No Gods Above the Stars (Altemens Book 1) by S. N. Prasher

Author:S. N. Prasher [Prasher, S. N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-10-16T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Alastair hobbled over the rocky terrain, trying to keep his balance lest he fall into the turbulent water below. Ahead of him, Matthew adeptly clambered around the craggy outcropping. He teased Alastair for his prudence as the waves crashed about, dusting them both with salty mist. Looking up at the sun through his hands, Alastair cursed himself for not listening to his mother when she told him to wear sunscreen. He continued onwards over the rocks, trying to find Matthew in the crevice that he attempted to descend into. The smell of the ocean was more intense here, and Alastair grimaced at the sight of the amorphous yellow foam trapped in some of the tide pools.

“It smells awful down here.” Matthew’s voice was almost drowned out by the crashing waves.

“Yeah,” Alastair sniffed. “I think we might have screwed up the timing on this one.”

“My dad said the tides turn every six hours.” Matthew came closer, careful not to trip on the rocks. “We can come back in another three or something.”

“I mean, there’s this one.” Alastair pointed. “I think the tide is coming in right now anyway, not going out.”

“Hey!” Matthew smiled and pointed. “Check it out!”

Alastair looked down at the frothy pool, where a small crab scuttled at the water’s edge. It danced with its claws raised, as if threatening to attack.

“What do you think it’s trying to do?” Alastair asked.

“Probably looking for food,” Matthew observed. “Or maybe it’s trying to kill us.”

“It would be cool to see an octopus.”

“Yeah.”

They sat for a while watching the crab, and then poked the anemones for a time when they got bored, giggling as the sticky tentacles latched on to their fingers.

“I heard that if you leave your finger in long enough, it will dissolve.”

“No way man,” Alastair responded, shaking his head.

“My aunt works for the aquarium,” Matthew retorted. “She told me so herself.”

Alastair scoffed at the notion, turning his attention to the waves, which were now fast encroaching on their position.

“I think we should probably climb back up,” Alastair said, noting the water level.

Normally Matthew would have goaded him into staying longer, but even he was not fearless, though he often pretended to be. They climbed up out of the crevice and onto the high rocks, surveying their oceanic kingdom. The waves continued to crash helplessly against the wall, with the two friends relishing their temporary invincibility. Above them, the fast-moving clouds began to obscure the sun, much to Alastair’s relief. He breathed in the salty ocean air, thankful that the fetid odor within the crevice could no longer reach him. Alastair turned to follow Matthew as they made their way back to the shoreline, a seemingly endless journey over the treacherous and jagged stones.

“So, who are you taking to the prom?” Matthew shouted back at Alastair.

“I don’t know yet.”

“Too many to choose from?”

Alastair laughed, shaking his head and flashing an obscene gesture at his best friend.

“How about you loser,” he retorted. “You taking your mom?”

“Don’t talk about my mom.” Matthew sniffed, signaling for Alastair to back off, an order to which he complied.

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