Unnatural Disaster
The Titanic, sibling rivalry, and one troublesome pet.
Day 2 prompt for Bradley Ramsey The Halls of Pandemonium
“Write a story or poem about the sinking of the Titanic, only this time it wasn’t an iceberg.”
The water was so cold it stole the breath from the lungs. The women, children, and crewmen inside the lifeboats couldn’t believe their eyes as the largest ship in the world, a masterfully made vessel, slowly sank into the sea. The children cried, clinging to their mothers, their fathers, strangers. Adults were processing the shock. Some were angry. Some joined in the children’s tears. Others were praying.
In the moonless, windless night, the ocean looked like a pool of black ink. And below the bobbing lifeboats, something darker than the water moved. Swiftly. Smoothly. Out of the deep rose the giant maw of something massive. They couldn’t see all the teeth, but they could hear the crunch and screeches of metal as a shadow took a bite out of the middle of the ship.
“Why did you let Snorgleborp into the tub?” Xyrazigan shouted at his brother.
“I didn’t let Snorgleborp into the tub! He jumped in on his own!” Formivvinal snapped.
“MoooOOOoooom! Formivvinal let Snorgleborp into the tub again!” Xyrazigan said.
“Did not!”
“Did too!”
“Did not!”
“Did too!”
“BOYS!” Their mother shouted as she came in to see all the hubbub. She put her 4 tentacles on her hips and gave her sons the mom stare. They instantly quieted. “How many times have I told you not to torment the poor humans?”
“We were just playing natural disaster, Mom!” Xyrazigan said.
“It’s not natural if you two and the megalodon are involved!”
“But mom!” Both boys protested.
“Nope! Not one more word. Get out of the tub and leave the humans alone. You’ve frightened them enough!”
With grumbling and growling and a short chase to grab Snorgleborp from his feast at the bottom of the tub, the boys climbed out.
“Snorgleborp, I hope you’re happy for ruining bathtime!” Xyrazigan said, glaring at the self-satisfied Miocene shark.
“Yeah, Snorgleborp! Next time we’re putting you on your leash.” Formivvinal said.
Snorgleborp just rolled his eyes. He was too content to munch on his metal and human snack.
