Free Dive_Nautilus Legends by Emma Shelford

Author:Emma Shelford [Shelford, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fairy Tales; Folk Tales; Legends & Mythology, Fantasy, Contemporary, Urban, Sea Stories
ISBN: 9781999101916
Google: c_aVDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Emma Shelford
Published: 2019-06-06T05:40:10+00:00

JULES

“It’s great stuff,” the man said. Jules couldn’t remember his name, although he’d introduced himself only minutes before. He was small and wiry, with a high-pitched voice. “You won’t regret it. No aftereffects, either. Just good, clean fun.” The man winked and Jules laughed.

“What the hell, I’ll bite. Why’s it so cheap?”

“Producer’s just getting started, trying to find out demand. Price will go up soon. Try it now while you can afford it.”

Jules dug into his pocket for his wallet. It was light—Zeb wouldn’t pay him until after the week was done—but there was enough for one hit. He slid out a bill and handed it to the man, who pocketed it and gave Jules a tiny parcel of twisted wax paper.

“Eat the cracker inside—it’s got the stuff on it. Tastes horrible, so down the hatch in one.”

Jules nodded. The man saluted him and walked away, pulling a gray hoodie over his head. Jules untwisted the paper. Inside was a saltine cracker, slightly discolored but dry. Jules grimaced, then he shrugged and popped the cracker in his mouth. The novelty of the drug attracted him—he’d tried other substances in the past, for kicks, but this was entirely new, according to the seller—and he didn’t see any reason why not to do it. The price was right, and he didn’t have to do any work until tomorrow. It wasn’t as if what he did would matter to anyone.

“There you are,” Krista’s strident voice called out. Jules swallowed the cracker and turned around. His three boat mates walked toward him, and he mustered an easy grin.

“Hi, all. Find out more about your fish?”

“A bit,” Zeb said, his calm face stoic as usual, although traces of frustration marked his mouth for Jules’ experienced eyes to see. “Tell you more on the boat.”

“Come on, we’re hungry.” Krista waved at him impatiently, and Jules slowed his approach to annoy her. “What were you doing out here, anyway?”

“Trying new things. Hey, maybe I should get that dealer back here. You could stand to loosen up, Krista.”

“Dealer?” Zeb looked worried. Jules did his best, but Krista’s uptight influence infected Zeb from time to time.

“Yeah, hot new product on the market. Still new, so it’s cheap enough that even I can afford it. Good times for half an hour, and no aftereffects. What’s not to love?” Jules continued toward the pub’s entrance. “Let’s order.”

The pub jumped to the left. He stumbled when the ground buckled to account for the pub’s movement.

“Jules?” Zeb grabbed his arm. Alarm colored his voice. “What’s happening?”

“Damn pub moved on me,” Jules muttered. “Tell it to stay still.”

Corrie gave a murmur of consternation, but Jules only had eyes for the enormous humpback whale lounging behind the pub. It was a lurid purple with blue eyes like crystals and five horns surrounding its upper lip.

“Why does it have five horns?” Jules said. “Seems excessive. A waste of good horn, if you ask me.”

This struck him as quite witty, and he started to laugh. Zeb whirled him around until they were face to face.

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