Vampire Of The New World

The sharks continued to encircle the boat as it made its way through the tiny islets that seemed to sprout from the sea. The formations became more fantastic and grotesque as they moved southerly. The sun has moved closer to the horizon and the occasional flock of birds that flew overhead were already flying home.

Jon decided to go to the deck to catch some air and watch the islets as the boat cruised along. The sharks had increased in number since he saw them. He felt agitated as he remembered the many stories and myths that revolved around these creatures. Shark attacks are fierce and lightning fast, so humans do have a reason to fear them. However, he knew that these creatures were oftentimes misrepresented by the movies that exploited people's natural fear of them. He learned, for example, that it was more likely for one to get hit by lightning than be attacked by sharks.

Jon pondered over all these things and tried to calm his nerves, but at the same time remembering the many films that he watched involving the menacing creatures. He imagined himself falling overboard and the sharks rushing towards him as they fought among themselves on who would get the biggest piece.

Jon winced at the thought and turned away from the sharks towards one strangely shaped rock formation ahead. At first, Jon was attracted by the striated patterns on the rock that seemed to resemble muscles. As the boat moved closer, the rock started to assume the appearance of a distorted human figure. The arms seemed to be bound at its twisted back and its head was turned away. Slowly, the boat passed the rock and Jon got a full view of the other side. He was filled with horror as, for a moment, a strange hole formed a gaping maw much like a human screaming in terror.

"Do you like what you see?" Jon was startled by a voice coming from his side. He looked at the source of the voice and found Captain Salazar standing beside him. "I have always liked looking at these rocks," continued the captain. "They fill me with inspiration, the way that Salvador Dali was inspired to paint his surrealist landscapes by the rock formations of Cap de Creus."

Jon saw in his mind eye the fantastical landscapes of Dali. Watching the rock formations, he imagined himself becoming a part of Dali's paintings and disoriented by the strange shapes and impossible objects.

"Dali was one imaginative painter," Jon replied. "But I really find his contorted shapes rather disconcerting."

"Ah! But you will find that Mr. Dante adores his works."

Jon was silent for some time and then replied. "Does he love art?"

"Yes. You will find his collection quite interesting. He is always on the lookout for great art to be sold at auction and does not shy away even if the prices reach astronomical highs."

All of a sudden, the boat shook violently and Jon lost his balance. He almost fell overboard, but the captain was quick to get a firm grip on his arm. Jon felt the steely grip of the captain's hand as he was pulled away from the railings and towards safety.

"Thanks," said Jon, still dazed after almost falling overboard to the waiting sharks.

"Mr. Dante commanded that I take care of you," answered the captain. "Go back to your cabin as I deal with this." He took the tone of a commanding naval officer and made his way to the bridge after seeing Jon starting for his cabin.

Inside the cabin, Jon contemplated what had just happened. Captain Salazar was quite strong for his age. As much as Jon was thankful that the captain saved him from what could have been an agonizing death as feed for the sharks, he could not take out of his mind how detached the captain looked when he pulled Jon out of danger. Somehow, Jon felt that the captain could likewise be dispassionate if it were the other way around and he were feeding Jon to the sharks.

Exhausted by the long journey and his close brush with death, Jon began drifting off to sleep and saw the yacht as if from above like he were flying or on a parachute. He saw the sharks making endless circles around the boat against a backdrop of cerulean. He was mesmerized by the movements in the water until he heard one soft hum that crescendoed into a piercing scream. Suddenly, he found himself in the water and gasping for air. Soon, he felt something brush against his back, followed by another against his leg. The last thing that he saw was the gaping mouth of the shark and its rows of teeth in front of him before everything disappeared into black as the predators rushed in a feeding frenzy.

Jon woke up with a start, breathing heavily. He was sweating profusely yet he felt the chill in the air. The day had advanced to twilight and the sky had darkened with gray clouds still hanging low in the sky.

He climbed back on deck still troubled by his dream. He looked for any of the crew, but found no one. When he went towards the stern, he found two of the crew bending down and carrying something wrapped in a blanket. Upon closer look, Jon was shocked to see blood dripping from the blanket and leaving a trail of red smear across the white deck.

"You should have waited below deck," came the familiar voice of the captain.

"What happened?" asked Jon. "Was that one of the crew?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, he went overboard when the boat was attacked by the sharks, the same time you almost fell."

Jon was shocked by the news and was speechless for almost a minute. Sharks don't just attack boats!

"Death comes fast in the water. You should take care and stay in your cabin for the duration of the journey," said the captain as he left Jon with mouth still agape.