Small Monsters by E. Lily Yu

Author:E. Lily Yu
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

* * *

That peace ended abruptly on a clear afternoon.

The wind was crisp and blowing off the sea. The sigh of the waves curling in and out hid for a time the sounds of approach. The clawed creature was carving a sand dollar into layers of lace, and the small monster, admiring, did not hear. Only when sand trickled in rivulets down the dune above them did the small monster lift its eyes and see.

Another monster crouched at the top of the dune. It also boasted a crown of horns, though its sides were stippled with ruby spots.

Uh-oh, the clawed creature said. Excuse me.

It tucked itself into its shell. The next wave that foamed in carried it off.

What do you want? the small monster asked.

You.

Do I know you? the small monster said. Then it shook itself from horns to tail in surprise, for it recognized the other monster.

As well as your own blood, the smallest monster said. I’ve tracked you through mountains and forests and fields. And now I shall eat you.

Why?

You owe me. The smallest monster dug its red, red claws into the soft white side of the dune.

Then it sprang.

The small monster turned sideways, and its sibling crashed into its seaweed-draped mail. Claws clacked on gold; a fang shattered. The smallest monster rolled and rose, snarling.

If you’re hungry, the small monster said, these waters have squid and dogfish in them.

I’m not here for fish, its sibling said.

The small monster met the next charge with one glass-and-gold shoulder.

No.

Again its sibling found footing and lunged. Again the small monster knocked it aside.

The smallest monster howled. Lie down and let me tear your throat out!

No.

Let me bite you and drink your ichor!

No.

While they fought, shreds of kelp fell from the small monster, until it shone with uncovered gold. The smallest monster champed its needle teeth and struck, but it did no harm. As it reared to strike again, the small monster bowled its sibling onto its back.

The smallest monster writhed upon the sand. I’ve given up so much for you!

I’m sorry, the small monster said. Go away.

You think you’re so special, its sibling said. But I know you!

The smallest monster splayed its horns, spat, and padded off. Its tail scribbled arabesques in the sand.

The small monster watched the smallest monster go, until it was too far to see.

After some time, it felt a slight itching on the side of its neck. This was the clawed creature, climbing to the small monster’s horns. From that perch, it surveyed the aftermath.

You’ve lost some coins, the clawed creature said. I’ll fix them. Hold still.

The small monster waited for it to cement the loosened coins back into place. Then, setting the clawed creature on its back, the small monster waded into deeper water and swam in the opposite direction from its sibling.

For hours it swam, long after the sky reddened and darkened, until a rising tide carried them ashore. The small monster rested its chin on the cold wet sand.

This should be far enough, the clawed creature said.

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