The Summer Of The Shark Novels & Stories

For the first time, a wave of nausea hit me. I spent an entire half hour vomiting in the bathroom. Later, I learned Summer was preparing to go abroad, yet still couldn’t let go of Shawn. She came to ask him if he’d wait for her return, only to be met with the flicker of disgust in his eyes. Heartbroken, she covered her face and turned to walk away. Yet again, she was struck by an oncoming vehicle. This time around, because she was grounded by her mother, Summer had long since missed the timing when those street thugs would harass her.

The sun had 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 last saw them a few minutes ago with Captain Salazar. He felt agitated as he remembered the many stories and myths that revolved around these creatures. The closest encounter he had had with sharks before was when he went to an Aquatic Adventure theme park with Lisa a year ago. Before that, his knowledge of sharks were mostly from the movies he watched. Lisa had always been the expert on these things, Jon thought, as he tried to recall t

As I struggled to swim upward, I felt a powerful force dragging my hands downward, pulling me deeper into the water. The shark had somehow unfrozen itself. I wondered how it was possible but was grateful that I had worn a long-sleeved shirt, so it clung to my clothes instead of my skin. I raised my hand to freeze it once more and resumed swimming upward. The shark unfroze itself again, attempting to attack my other leg, but I evaded its grasp and continued my ascent. I was on the brink of losing all my breath. The shark accelerated, coming face to face with me, its red, menacing eyes locked onto mine. Its spikes began to emerge as I gasped for air.

“Answer the question! You bribed the local fishermen to keep quiet and locked her in that shark. Do you understand that’s premeditated murder? “Now tell us: why did you force Jane into the shark?” Craig’s expression twisted. He only caught part of what was said. “What? I’ve never bribed any fishermen!” The officers wasted no time in laying out the evidence. “These men have all confessed, and look at this footage. It was taken from the beach a month ago. Some tourists had set up a camera to film a time-lapse.” What showed up in that footage stunned Craig. It turned out someone had been camped out near the beach a month ago, trying to capture a time-lapse of the ocean. They’d left their camera

It always feels like this small town of mine knows when it’s about to be the first day of summer, and I can't help but wonder, what now? What is next? Hhhph?... Watercolor loves adventure. children on bikes with ice cream dripping from their palms? New lovers and summer flings, kissing behind abandoned storage units and big, thousand-year-old rocks on the beach? Lost shoes after midnight benders and candy flipping, innocence washed away with the waves, never to be retrieved again...the list can go on for days, seventy-seven days to be exact. Maybe...just maybe. I wonder what this summer is going to be like with a killer on the loose.

I shake my head but he gives me a nod “M-my f-favourite a-animal is a shark” I see him grinning but I don’t understand why “What kind of shark? Come on Olivia focus on me” – he says “White shark” – I say while I hold his fingers between mine one at a time. “Good, keep playing with my fingers” I nod “So, tell me what your favourite colour is?” “Blue, sky blue, like your eyes” – I say and regret immediately, Stupid, stupid.

I assure him. We fell into a comfortable silence afterwards. I look outside. A little more while, a droplet falls down the window. “Oh,” I let out a sound. Another falls, and another, then followed by another. The rain fell heavily and my heart felt so heavy but relieved at the same time. ‘Summer must’ve reached its early ending by the end of the month.’ I smile at the thought. The car takes a turn to the parking lot of a food chain. I look at Dan, “may payong ka bang dala?” I ask him and he stares back at me. “Wala” he plainly replies to me while we both stare at each other in disbelief before laughing.

I took a couple of pictures of us, dance with Kal on my arms as I planted a kiss on his forehead. We headed home and I went inside my room to change and took a long bath. That night my parents went in my room when I was about to sleep. We talk about the deal and that I should prepare for Mr. Cold-foot, I mean Mr. Cole Ford will be coming any day this week. I sighed as they took their leave. I guess my freedom ends as summer starts. Summer, it’s like my favorite of all the seasons but at the same time I hate it.... •••

Her questions tumble out like a waterfall, quick and unstoppable, her face alive with wonder. For a moment, I hesitate. My throat tightens because the images return too quickly, blood spreading like a cloud beneath the water, Owen’s screams echoing across the deck, the flick of a fin cutting the surface before everything was dragged below. To me, the sharks are not magic or adventure. They are death, sharp and merciless. But I look down at Connor and Carmen, their eager faces waiting, and I know I cannot give them that truth. Not yet. Not ever, if I can help it.

I whispered through clenched teeth, “forgive this shameless, sinful creature.” I curled up under the covers, trying to disappear into the mattress, trying to will away the memory of how he kissed me, how I kissed him back. I shouldn’t have let it happen. I was the older one. I should’ve known better. I should’ve stopped him. I should’ve pushed him away, walked back inside and told him it was wrong. But I didn’t. Because I wanted it. And that makes it worse. Now I’m drowning in shame. How do I even look him in the eye again? Maybe I should just go back to Manila. Pack up and leave this crazy summer behind before things get worse—before I do something even more stupid.