Written for Day 26 of the
31_days July challenge. The prompt was "well, this is getting weird."
The horizon was obscured by a thick blue haze that covered the surface of the lake. The gritty grey sand baked in the midday sun and the air smelled of salt and water weeds. Socks and shoes were discarded at the water’s edge and summer picnickers hopped barefoot from their beach towels to the shoreline and back again. The ground scorched their bared soles.
The little disposable barbeque released erratic puffs of black smoke and the cheap frozen hamburgers laid over the foil grill were raw and charred in equal measure. Simon gave them a dubious poke with a pair of salad tongs, then abandoned them in favour of a peanut-butter sandwich.
Marshall was skipping stones across the lake, ankle-deep in the surf. The trip to the beach had been his mother’s idea. Marilyn had produced the loaded ice chest full of picnic supplies with the sort of alacrity that suggested she’d had it ready to go for some time. Syndi was on a weekend trip with friends, enjoying the freedom that came with a license and a borrowed car and Marilyn thought that getting out of the house for the rest of the day would do him some good as well.
He’d taken the hint.
The retreating tide had left a scattering of detritus in its wake; small white shells, smooth cloudy lumps of sea-glass, driftwood worn light and pale by the tumbling salt water. Questing tentacles groped blindly amongst the mess, the sand-squids and those kraken still young enough to lurk in shallow water hunting for a tasty snack.
Some of them were wrapping around the cooler, surreptitiously attempting to pull it closer to the water. Sparky barked out little puffs of hellfire in warning, and the tendrils released their grip with a noticeable air of sulkiness.
Simon reached for the bag of semi-stale burger buns, slid a partially-cooked mystery-meat patty between the two hard rounds of bread, and handed one to a retreating appendage. The be-suckered limb had barely curled around the proffered food before it’s companions were swarming across the sand, crowding around Simon’s ankles and reaching expectantly upwards.
Seeing the surface of the lake churned white with motion, Marshall glanced back towards the sandy slopes to where Simon as making lunch. He rolled his eyes.
“I told you not to feed them!” he yelled.
Simon shrugged helplessly and began tearing a second burger bun into smaller pieces, scattering them at the hungry crowd of sea-monsters before him.
Microwave-verse
Bonfire by
froodle, in which Pinocchio is ruined forever
Gingerbread by
froodle, in which there is a witch in the Eerie Woods
Leaves by
froodle, in which plantlife finds Marshall entirely too enticing
Offspring by
froodle, in which there are dragons
Based on Your Previous Purchases by
froodle, in which Mars should really pay attention to Amazon's reccomendations
Housework by
froodle, in which a rota cannot be agreed upon
Breakfast by
froodle, in which Dash's attempts at cookery do not go well
Ghost in the Machine by
froodle, in which a new laptop opens an old wound
Consequences by
froodle, in which an encounter with leprechauns leaves the boys very tired indeed
The Microwave by
froodle, in which Andrea Fantucci returns to Eerie after a considerable absense
The Eldritch Abomination in the Room by
froodle, in which the microwave is most definitely not discussed
Basic Household Maintenance by
froodle, in which manticores are inconsiderate houseguests
Torrential by
froodle, in which there is a storm, and the boys eat ice-cream
Linens by
froodle, in which Dash X makes a bed
Night Music by
froodle, in which Simon is woken by a nocturnal visitor
In For The Night by
froodle, in which Dash refuses to leave the house
Hound by
froodle, in which Simon makes a friend
Errands by
froodle, in which Simon has a to-do list
Waterlogged by
froodle, in which Eerie experiences heavy rainfall
Rainbow by
froodle, in which Dash fails to properly appreciate Michael Flatley
Trusted Associates, Inc.
Halloween by
froodle, in which Mars and Simon celebrate a Von Orloff-free All Hallows Eve
Surprise by
froodle, in which Mars tries to make sure Simon's birthday goes a little better this year
The Glade by
froodle, in which Simon and Mars visit a place that only exists on February 29th
Egg Hunt by
froodle, in which Simon and Mars partake of some traditional Easter activities
Boardwalk by
froodle, in which Simon and Mars are swayed by radio advertising
Lady in Red by
froodle, in which Simon experiments on the old-fashioned radio in the Secret Spot, and horror ensues
Seafoam by
froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the seaside
Taking a Break by
froodle, in which Simon and Marshall enjoy some much-needed R&R
Shoreline by
froodle, in which Simon and Marshall investigate strange happenings on the shores of Lake Eerie
Parade by
froodle, in which Mars takes issue with the Eerie Beekeepers Association's choice of mascot
Homestead by
froodle, in which Marshall finally gets something useful out of shop class
Slyboots by
froodle, in which a certain corporal of the infernal regions comes to Eerie. Crossover with Johannes Cabal the Necromancer.
Waterlogged by
froodle, in which Eerie experiences heavy rainfall
Facilities by
froodle, in which the Eerie Bus Station and Supper Club has a problem with the men's toilet
Castle by
froodle, in which there is unexpected architecture in Eerie
Visitor in which Marshall's grandma comes to stay
Phonebooth by
froodle, in which someone goes to great lengths to ensure a certain call does not go through
Festival by
froodle, in which Eerie's local businesses celebrate the summer
Strawberry by
froodle, in which there is unauthorised hubbub in Eerie
World Chocolate Day by
froodle, in which even chocolate can be weird in Eerie
Shrubbery by
froodle, in which there is malevolent greenery in Eerie. Maybe.
A Night at the Circus by
froodle, in which a carnivale comes to town, and Marshall and Simon do not enjoy themselves
Hound by
froodle, in which Simon makes a friend
Errands by
froodle, in which Simon has a to-do list
Teller Family History
First Date by
froodle, in which a young Edgar Teller shows off one of his earlier inventions
Popcorn by
froodle. Friday night is always movie night in the Teller household.
The Teller Home for Displaced Youth by
froodle, in which Edgar harbours some doubts about his new home town
Tornado Day, Revisited by
froodle, in which Syndi learns exactly what it means to be Miss Tornado Day
Culinary Delights by
froodle, in which Syndi's terrible cooking may or may not have been an accident
Camping by
froodle, in which Syndi cannot sleep
Artist in the Family by
froodle, in which an immortal creature takes a liking to Syndi
Without Due Care and Attention by
froodle, in which Syndi finally becomes mobile
Brunch by
froodle, in which Marilyn does not appreciate Edgar's help in the kitchen
Handmade by
froodle, in which the Tellers receive a Christmas package from Marilyn's mother
Poor Life Choices by
froodle, in which Syndi loves her brother anyway
Lillian by
froodle, in which Marilyn's mother has concerns
Visitor by
froodle, in which Marshall's grandma comes to stay
Cygnet by
froodle, in which Lillian and Harley go fishing
Fresh Sheets by
froodle Tradition by
froodle, in which Dash and Marshall decorate a Christmas tree
Hometown by
froodle, in which Mars and Syndi visit New Jersey