The sea kills

In one small town, people have been disappearing for the last 2 months. Every accident is terrible for everyone, because most of the missing people were children. There also was suspicion that it was a maniac. Everybody was afraid of him. The police could not find any signs although maybe they were just too lazy to figure it out. So strange. Since even the law enforcement agencies could not promise the safety of citizens, could the students do it?

                                                The sea kills

                                                        Chapter 1

                                    A strange missing  

Helen was a conventional 14-year-old teenager. She had a few friends from school who were true and faithful. She goes to school 5 times a week. Helen was not afraid of the maniac, but she always wanted the police to catch him. She didn’t know what to do. Her mother always asked her not to worry and to be more careful. 

Sometimes she thought it was funny because everything was out of bounds. She was not allowed to go on evening walks, which she loved so much. Nevertheless, Helen continued to leave the house as needed. 

The children who had disappeared were from 7 to 12 years old, so she didn’t care about it unlike most of her friends. The person she could trust with everything she has is her bestie Lori who always supported Helen in difficult times, and also approved even the most heinous decisions.

It was Monday. The 14-year-old Helen was at school waiting for Lori. She wanted to have talks with her as usual, but her friend did not come. It was really strange, because she always phoned her if something was wrong. Helen was waiting for her till the lesson started. It was boring as usual, so she didn’t listen, because had a worse mood. Suddenly the door opened. There was a policeman and Lori standing in the doorway. Girl’s eyes were red with tears and she was trembling. The children were shocked, but the teacher was still calm. The man asked to come in while Lori sat down near Helen.

– What’s happened? – asked Helen, but there wasn’t any answer. 

The policeman came in and the teacher spoke.

– Class, Mr Smith wants to have a pra-phylactic talk with you. – after these words she turned to the window not listening. Then Mr Smith started to talk.

– So. You know that the children in this town disappear for 2 months. This weekend your classmate has gone. – students were horrified. They turned around to see everyone. 

Helen looked at Lori. She calmed down and spoke in a whisper. 

– It was Nathan. He had gone when was returning home in the evening. My mother told it. 

– Do you think it was Mr Cagy? – Helen called a maniac like Mr Cagy because the man who was doing it was so secretive. Lori nodded. 

– I didn’t want to go to school when I found out about it.

– Don’t worry, sis. Nathan obviously will be back soon.

Mr Smith continued to talk about security.

– Well, what you must know are the roles of security. Don’t leave the home after 5 PM without adults! You must always look around for strangers! Your parents should know where you are under any circumstances. If you find out something about miss boy you can tell us. Excuse me, Mrs Black, I spend so much of your time. 

The teacher said nothing. She was sleeping quietly.

The bell rang and the policeman said goodbye. Most of the children went into the corridor and only a few pupils stayed in class. It was time to talk seriously. One more girl approached them. It was Maria. Her face was white with fright.

– Poor you! – Lori said. They felt sorry for her because everybody knew Maria lovedNathan. 

– It’s enough! How long can this go on!? – Helen shouted, – Isn’t it strange? He was 14 years old!

– He is! – Maria cried, – Not “was”! He is still alive! 

– Calm down both of you. Everything will be alright. – Lori was scared too, but she wanted them not to shout about it.

– Can you promise? You can’t! Our peers began to disappear, even classmates. Sooner or later the turn will come and then we. – Maria wiped away the tears that ran down her cheeks.

– OK, we just must put up with it. We can’t do anything. – Lori continued.

– Can’t we?  – Helen was surprised, – Oh dear, the cops can’t catch him for 2 months. Do you want anyone to disappear? 

– Uhh… What about Mark? He is such a pain in… – Helen interrupted Lori.

– You don’t! Well… Maria, what about you? Can you take a chance for your loved one?

– I can, but how can I help him? – Maria asked. She wanted to save at least one life if possible. 

– Are you serious? Come on, Nathan is dead. Get it finely! – Lori did not like that idea. 

– Didn’t you say that everything will be alright? – Lori was too negative and Helen was annoyed about it.

– I did not say he will be resurrected! 

Maria was confused.

– Lori, if you don’t want to intervene you may not. Isn’t it right, Hely? 

But Helen didn’t want to do anything without her friend. All 3 girls were puzzled. Maria continued.

– May we ask our classmates about it? It can be an accident, but his friends should know more about it. – She was obviously determined.

It was a good idea because they wanted to know some more information. Someone said that he had training that evening and was returning home at 6 o’clock. The children disappear after 5 o’clock as usual. It wasn’t enough to do some findings.

“The training finished at half past five. We came out together, but he lives on Highway street, so we went home separately.” – said his friend, who was always near him. He was confused too. So strange. 

The girls were leaving the school together.

– Should we end this or become the next missing children? – Lori stayed wary.

– You are right! – suddenly Helen had an idea.

– What do you mean? – Maria did not understand her words.

– I mean we just have to be a third party. You know, if he takes people from the only street we can go there in the evening!

– Have you left your mind? – said Maria, – My mother won’t let me go! I can’t!

– I agree with Mary! – Lori poses a fact, – It’s impossible. Do you think our parents will be glad with it? It is our security!

– Look, I’ve got a plan. I will check all newspapers with the news and find a true street. Then we’ll ask us to stay overnight. And then we will meet.

There was silence for a few seconds. Lori and Maria looked at each other.

– I’ll try. I will do my best – said Mary. – And Lori?

– OK. If something will be wrong I don’t care. – Helen was surprised with Lori’s behavior. She has never said things like that.

– Oh God. Alright. Good bye, girls! – Helen left them.

– See ya! – Girls went home too.

                                                         Chapter 2

                                    Prohibition violated

Finally Helen was at home. When she was in her room she threw the backpack aside and took some newspapers. She checked every deal. That was right. The children disappear from the one street.

– Great! 

She took a telephone and wrote the message to her friends:

 “We are meeting in the highway street near the corner shop. There will be a sign “GREAT DISCOUNTS”. Waiting for you at 5 ”.

Everything was wonderful. At half past five she put the things into her bag and went to the front door. Helen’s mother stopped her. She was always strict to her so it was the worst thing that could happen.

– Where are you going? 

– I’m going to Lucy’s house. She invited me to stay overnight. – Lucy was a good girl. Helen knew that mother liked her so she lied.

– Have you seen the time? It’s too late to leave the house! 

– But… – Helen tried to think of the way, – you can’t keep me at home like a dog on a leash! 

– Shut up, Helen. It’s my duty and right! Just go to your room and do your homework. I’ll call Lucy’s mother and say sorry. – she took a telephone.

Helen was furious. It was a failure. Helen returned to her room and cried for 30 minutes. Then she thought of another way. Helen would go later. Her mother would not know that.

At 5 o’clock both of the girls met.

– Hey, Maria! – said Lori.

– Good evening. Where is Helen?

– Perhaps she will be a little bit later.

They waited for 30 minutes. The sun started to set, but there was nobody.

– What the hell! – shouted Lori – Is he joking or what?

– Keep calm. I’ll telephoned her. – Maria called a number. Noone replied. – Lori, she doesn’t answer the phone.

– It’s becoming dark. We must return home.

– But if she comes? 

– Mary, she wouldn’t come. You don’t understand. She left us here. 

Maria was shocked by her words. 

– Lori, I know that it’s dangerous, but you don't even try to find out anything. She is our friend, you must be on her side. 

Lori said nothing. She just departed.

– Please, wait! – Mary put her hand and held tightly. – I'm scared too, but I'm still here for Nathan! Can’t you do the same for your friend?

– I don’t want to risk my life to die at last! 

Those were her last words. Lori went home in a hurry as Maria. 

It was 8 o’clock. Helen’s mother was sleeping when she opened the front door. Helen left the flat quietly. After 20 minutes she was near the shop. But there was no one. Helen left the telephone at home because she didn’t want to get calls from her mother. It became very dark and there was nobody in the street. Suddenly she became so frightened. Helen realized that she was alone. If there were her friends they all were in security. 

A girl decided to go into the shop. It works for 24 hours so she could stay there at night. She came in. There was only one seller. He was young and had a big scar on his throat. He looked at the girl.

– Good evening, young lady. – he smiled kindly, – it’s too late, isn’t it?

– Good evening, sir. – Helen was polite, – That is, but I should stay here. It’s dangerous.

The man laughed.

– Of course! Why aren’t you at home? Your parents are worrying, aren’t they? – the seller was so friendly to her.

– She isn't. – she stayed near the cashbox. – She worries about my marks, and that’s all.

– Poor girl. – the man sighed, – You are just like my daughter. She is so polite and careful.

Helen did not listen. She was looking at the door not knowing what to do.

– Look! You can take something from the shelves.

A girl was surprised.

– I have no money for this – she said sadly.

– You will be here all night. Are you sure? – the man stayed gentle to Helen, – I won’t say anything!

– Thank you, sir.

She took a few candies and ate it.

– Should I take some mattresses from storage?

She was surprised again. Why were the mattresses in the storage? 

– You know, nobody is here at night. So The sellers can sleep a little. Come with me.

The man left the cash register and went into the storage, turning to the girl. She came into the small room first. It was true. There were 2 mattresses and some pillows.

– It’s wonderful! Is it comfortable for you? – The girl was really happy. She smiled to show it. But the man locked the door. The light that came from the shop lamps stopped illuminating the room. 

– What are you doing? 

The seller said nothing.Helen stepped back when the man walked towards her. 

– Stop doing this! I’m scared! – she shouted and turned around looking for something to hit him. At that moment she noticed the hammer. Helen grabbed it and picked it up to attack. The man froze but there was no fear on his face.

– Dear, calm down – he said quietly. 

– No way! Who are you and what did you do with children? – then she found out something else. There was a terrible smell in the storage. So terrible that she felt a sick feeling in her stomach.

– What children? Are you talking about missing kids?

– Exactly! – her voice was so confident. – Tell me or I will kill you with this hammer! 

The man laughed aloud.

– You and what army? My girl, I’m already dead! 

Helen was shocked and disappointed. She dropped the hammer. Her legs began to wobble and her face went white. 

That evening Helen did not return home.

                                      Chapter 3

                                      The secret

It was Tuesday. Lori was afraid because her friend did not come to school. Yesterday she seemed to be indifferent to the fate of Helen, but now she was crying. Maria walked up. Lori tried to speak.

– It's my fault. I shouldn't have let this happen. 

Mary felt sorry for her.

– Don’t say that. Honey, you couldn't influence it.

– Oh, Maria, you are wrong! I’m so sorry, but I met the killer before! 

She was surprised by her words.

– What are you speaking about? Why have you not tallen this? 

Lori stood up. She held her friend and left the class room. They went to the empty corridor. She told her story.

– It was in the last month. I was wandering through in the evening and decided to visit a small shop on the corner. There was a young seller. I remember he had such dark hair and pale skin as a dead human. And one more. He had a big scar around his neck. I just wanted to buy some candies, but the seller grabbed my hand and dragged me to the storage. He wanted to beat me with his fist. While I was shouting the door opened. He had not locked it. Some man came in. He was shouting at me, but the seller had gone. I tried to explain, but he did not listen. 

She whipped her tears.

– Oh, How I was afraid when you decided to find the maniac. I didn't want anything to happen to you.

Maria was puzzled. She tried to find the words. There was the silentes for a few minutes.  

– Lori, it’s. I am afraid to imagine how you were scared.  

– It doesn’t matter now. We must find her until it would be impossible. But I have a wish. Please, don’t tell anyone about this! I’m afraid he would find me or us.

Maria nodded.

When the lessons finished they decided to go to this strange shop until it would be 5 o’clock. They were afraid but there was no other way. Maria took a chance for her boyfriend and Lori stood brave for her friend. 

When they came in they looked at the seller. It was an old man with a kind smile. Maria walked towards the cashbox first. 

– Excuse me, sir. – she said politely. – Does the young man with black hair and white skin work here? 

The seller looked surprised. 

– Do you mean Mr Miller? Yes, he does! Have you seen him here before? He is strange, isn’t he?

Lori came up too.

– Well, yes. Does he work in the evening ?

– You are right. He has a night shift. Do you need him?

– We do. Can we wait for him here? 

The man thought for a moment.

– It’s dangerous. What would your parents say if something happened to you? I can’t let you stay here, I’m sorry. Next please! 

He went on to serve the visitors. Lori and Maria went outside to think of another way to catch the strange seller.

– Why did he say that it was dangerous? He obviously knows something! – Maria was thinking that the man was in conversation with Mr Cagy. 

– Are you tricking? They work together! Of course he knows!

– Do you remember Mr Smith? The policeman that visited the class on Monday. I think I have a plan. If this man works here we can go to the police station and tell them about that night when you were in danger. It’s more light for us. 

– No, we can’t! – Lori shouted. – Didn’t I ask you not to tell anyone about this?

– Come on! Do you think he is just a ghost? It’s impossible.

– Let’s just try to do it without anyone else.

– OK. So we are going to wait for night. 

It was 5 o'clock. Lori and Maria were waiting on the corner not making any noises. The old seller left the shop and met a man near there. Lori knew him. It was Mr Cagy.

– Good evening, gaffer. – he said cheerfully.

– You are just in time – the old seller said kindly. – Aren’t you famous? Today I met some girls who asked about you.

– What girls? – he became more serious. 

– Oh, they are so cute. About 14 years old I think. And they really wanted to see you!  – it was a mistake. Mr Cagy did not answer. – Perhaps they fell in love with you. – he smiled.

– Yes. You are right, gaffer. Thank you. – the young man went closer to him. – It’s enough.

– What do you mean? – the old seller seemed to be frightened. 

But Mr Cagy said nothing. He just grabbed his neck and began to choke. The old man could not breathe and could not speak. The girls were shocked that no one in the street did anything to help. They just didn't see it. 

When the old seller’s face went blue Maria jumped out from the corner. 

– Stop! Let him be! – it was too late. Mr Cagy let go of his neck and the man fell down on the roadside breathlessly. Some of the people ran up to him and checked his pulse.

– Oh no… Hey, you! Call the doctor quickly!

                                                     Chapter 4

                                       The last try

Few days have passed. The old seller had died when the ambulance men arrived.The shop closed when the one of the only sellers had died. The two girls were keeping a secret from other people for a long time. Now they obviously knew about the mistick that was going well in their small town. Maria was really stressed and Lori tried to give her some courage. 

– Everything will be alright.

They were walking through the Highway street at 5 minutes to 5. Suddanly, when they passed by the shop they noticed a girl. She was knocking on the door of the closed shop.

– Who is she? – asked Mary when they stopped to watch it.

– She looks like Mr Cagy. Isn’t she?

There was a silentes for the moment. Lori decided to come up.

– Excuse me – she said quietly. – Who are you and what are you doing here?

The small girl looked frightened. She looked up to Lori. Her eyes were full of tears. 

– ¿Dónde está mi papá? – she asked Lori. She was puzzled.

– I don’t understand you, dear. – when Lori turned to see Maria, but behind her was no one. It was strange.

– ¡Debería haber estado aquí! – the small girl cried out. 

– Damn! – Lori couldn’t believe it. Where did Mary go and why? Shouldn’t she be there? – Listen to me. I’ll call someone right now and they may help you. 

But the girl did not listen. She cried and nobody in the street reacted. 

– Hey! Can someone help here! – Lori shouted.

– What’s happened? – asked some man. – What’s wrong?

The small girl disappeared. Only Lori was standing near the shop. She didn’t know what to do now without a girl and Mary. Where is her friend? 

3 minutes before, while Lori was talking to the door, she noticed something. The man in black mantle was wandering through the road while the cars were driving. He was wearing a hood, so it was hard to see his face. It was so dangerous. Maria decided to chase him. The man continued to walk through the road and in one moment changed his way into the lane. There was and some bums were drinking a beer together. He came up to them.

– Good evening – he said kindly. The bums became more quiet. 

The man in black put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a couple of bills. 

– I have a wish for you. – he took off his hood. The light from the street lamps illuminated his face. It was Mr Cagy. 

He put a couple of bills on the ground. 

– The two girls walk there in the evening. It’s a big problem for me. You should find them as soon as possible. 

The bums cheered up. 

– Of course, Mr C.D.R. – said one of them. What does C.D.R mean? Could it be an abbreviation of the real name?

Maria was afraid of this man and the bums. It was a new danger for girls.The strange man disappeared and Mary decided to run away from this place. She wanted to warn her friend about it, but suddenly her phone rang. She jumped with frightened. 

One of the bums shouted.

– Here she is! Let's catch her immediately! 

They ran up to Maria. She screamed, but no one was in this lane anymore. 

– Let me go! Please! Leave me! 

Someone else's hand covered her mouth. Maria couldn’t escape. 

Lori was worrying. 

– Freaking! Take the phone! – she thought that something terrible had happened. Mary did not answer the phone. It was late and she wanted to go home. But if her friend was in danger? Suddenly she thought of the idea. There wasn’t anybody on the street so she decided to get in the shop. The door was locked so the last chance for her was to break the only window next to the front door. 

It was easy for her, because the glass was old and thin and it was not as loud as she guessed. Lori got through the broken window into the shop. It was dark, so she turned on the light there. It didn’t work so she looked up to the lamps. They were broken. 

She turned on the flashlight on your phone and looked around.

She wandered. The sound of her feet interrupted the silence. Suddenly she heard a noise from the storage. She couldn’t move because of the fear. After a few seconds she stepped up the door and pushed the doorknob down. It wasn’t locked for her surprise. 

The door creaked and cracked. When she directed the light of the flashlight into the small room she saw some newspapers lying on the floor. The title was written in huge font: “THE SEA KILLS”. She sat down on the floor and checked it.

“4th July 1953. A terrible death has happened to a little family from Spain on a cliff near the sea. It was an accident. The girl was walking with her father on the crags. He was distracted for a moment, but it was a big mistake. Little girl called Benita stumbled and fell from the small crag onto the sea. When her father was looking for her she was already dead. 

Her poor father Mr David Rodriguez couldn’t believe it. He lost his mind for a few days after the accident. 

“My girl… My lovely daughter! I’ll find you! I promise!” – Those were his last words before he arrived in the loony bin.”

Lori took the next newspaper.

“15th July 1953. David Rodriguez, the father of the dead Benita Rodriguez, died. He had cut his throat with a sharpener, which he himself did in a mental hospital. Paramedics found him already dead. It was a suicide. The doctors couldn’t do anything.”

                                             Chapter 4

                                     C.D.R

Maria was sitting in the darkness on the cold floor. There was a smell of gasoline. Mary was in a small garage where the bums had dragged her by request of Mr Cagy.

Suddenly it became lucid. She saw a man wearing the black mantle. She obviously knew him. He has a white skin and a scar around his neck. Maria became frightened.

– Why are you doing this? – she cried out. – Where is my dear friend Helen? Where is my lovely friend Nathan? 

– Are you certain that you want to know the answer? – he said quietly. – Nathan, the last boy I killed so far, is dead.

It was horrible. Maria cried.

– And What Helen? – he seemed annoyed. – I’ve never met any Helens before. 

– What!? – Maria didn’t believe this man. – The last girl you have caught!

– Oh… Do you mean Benita? She is my daughter! 

Maria was confused. 

– She isn’t your daughter! She has a mother!

– Shut up! – he was angry. – Bloody kids… That’s enough! 

Mary’s face became pale, because after those words the man killed the old seller.

At that time Lori stayed in the storage alone. She was thinking.

– What does it mean? Did the man die because of his daughter’s death? Is this seller David Rodriguez?

She remembered a terrible scar and the way the man had died.

– Bulshit – she said to herself. Then she found out something else. There was a large wooden hatch on the floor at the other side. She crawled closer and lifted it. When Lori directed the light from the lantern there, she saw the ladder that led down. It was strange. What was on the bottom? A girl decided to be braver than before and do it on her own for her dead friend. 

She went down the ladder and got on her feet. It was so cold because of the ground.

– Who’s there? – asked a known voice from the darkness. Lori knew that it was Helen.

– Helen? – she asked the unknown person. 

A shame of the girl appeared in front of her. It was her face, pale and thin. 

– Oh! My dear Helen! – Lori ran up and hugged her. – You’re still alive! I knew that!

– I’m so glad to see you again,sis – Helen kissed her cheek. 

– What are you doing here? – she asked at last. – What’s happened? 

– Oh… it was horrible. The seller… he has kept me locked up here! How did you get there?

– I’ll tell you everything. We should run away from here, you know.

The two girls got away from the shop. Helen was surprised that it was locked now. She also took with her some bread off the shop shelves, because she was starving.

– Can we go home now? – she asked Lori – I can't wait to see my mom!

– No, we can’t – Lori stayed worried. – We must find Maria!

– Is she here? What are you both doing here? 

– It looks like we found out who that man is! You see, he is a simple seller, but he died many years ago! I’m afraid that Mary is in big danger right now!

Helen was shocked.

– Well… OK. Do you know where is she?

– Exactly no. She had gone. Let’s find her.

They walked through the street looking for their friend. At one moment they turned to the dark lane.

– Can she be here? – asked Helen – She is so fearful, isn’t she?

– She is! But I have no other idea. 

Suddenly they saw bums in front of them. 

– Here they are! – they shouted.

– Get away! – Helen wasn't as scared as Lori. She took a small knife from her pocket. One of the men laughed. They weren’t frightened.

– Oh! Calm down, covered in shit kid! – he came up. It was in vain. Helen ran up and hit the man with a knife. There was a wild scream. Blood flowed in a stream. The bum fell down, but Helen did not stop. She was beating him with her knife cruelly. 

– Helen! Let him go! – shouted Lori to her.

The man didn’t move. He was already dead. The others were shocked. They sobered up instantly. Lori’s got an idea. She ran up to Helen.

– And what now? Well… If you don’t let us see Maria, there will be more corpses!

                                                 Chapter 5

                                   The sea kills

12th Mart J 1953. A man called David Rodriguez moved to America with his little daughter Benita to have a rest. David had a vacation for a few months, so he could spend all his time with Banita. 

It happened in summer. 4th July 1953. The man was going to visit a cliff with his daughter, because it was so beautiful there.

Little girl was jumping with happiness. It was the first time they went out together after their mother’s death, so she just wanted to have some fun with her father.

Banita came to the edge of the crag and looked down at the great waves that hit the rocks, washing them. It was a wonderful sight. 

– ¡Papá, esto es genial! – she exclaimed to him. But David did not answer. He wasn’t there. 

She looked around. It was empty around here. Only the wind was blustering and the waves were clashing with huge rocks.

Banita bent down and saw it. She wanted to watch the waves below so she ran down the slope and jumped onto the nearest rock. She shouted with fear, but when she landed lucky she laughed with delight. 

– ¡Mira dónde estoy, papi! – she looked up and stepped back. The rock she was standing on was too slippery due to splashing water. She fell down into the water.
Banita was too frightened to shout for help.

The water was ice cold. She was pulled to the bottom and raised to the surface. She wanted to call her dad, but huge waves washed over her before she tried to scream. The strength left her. 

When David returned, he didn’t see his daughter.

– Banita! – he called her. David ran up to the edge and looked down. – Banita! 

No one couldn’t do anything. Banita was dead.