The neighbourhood is quiet. It’s Saturday afternoon, and the big game is on. Everyone is inside, watching. I walk the streets with my dog, Aussie. The sun is bright, the breeze gentle and cool.
We turn a corner, the road slowly winds downwards. I don’t usually come this way. I don’t know where it leads. Aussie barks at a bird up ahead, pulls on the leash, dragging me with him.
I smile, and increase my pace. In the distance are trees, old growth, undisturbed. The way between them seems darker than the sidewalk we’re on. The sun overhead is warming. Their shade offers refuge.
The houses here begin to look different, older. Their yards overgrown, blending in with the coming wilderness. Then we’re within the trees. Aussie growls, whines.
“It’s okay, boy. It’s cooler here. Go find your bird.” And I take him off leash. He stays close to my leg.
We walk. There are no houses now, just trees. Ancient towering trees as far as the eye can see. Above, barely a glimpse of blue sky can be seen.
Something moves in the canopy above. Aussie barks. I pause and look up, catching a glimpse of dark green feathers, scales. My mind pauses. Scales?
Ahead, a dog howls. Aussie whines, moving between my legs, leaning and shaking. The howl comes again, but it’s no dog. The pitch is all wrong. Too high, and deep.
Aussie calms when it stops. We continue to walk, and round a corner. The trees part as I watch, slithering to the side, revealing a bright sky, and an ocean below. As we walk, the scene reveals. Within the ocean, an island. On the island, a city of dark towers. Above the towers, dark stars blink into view.
It’s night, but not.
“We’re not in Kansas anymore, Aussie,” I say, reaching down to attach his leash, slowly backing away from the edge of that dark sea.
Stepping backwards, I run up against something hard at my back. Something that’s both bony, and writhes. I look down. Yellow cloth billows around my ankles. I see a tentacle reach out and engulf Aussie. He’s gone without a whimper. And I know soon I’ll be next.
Do you love Morte’s writing? Check out the rest of her MAC work, here; https://mountainashchapter.com.au/?author=6