#writinng

Leonas wasn’t the brightest man in the community but he did know for a fact that the torches lighting the path before him in the cave was suspicious. Everyone had their own theories as to what they led to, but now he understood that his betrothed Thisbe had found the truth. Leonas followed her tracks through the sand, taking care to keep well enough away that she would not detect him. Leonas himself was a skilled hunter that was lauded by the village for his prowess. As such, a simple healer’s daughter would not escape his skillful gaze. Once he determined that his bride-to-be was acting far more disinterested and distant than she had after hearing of their engagement, which was something to be said of itself. Leonas waited for Thisbe to become careless and when he saw his chance, he pounced. He recognized that she resented their betrothal, but he did not care for her thoughts. His only concern was to ensure what belonged to him remained his. As he continued along, the ceiling expanded and the hunter could make out two voices over the sound of waves. He realized with great surprise that the cave must lead to a hidden cove. As quietly as a mouse, Leonas peaked his head around the corner and spied a small fire lit beside Thisbe. “What do you think you are doing with that thing?!” All of the frustration and anger from the sight of his woman embracing a monstrosity. The...thing was covered in multicolored scales from it’s midsection to the bottom of its tail and large gills covered the bosoms of the creature. If it weren’t so grotesque, Leonas might mistake it for a woman. He stalked towards the lovers with the animosity of a pack of wolves with fists shaking and teeth clenched. The monster grabbed Thisbe by her waist and pushed her into the water behind it. Before he could get too close, a spray of cold seawater drenched him thoroughly and stopped him in his tracks at once. “Your pathetic species are not welcome in this haven. My dearest detests you along with the rest of the ilk that allowed her freedom to be taken. I will ensure that she is safe and kept far away from the likes of you. Her happiness will not even waver for a moment and you and your village will never see beauty like hers in your pathetically short lives again.” The venom in the creature’s wispy voice was like none he had ever heard before and it startled him enough to take a few steps back. “Latine, give me the elixir to drink and then we can leave this place behind and be together.” The soft voice of Thisbe broke through the waves and ragged breathing. Leonas raised his sword to dispatch the ungodsly creature from this world when he fell onto his back gasping with a dagger protruding from his chest and Thisbe now standing over him with a wild look in her eyes. “I will not have you take Latine from me as you have everything else. I sincerely hope the afterlife exists and you live in the same Hell you made me endure for an eternity.” She heaved a heavy breath and took a step back from her work to turn to her love. Leonas’ blood stained the sand and water as Latine held a seashell up to Thisbe’s lips and had her drink the sickly liquid held inside. After finishing the elixir, the couple shared a quick and passionate kiss as a soft glow surrounded Thisbe. Without hesitation or a glance back, Thisbe allowed Latine to lead her under the depths below to live together away from the monsters above the waters. The village never found Leonas’ body and assumed that he had probably met his end in a terrible hunting expedition. To save himself from rumors or disgrace, Thisbe’s father claimed that his daughter was so distraught over the death of her bridegroom that she took her own life. Only her love and herself would ever know the truth. To this day the villagers say that on particularly foggy nights you can hear the raging screams of a mysterious man though none know the origin.