Washed Up [Ch. 1]

Windwood Beach, New Jersey. The nearby amusement pier was flourishing with adults and children alike. Although packed with people, Windwood Beach was practically empty. There were a group of friends sitting in a circle on the sand.

The moon shined, and seagulls flying around squawked, occasionally diving down to pick up scraps of food. For the most part, it was quiet. Except for the screams coming from the amusement park. On a typical Saturday night, what else was there to do besides the amusement pier? Twenty past nine o'clock, the group was listening to one of their favorite bands: Queen.

He had brought his beats speaker to listen to music, further setting the tone for relaxation. What better way to compliment this music than with a joint? Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out a rolled-up joint, reaching into his front shorts pocket to grab a lighter. Putting one end into his mouth, he flicked the lighter to light it.

Putting the lighter back into his pocket, he took the first, long hit. Inhaling and holding his breath for a quick moment, he then blew the smoke out. As he took another one, he asked if anyone else would want some.

"Anyone?" He said as he held the joint out, moving his hand back and forth.

"Sure," Tommy said as Luke handed the joint over to him.

"We're gonna get caught," Nala said in a worried, nervous tone of voice. She rubbed the back of her neck as Luke then passed it on to Mallory.

Nala, you could say, was the always paranoid one of the group. You could go further by saying that she's overly paranoid. The beach is empty, and the pier is about a mile away from where they were hanging out. If the beached were packed, they wouldn't have begun smoking. The chances of them being caught in the "act" were low to almost nothing.

"I'll be right back," Tommy said as he got up. He brushed the sand off of his shorts. "Just gonna piss real quick."

As he walked away, Luke noticed him stumbling and tripping over himself. That's when he decided to get up and go walk with Tommy. Nala, Mallory, and Vicky stayed behind. Vicky took a hit off of it as she passed it along to Nala.

"Just take a fuckin' hit," Vicky said in an irritated tone. Nala rolled her eyes and shook her head. She waved her hand.

"No. I'm good."

Vicky sighed dramatically while she rolled her eyes.

"Bitch please, just take a hit."

A short distance away, down by the water, Tommy and Luke stood side-by-side with each other. Luke was facing the other way while Tommy was pissed.

"Is something bothering you?" Luke asked, "I sense something is. Are you sure you're okay?"

"What do you mean?" Tommy asked as he zipped his shorts back up, then tightened the black belt back around his waist. Upon looking up and out onto the breezy, vast ocean, something caught his eye.

"Uh…Luke?"

"What is that?" Tommy questioned, "you see it too right? It's not only me seeing it, right?"

Luke turned around. Tommy pointed out straight ahead. The water was choppy, so whatever it was that Tommy initially saw, Luke didn't see it.

"Whatever it is you saw, I don't see it," Luke mentioned to Tommy. Tommy looked over to his left at Luke, still pointing out what he was seeing.

"You don't what looks like a body? Really?"

Luke didn't bother arguing with him. It would kill the mood. So, instead of doing that, he looked out onto the water once more, scanning and examining it from left to right. Even though he still didn't see it, he lied to Tommy.

"Oh…I see it now."

"Looks like a body, right?" Tommy suggested.

"It's still too far out to tell, but from our standpoint it does; yes."

Mallory, Vicky, and Nala overheard what they were talking about. They watched the boys as they both pointed out onto the ocean. Mallory raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm," she mumbled, "wonder what they're pointing at."

"How's it feel?" Vicky asked Nala, "good?"

Upon blowing out, she covered her mouth and coughed heavily. It wouldn't take long for whatever it is, to wash ashore. When it did, Luke and Tommy walked over to it. It was lying face down on the wet sand. His body was in an awkward position, and his skin color was strange.

"What the fuck is this….thing?" Tommy asked as he picked up a large twig off the ground. Walking up to it, with the stick pointing down at it, he poked it twice. He waited for something to happen, but it didn't.

"It's human," Luke mentioned, " look at his body physique. It's similar to ours."

"No shit," Tommy said, "I've seen pictures of other people like this. Their skin color was the same grey color."

Tommy reached into his pocket to grab his phone. Turning around, he now faced Luke. Opening his phone, and scrolling through pictures…

"Here are a few," Tommy said as he held his phone out to show Luke. Swiping through the pictures, he only had four. The photos were proof of his claim.

"There's more of them?" Luke questioned.

"Haven't you heard about the secret Navy operation? Codename: Operation Fury?"

"Doesn't ring a bell, no."

Tommy rolled his eyes and turned the phone around again, only this time he went to the internet to pull up an article on what he was talking about. Neither of them noticed that the person's hands and fingers began twitching.

"Listen," Tommy said, "this article was published four days ago. I'll read it."

| Channel 12 News – Mysterious Creatures Wash Ashore in Washington D.C; Residents of D.C And Surrounding Areas Warned To Stay Indoors; F.B.I Director Charles Wells Urges |

Date: August 21, 2022

Written By: Victoria Alonso

Updated: July 28, 2022 @ 8:31 P.M

Local Law Enforcement officials are baffled by the startling discovery of a group of mysterious creatures that washed ashore early this morning. From what we've been told, a sig-legged, similar to a spider, creature with two heads morphed together. A muscular creature with a baby face and tiny arms was also among those who were discovered.

Late last month, the United States Navy released a statement to the press in regard to Operation Fiery; which ended in success and minimal casualties, and what came of that military operation. As of now, there is no reason to panic. At this time, all beaches will be closed until further notice.

It wasn't until two weeks later when the President himself addressed the nation on their secret attack on the island. According to F.B.I files that were recently declassified after the announcement, the renowned scientist Matthew Cross [a former scientist who was employed by Sahara Therapeutics Corp] was wanted on counts multiple counts of murder and manslaughter.

We had a chance to interview F.B.I Director Charles Wells. For clarity, we've edited this conversation:

Victoria Alonso:

Mr. Wells, thank you for taking the time to talk with us today.

Mr. Wells:

It's a pleasure. Thank you for having me.

Victoria Alonso:

Now about the recent press release, tell our viewers, what is going on here. Bodies upon bodies washing ashore?

Mr. Wells:

Operation Fiery was a successful operation carried out by the Navy. I can't say much at this time. The first report of these…these mutants–uh–creatures came in from Washington D.C. Local authorities responded to the scene where a male body was found.

Proper closing of the public beach ensued, while further investigations and examinations of the body were carried out.

Victoria Alonso:

What came of this discovery after the body was recovered?

Mr. Wells:

I cannot say at this time.

Victoria Alonso:

What can you tell us about this interview?

Mr. Wells:

I recommend and urge people to refrain from visiting beaches until there's more information. At this time, state governors have issued temporary closures of all beaches until further notice. In short, we ask that the public allocate us time to properly investigate this threat.

Victoria Alonso:

Threat? Could you elaborate more on what you mean, Mr. Wells?

Mr. Wells:

We're, with the information we do have, are considering this a dangerous threat. State and local officials are enacting temporary closures on all east coast beaches. When these mandates go into effect is up to State and local officials. I cannot elaborate any more than that.

Victoria Alonso:

I'm afraid we're out of time, Mr. Wells. Thank you again for calling in.

Mr. Wells:

A pleasure. Thank you, for having me. Bye, bye.

Victoria Alonso:

Alright…take care.

[End of Transcript]

Upon the conclusion of our interview, we're left with more questions than answers. At this time, no casualties have been reported, nor injuries or sightings. What's to come of these sightings? I suspect there's more to the story than what's being told.

*** Be advised that this remains a developing story. Check back soon for more updates and information. Authorities ask that if you have any information, you're urged to contact your local law enforcement officials. ***

Author:

Victoria Alonso

Editor:

Jason Wilde

Publisher:

Channel 12 News, Spectrum Corp.

"Sounds like a bunch of bullshit," Luke said as Tommy put his phone back into his pocket.

Luke and Tommy had their backs facing the unconscious cannibal. They continued to bicker and argue different points with each other.

"There are pictures online," Tommy argued as he reached back into his pocket to grab his phone. "Wanna see?"

Luke rolled his eyes and scoffed. He wasn't believing any of that horseshit.

"Like Donald Trump always said, it's all fake news!" Luke mentioned, "only published for the views and to spread fake rumors, fake stories, etc, etc. You get my point."

"I don't actually," Tommy responded.

SWOOSH! ROAR!

A shadow moved on the ground and the loud, deafening roar caught their attention. Even the girls were startled. Looking up into the starry night sky, they saw what was flying around. And no, it isn't a flying saucer or UFO.

"What the fuck is th–," Tommy was saying as he suddenly stopped talking.

CRUNCH! SNAP!

"Holy fuck!" He shouted loudly, looking at Tommy.

On his cheeks, were two gray hands. Upon looking back over his shoulder, it was the cannibal that was assumed dead. Tommy's neck had been snapped, his head looking over Luke. His eyes were bloodshot and lifeless. A trail of blood started trickling out of his nostrils, dripping down onto his lip, shirt, and even the ground and his shoes.

THUD!

Luke was so horrified that he booked it without hesitating. Mallory, Nala, and Vicky all looked over at him just as Tommy's body collapsed. They all gasped and flew back onto their feet. Nala and Mallory were standing, but Vicky was struggling to get up.

"See?" Nala said, "you're a pothead; a stoner even."

"Suck my ass," Vicky said as she flipped Nala off.

"Pass," Nala responded as she and Mallory grabbed one of Vicky's hands. Grunting and pulling, she almost stood up again. But then this happened…

CRUNCH! SPLAT!

There went Vicky. Mallory and Nala dropped their arms, slowly backing away; terrified. Looking directly up at it, he began sniffing and brushing his feet in the sand. Right, left. right, left. He began huffing and puffing.

His legs were covered in Vicky's blood, skull, and brain bits. Mallory and Nala's hands were bloody too and so were their clothes. Their short shorts, shirts, and so on. Nala reached into her mouth slowly and cautiously.

GAG!

Taking her hand out of her mouth, she held a huge chunk of Vicky's skull. It was even covered in her hair. They both covered their mouths and gaged. They even started heaving and hurling forward. The Cowman went charging forward but ran right past them. He clearly had his attention on Luke and the albino cannibal. They were in pursuit, with Luke being on the run. The Cowman continued running, eventually catching up to Luke and the cannibal.

"I'm gonna be sick," Nala said as she threw the chunk she had in her hand away from her.

Vicky's body lay on the sand face down. Her entire body, excluding her arms and legs, was crushed and flattened. Red footprints trailed off in the direction of where the Cowman was going. Her clothes were blood-stained, now barely identifiable.

"Me–," Mallory said as a faint stretching noise was heard, followed by her screaming helplessly. Nala stood back up, looking up into the sky. She watched as Mallory continued to get higher. Just overhead was the giant bird that resembled a black crow. From what she could make out, it has three heads conjoined.

AHH!

Down she comes, screaming and crying out. Her freefall only lasted seconds. Impacting the sandy ground headfirst, she had her neck and back snapped. Her legs curled over her head before she fell over onto her side. Blood trickled out of her nose, eyes, and ears. A rib had pierced through her skin and shirt, poking straight up.

Stitches was responsible for killing her. Now it was only her and Luke. Tommy, Vicky, and now Mallory, are all dead. Killed brutally by one of them.

"Fffuuuccckkk," she slurred. She didn't know what to do now. Run? Don't run? Hide? Don't hide?

Guess that article and warnings weren't a hoax, after all, it seems. But tonight would only be the beginning of what's to come in the following days, weeks, and months. But you're probably wondering where Matthew, Addison, and Meghan all came from, aren't you?

Well you see, that's where our story begins. It all starts on Matthew's yacht down in the engine room; where Joseph and Talen are being locked up. They have been since they were "saved" by Amanda. Last I recall, Amanda wasn't who she seemed to be at first. But like most members of the Cross Family, she had other devious plans in store.

The engine room had fallen silent after hours upon hours of constantly being run. The engine once hummed. The propellor shafts once continuously turned at a fast speed. But all the noise died down a short while ago.

Matthew was generous enough to leave the lights on, even providing them with light blankets and pillows. Seen as a monster serial murderer and demented, delusional man in Joseph and Talen's eyes, somewhere deep down he still had a sense of caring and generosity. This goes to show that he's not as bad as the media portrayed him to be.

The metal-hinged door remained closed and locked. Occasionally they'd hear someone or see someones shadow pass by in the hallway outside. As the hours continued to mount, it began feeling like days. With no sense of time, no windows to look outside, or even a clock, Joseph and Talen were almost entirely in the dark of what's happening, where they are, and if Matthew would ever come to finish what he intended do weeks ago.

Joseph and Talen are still wearing the clothing from the night they escaped the island…or so they thought so at least. Their hygiene was starting to plunge. Having not shaved, changed clothes, showered, or even eaten, they were in desperate need of a hygiene rebound.

"We need to find a way out of here," Talen argued as he paced back and forth, rubbing his chin and the back of his head. "We need a way off this fuckin' boat."

Joseph was sitting up against the wall in which their blankets were on the floor. He had his knees arched, resting his arms on his knee caps. He was picking his fingernails, cleaning out gunk thats built up from poor self-care.

Jospeh's attitude about the situation they're in changed upon being locked away. From being determined and motivated, now sits pissed off and careless. In response to Talen telling of what they need to do, he shrugged his shoulders.

"Hello, where's Talen?" Joseph said as he slouched his head forward slightly, raising both eyebrows in the process. "Fact check: we're in the middle of the ocean, on a boat belonging to a demented man, and are locked in the engine room. Care to explain how we'll get out and escape?"

"There's always a way," Talen responded, "but cut the shit, okay? You've been nothing short of a prick. I'm getting sick of it. What happened to staying optimistic?"

Joseph simply shrugged his shoulders and frowned.

SSSQQQUUUEEEAAAKKK! Click.

Talen turned around while Joseph looked up at the door. Pulling the door open, Stitches peaked out from behind it, looking down into engine room at them. Tilting his head slightly, he stared at them for a brief moment.

As the door sat open, athe oddly-satisfying smell of gasoline rushed into the room. That could only mean one thing…a fuel leak or worse. It was the second theory that Joseph and Talen had, that they ignored.

"Joseph, Talen," a man said through a speaker, "Mr. Cross has requested your presence in the Lounge. Again, Mr. Cross has requested your presence in Lounge. Stitches will escort you gentlemen to meet with Mr. Cross. Thank you."

The man then ended the announcement, terminating the line. ended as the phone the man used to talk, hung up.

"Fuck you; fuck all of you assholes. I hope you all die to cancer!" Joseph blurted out, talknig directly to Stitches. However hostile, Joseph got up off the floor, walking over to Talen. As they walked up the stairs, their eyes were purely focused on Stitches.

As much as they wanted to rage and attack Stitches, they knew they stood no chance against him. Lethal and deadly, he was the prized creation to Matthew. Only created after Jeremy, their friend, was slaughtered. His remains were then repurposed.

As Joseph walked past Stitches, Stitches suddenly slapped him. Totally unexpected, it pissed him off even more than he already was. Rubbing his cheek, he scoffed and turned around. With a faint smile on his face, he fliched like he was about to pursue Stitches. But he only did so to look intimidating.

"Do that again, I dare–," Joseph said.

SLAP!

Joseph chuckled slowly, grabbing his hand and squeezing it tight. "Test your luc–."

SLAP!

Stitches used his right hand to slap him, his left hand stuck in his grasp, he began repeatedly slapping him.

"You're push–,"

SLAP…SLAP! SLAP!

"That's it–,"

SLAP!

Stitches reacted to his sudden actions by delivering a knockout punch to his face. His strike was so immense, he broke Joseph's nose. SNAP! It began bleeding out through the nostrils, with his nose facing to one side. A small chunk of his bone pierced his skin; which was accompanied by more blood.

"You-re….dead!" Joseph shouted and cried out in pain. He backed up against the wall, holding his hand under his nose.

All Stitches did then, was punched him once again; this time on his left cheek. SNAP! And just like that, Joseph fell to the floor unconscious. Talen watached everything from a feet away. He had no words. He did, however, feel bad and guilty. Had this outcome differentiated if he'd stepped in and stopped it? Too late now.

Stitches picked his body up with ease, throwing him over his shoulder. Walking towards Talen, Talen turned around and began walking down the hallway once more. To their right, there was a flight of stairs leading up to another hallway; only this one was more narrow and slim.

As they made their way up to the lounge, faint sounds of moving water began to be heard. Back in the engine room, murky water began sneaking into the engine room itself. However, it was moving slow, it crept on until the entire floor was covered in it. What does this mean? Where's the water coming in from? And why is there a strong gasoline odor in the air? What do you think?