The Lomis

Chapter One

Eight figures sat hunched in their rocky underwater hideout, arguing with one another as to whether they should press on with their journey or rest. The devastation they had wrought on the land above was pleasing to say the least; despite the toll it took on their deformed bodies. Not a single living thing remained on the island above, the earthquake had seen to that, and after listening intently for several minutes they seemed satisfied with their efforts. Without rest they wouldn't cover a great deal of distance but if they were to stay there was a good chance they could be trapped in their hideout. It was only a matter of time before any number of the aquatic tunnels collapsed in the aftermath of the quake but none had the strength left to sense where and when with enough time to get the whole gang to safety.

They were huddled together rather uncomfortably in the crevices of a dead end tunnel and despite their aches and pains; all eventually agreed they were more anxious to leave than wait any longer. There hadn't been any need for an argument but it was in their nature. The tunnel was so low they had to bend double to avoid getting poked prodded and bumped, the surfaces on all sides were jagged enough to draw blood. Not ideal quarters for beasts with such vicious tempers. As the last few jets of adrenaline coursed through their blackened veins giving them strength to move, they rearranged themselves into a line and started off, keeping one eye on the sediment falling in stream-lets from the roof.

The creature at the front shuffled his way through the inky darkness, already grunting with the effort, his senses alert for signs of movement or threat in the vicinity. The passage narrowed for some time making progress frustratingly slow and soon their shoulders and arms were covered in scratches from the boulders lining the walls. Unable to control their emotions for more than a minute they became more and more aggravated with each bump or scrape causing the water around them to bubble and fizz, thus making the whole situation even more uncomfortable for themselves.

Eventually the tunnel widened, giving them the opportunity to stand upright and stretch their aching backs. The beast at the front signalled for everyone to stop. They had reached a split in the tunnel. After a few moments’ consideration he settled on the right fork and beckoned for them to follow. The procession moved off slowly once more, the creature at the back warily glancing behind him for signs of falling debris. After a few hours they emerged into a larger cave-like opening with plenty of corners and crevices and only three tunnel entrances to choose from. Instantly they began to quarrel; half wanted to keep going whilst the rest wanted to stop and get some well earned shut-eye. The beast leading them roared with distaste at their petty squabbling and ordered them to sit down and shut up.

Two were placed on sentry duty whilst the others squirmed and fidgeted to find a position comfortable enough in which to fall asleep. Most simply chose the floor, which offered more comfort than the rocks littered about and at least gave them the opportunity to lie flat for a while. The creature in charge woke after a few hours and relieved one of the lookouts. He sat picking his yellow pointed teeth thoughtfully in the gloom, still on the alert for anything heading in their direction, but also planning their next move with determined pleasure. The minutes rolled into hours until suddenly, out of nowhere, he sensed something.

‘Do you feel that?’ He rasped to the creature beside him, pulling himself upright against the boulder he was lounging on.

‘Hrmph? No…What?’ He replied cocking his head to one side.

‘Hard to explain...like a faint buzzing...coming from that direction.’ He grunted, pointing down one of the tunnels.

‘How far away?’ The other one asked, a little bemused.

‘Hard to say… Six, maybe seven days travel. Getting stronger too.’ He grinned evilly in the darkness at the thought. He was almost sure it was what he had been searching for. The other creature grunted noncommittally and turned to one of the sleeping forms to his left, jabbing a muscled black thigh to rouse him.

‘Wake up, it’s your turn.’ He growled, lying down before anyone had the chance to challenge him.

Confident they were in no danger of being ambushed the leader waved a hand at the sleepy form trying to sit up, who flopped back down gratefully, and reclined against his boulder once more. Scanning his men, he frowned. They would sleep well into the day if he let them, but they were making good progress and he wanted to get moving as quickly as possible. So he contented himself with plotting their next attack as he rested rather than slept and kept a watchful eye on his men in the gloom.