The Creature

by Stefani Davila and Gonzalo Galdames

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“Suppose there is a creature here, Sam.” The sound of water clashing against the oars enveloped the surroundings with the sounds of gentle waves. “Suppose I throw you into the water right here, Ralph. Heard the water is lovely this time of year.” The water, of course, was hardly lovely as it was close to freezing. Just above 5 degrees, a dip inside would chill even the most hardened swimmer. Sam and Ralph were avid outdoor enthusiasts and the opportunity arose to vernute out in Loch Ness. 

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The outdoors were always of interest for the boys, reenacting old Scottish legends and historical battles in spectacular fashion. However, there was always a legend that stood out the most for them. The infamous Loch Ness Monster.

 

“Hey Sam, you still have that picture ma gave you of the creature?” Sam instinctively rustled his coat pocket to see if the old family heirloom was still there. 

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“Why, I’d never leave home without it.” Taking the picture out, he studied it closely, looking over the black and white blotches in the crumpled paper while hoping to figure out a detail that he hadn't seen before. It was all the same to him. The beast had peaked its head out of the water and that was it. No epic battle or frightening hell spawn to fear. Unless … Sam and Ralph kept going, rowing aimlessly in the freezing Scottish loch. Searching for answers that kept averting their attention, the boys grew desperate and were beginning to lose faith in their mission.

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Suddenly, a ripple pierced the surface. Capturing their attention, the boys rowed frantically. 

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What was it?” “I don’t know.” The vast emptiness of the loch had been disturbed, and the boys wanted to get to the bottom of this. “Was it over here, Ralph?” 

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“Aye, I am sure of it. I saw a clean fin coming out of the water. Could be a fish, no?” 

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“Nah Sam, that was too big to be a fish. Thinking more like a creature, y’know?” 

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“No Ralph, just no. Quit thinking that this is all always a fantasy. I want to catch it.

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Believe me, I do. But I want to make sure that it is here first.” The boys eagerly looked over their boat, hoping to see some misty figure lurking in the depths below, but they could not find any such description.

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With the sun setting, time was running out, and the cold breeze swept throughout the area. The calm waters slowly started churning and the boat started teetering ever so slightly. Ralph and Sam’s confidence started dwindling and desperation found its way into their hearts.

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“Oy, Sam! Suppose we row back now? Ma should be setting up the table and wondering where we are.” Sam, disconcerted, ignored his brother and scanned the shadows that lurked around. 

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“Hey, don't get your knickers in a twist now, aye? It was your idea to come out here anyway looking for this, this creature. God knows if he’s really here” Nonetheless, Sam wanted to believe. He yearned to see the creature with his own eyes; instead of relying on old pictures and insufficient research. Suddenly, a flurry of waves started to rock the boat back and forth. They could feel themselves starting to rise from above the currents! “Ralph, what are you doing? What the hell is that? Are you seeing this?”

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 “You called it, Sam! You found it! Look!” Below the fragile boat, was the wet skin of a large, amphibious-like creature. There was no way, no way it could be what they thought it was, just unreal. The boys now shivered out of pure amazement rather than the cold. A loud roar echoed throughout the loch, leaving some deaf ears in the process. The boat was sailing onboard another vessel who took them to the stars. 

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It was hard to put into words what the boys had seen. The cosmological blanket had enveloped them with the light of the heavens, not allowing any mortal shackle to drag them down. Touching the Countenance Divine, the boys had transcended the planes of the ordinary. The Loch Ness Monster had set sail for waters previously not gazed upon by anyone, and as such had become the preferred refuge of the beast. Pillars of light stretched to infinity, the waves never troubled them, guiding them to their destination. How was it possible to experience such power, such magnificence? 

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Sam was the first to wake up. His eyes opened and his vision blurred. He could faintly make out the shape of his mother, frantically making her way closer. 

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“Ralph, wake up. Wake up Ralph. Ma is going to kill us. Ralph!” Sam, struggling to turn around, found emptiness greeting him in his stead.

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The dancing stars, climbing waves and rustling night were the only things he could remember from that night. Nonetheless, he knew Ralph wasn't really gone. Every night before going to bed, he could faintly make out the shape of his brother, in the night sky above him. Until one night, his eyes were not playing tricks anymore. A familiar voice called out from the loch,

“Sam! Over here!” 

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