I had a bad feeling about this fishing trip ever since we left the port. Now, as we're caught in the middle of a raging storm unlike anything I've ever seen, I fear that maybe there's truth to the tales about these waters.
I'm but a simple young sailor, strapped for cash and with nothing to my name but the clothes on my back. Ever since I lost my previous job, I've been forced to make a living out of the odd job here and there, but it's never enough. I desperately needed to find a decent work, get employed into a proper ship and set sail to the seas. That's the reason why when Captain MacLeod came into my town wanting to hire help for his fishing boat, I jumped at the opportunity.
Now I curse myself for my recklessness, because I didn't ask, and he didn't tell me that we were heading to the dangerous Scottish coast, in a region where many a sailor had perished, and I'd heard the stories told about dark creatures lurking in the murky depths. At the last port before setting sail for our destination, the locals had warned us not to venture into these waters, saying they were haunted by the fey. They said we should respect the sea and its creatures, and not disturb their domain, for the kelpies were fierce protectors of nature.
But the captain didn't listen. He was greedy and stubborn, and he wanted to catch as many fish as he could. He said the kelpies were just superstitions, and that we had nothing to fear. Now, I'm not so sure.
The storm came out of nowhere, darkening the sky and whipping the waves into a frenzy. The boat rocked and creaked, and I clung to the railing for dear life. The wind howled, the rain lashed, and the waves crashed against our small vessel. I was on deck, trying to keep my balance, when I saw what I thought was a flash of movement in the water. I could swear it was something that looked like a horse, black as the night, and with a long mane that trailed behind it like seaweed.
"Captain!" I shouted. "There's something in the water!"
He came to my side and peered over the railing. He frowned and shook his head.
"Bah, just some big fish, lad, they get antsy in weather like this. Don't let the rain spook you, I've been in worse storms!"
"Captain, please, something feels off about this, we have to get away from here!" I pleaded. "The locals warned us not to fish here! They said these waters are sacred!"
He laughed and slapped me on the back.
"Ah, don't be a coward, lad. Them's just legends, fairy tales to scare children. We're not here to listen to superstitions. We're here to catch fish. And this is where the fish are."
He said while starting to hoist up the nets, grinning as he pointed to them, as they were full of wriggling silver shapes.
"See? We've hit the jackpot! This is our lucky day! Help me pull up the net, boy! Let's haul in our catch!"
Then I heard it. A loud splash, followed by a neighing sound that chilled my blood. I looked over the side and saw a huge black creature emerge from the water, its eyes glowing red and its mane dripping wet. The kelpie looked like a cross between a horse and a shark, its legs tipped by wide, fin-like hooves, and with a large finned tail.
It reared up and slammed against the boat, causing the entire vessel to rock and making me fall to my knees.
Unbelievable, the tales, they really were true... I knew it, this didn't feel right...!
I exchange a frantic glance with the captain, but the wizened sailor grunts and swears, reaching to grab a harpoon and yelling something about not being scared and that this would make for a fine catch. Before I could even regain my footing on the slippery deck, he threw the projectile with all his strength, but the kelpie was faster. It snorted and lunged at him, biting into his arm and dragging him overboard.
"Captain!" I screamed, reaching for him. But it was too late. He was gone, swallowed by the sea.
I was now alone on the boat, with no hope of rescue. The storm raged on, and I knew it was only a matter of time before the kelpie came back for me.