Honeymoon Bliss: extended version

         Thick clouds covered a colossal moon. Anatu recalled having seen the majestic globe surrounded by streaks of vapor. Its beauty born of darkness cast a spell so profound that it promised to break the chains of mediocrity. A loud heaving of breath shot out of the bathroom. “Len, are you sick?”

         She waited for reassurance from her new groom, feeling guilty for forgetting to pack the first aid kit. More heaving, followed by thrashing, made swallowing her saliva difficult. With each gulp, a burning sensation gnawed at her throat. “Len, darling, please let me in.”

         The heaves were replaced by short steady pants as if he fought to recover from a marathon. She jiggled the knob, but the door remained locked.
“Go away!” His hoarse voice disturbed her.

         She placed hands over emerald eyes, praying for guidance. Anatu’s mother had instructed her about the rituals of love and how virginity gave way to womanhood. The nineteen-year-old had voiced her objections about honeymooning on the cliff. She agreed because the cabin hung near an edge over the ocean. The sound of waves crashing onto shore soothed her.

         A loud bang sent the walls vibrating. She jumped with fright. “Damn it Len! Let me in!” She pounded delicate fists on the door, “Ouch!” cracking a nail upon the second strike.

         Her fingernail bled and the noise in the bathroom came to a sudden halt. A sinister silence coupled with a cool breeze stirring from the open window sent chills up her spine. She hugged herself, glancing at the night sky. The clouds moved like phantasms set to unveil a terror unseen by living eyes.

         She exited the cabin and reached for an axe, wedged on a stump. Her frail arms could not budge the tool usually reserved for separation. She screamed, angry for being a girly girl. She never played sports, never lifted weights, but she did swim which gave her strength. She tried again and thought it moved. A quick chuckle, followed by despairing grunts, escaped her lips. She let go of the axe, drying her hands against her black negligee. She had spent hours looking beautiful for Len, but he had insisted on going for a short walk, alone. She was angry at herself for having fallen asleep and missing his return. If it wasn’t for hearing shattering glass from the bathroom, she’d never known Len was in trouble.

         A deep growl came from inside. It didn’t sound like Len. She screamed, for never in her brief life did she dream her wedding night would scare romance away and bring forth the horror of the unknown.

         A new light shined upon her. She glanced at the sky, grateful for the moon’s illuminating kindness. “I’m coming, honey!”

         The wind blew the scent of the ocean, renewing her energy as she felt a tidal wave spiraling through her veins. Another loud thrashing got her attention. She glanced over her shoulder, worried her lover faced danger.

         “Damn it! Come out!” She lifted the axe off the stump, almost falling to the ground. Regaining her balance, she sprinted with bloody finger dripping on the axe handle, ready to save her perfect match.

         Anatu struck the door with fury. Len answered with a splinter of wood and a long, “Awooooo!”

         She fell back as something stirred inside her. She felt a primal need rising out of her pores. “Len, I didn’t know you’re so kinky.” She forced a grin, hoping for a sexual resolution.

         The door held, but as another blow struck the door from Len’s side, splinters rained on Anatu’s hair. She caught a glimpse of something dark and hairy. Her mind raced with thoughts of a wild animal attacking her husband. Instead of running away like a good girl, she lifted the axe, prepared to defend against whatever had her husband. She screamed, “Len, talk to me!”

         Sharp stabbing pains forced her to lower the weapon. She stooped, backing away from the door. Elongated hands attached to large talons ripped away more wood. Her eyes opened wide as a black furry beast growled. The stench of wet canine mixed with something unidentifiable to her. She could no longer afford to save her husband. She needed to live.

         As the beast obliterated what was left of the door, Anatu dropped the axe and sprinted into the wilderness. The clouds lifted, allowing the moon to provide enough light that she headed straight for the cliff. On land she always felt awkward. She longed for the safety of the ocean.

         A loud growl grew closer. Branches buckled under weight as she ran barefoot over rocks and twigs. She heard heavy breathing. She wanted to glance over her shoulder, but resisted, thinking nothing mustn’t slow her down.

         She felt her hair get caught on something. Having no choice, she peeked behind and saw strands of her hair tangled with one of the beast’s talons. She continued to move away, leaving the creature with a chunk of hair. Just as Anatu cleared the trees and spotted the open cliff, she twisted her ankle, falling with a loud thud. Her shoulder scraped against sharp rocks. The stench of her own blood turned her stomach.

         The beast howled. The way it stared she thought it tried to hypnotize her. It lifted its powerful hairy arms to the sky as if paying homage to the moon.

         Anatu got up, maintaining balance on her good leg and jumped off the cliff. She landed in the ocean, praying the beast would not follow. Feeling at home underwater, her vision improved, the pain in her ankle all but disappeared. She was shocked to see the beast splash into the ocean. It was within arm’s reach. The pain she felt in her stomach earlier, travelled to the rest of her body. The beast extended its hand, trying to gash at her with talons. It missed.

         Anatu felt her body sinking, water rushed her lungs. Her bones snapped, prompting her to scream underwater. The initial change always hurt. She spotted the beast trying to dog paddle. At first hairy feet with curved talons struggled against the sea. Suddenly, the talons disappeared, the feet shrunk to man size. She recognized the creature. She wanted to shout out her husband’s name, but it was too late.

         Anatu spotted Len swimming with the waves. He was getting closer to the shore. She couldn’t allow him to escape. She couldn’t allow him to get back on land and prey on the innocent. She swam underneath his body, opened her wide white shark jaws and latched onto his torso. As she dragged him to the depths of deep, she realized why she loved him. They had so much in common. They were both were’ creatures and they both dined on meat.

- 1, 130 words