wife keeps pressing me to take her to a circus when we see advertisement of it in Pune local newspapers. We saw one virtual Rambo performance last year on laptop during lockdown.

We, as kids, looked forward to two festivals – Divali and Makar sankrant (Uttarayan). Divali meant new clothes and fire crackers. Shopping for the fire crackers was exciting as we would go late at night to a whole sale market to seek bargain and rub shoulders with the crowds. Makar Sankrant meant kite flying day. The preparation would start with getting the “manja” (special thread) and then buying various types of kites from the night market. On the day (Jan 14) kite flying would start early morning and end late evening. The food, Undhyu (a Gujarati mix veg specialty) and Jalebi, would be served on the terrace. I believe kids enjoy these festivals, on a smaller scale, even today.

I enjoyed various rides (not roller coaster type). I started using city bus to go to school from age of 8. I started using bicycle in high school. I recall our long cycle ride to Theur Ganesh temple in Pune during summer holidays. I used to look forward to train journey to our native place in Maharashra for summer holidays. We made transit halt at Bombay (Mumbai now). I loved the ride in horse carriage (called Victoria) from Chinchpkali to Bombay Central or Byculla Zoo. I also used to take ride in double decker bus in the front row on upper deck from Chinchpokali to Ballard Pier and back. Once in awhile I took the double decker tram from Lal Bag to Fountain. Both these rides gave a good view of the major parts of Bombay and were the best time pass.

In conclusion, I can state that the academic performance, where I excelled, never gave me the kick (happiness) as the above mundane activities did. I had no access to TV, WiFi-smart phone, tablet, and laptop. For some readers, it may be difficult to appreciate my feeling of happiness at such most common acts. Each person finds his own moments of happiness, I guess.