Then I heard it.
Not from the thing.
From the water.
A low, dragging sound, like something massive shifting beneath the surface far out at sea. The waves at the shore didn’t rise or fall naturally anymore—they hesitated, as if waiting for permission.
The creature’s tail moved again, stronger this time.
And for the first time, I noticed it wasn’t stranded.
It was pointing.
Not randomly.
Directly toward me.
