The Lure

The winter storm that pounded the Eastern Seaboard brought more than just freezing rain and harsh winds. Under cover of the storm, two of the Ancient Fishermen glided in on huge leathery wings. They landed on the roof of a building in downtown New York City. While the storm raged, the two began to set up their gear.

The elder spoke. His triangular mouth was lined with rows of sharp teeth. His voice was deep and guttural, punctuated by pops and hisses and deep gurgling noises as he spoke the ancient language.

“Too long, brudder,” the elder said. “Too long since we last fished. I long for sustenance.”

“Aye, too long, brudder,” the younger said. I have heard that the prey has grown soft and tender since we last fished.”

“No matter if they are runts,” the elder replied. “Many of the small catch will fill the belly well. Prepare your lines and your bait. I can feel a successful catch.”

“I have a plasma line,” the younger said. “The prey are unable to see it, their eyes are not evolved enough.”

“That is a fine line,” the elder said. “I also use the plasma line. Also I use these.” He held up a thumb and forefinger. Pinched between two large pointed claws was a small bone-like object.

“It is an ancient charm. It lures by appearing to be an object of the prey’s desire. I have extra for you to use if you choose.”

“It is a fine lure,” the younger said. “I will catch much prey and my belly will be full. Praise be to the Mog.”

They strung lures on their lines and waited for the storm to blow over. At last, the skies cleared. The sun was almost to the horizon. When the light faded and the city lit up, they looked over the edge of the roof to the street twenty stories below them. 

***

Rory smiled at his good luck. The storm had discouraged people from venturing out and there were only about thirty people in line ahead of him. He was last in line so far, but soon the line would grow down the sidewalk and around the building.

Ahead of him in line were a girl and her boyfriend. Rory introduced himself and found out that the girl’s name was Meagan and her boyfriend was Mark. Rory chatted with them about the storm and their anticipation. At midnight would be the launch of the newest electronic gadget that they just had to have; the ZFone model X. It was exactly the same as last year’s model, only it had a slightly larger case, and none of the old accessories worked with it.

As the sun set and the shadows grew long, the temperature dropped. Rory shifted from foot to foot as the wind picked up.

“Hey, maybe they’ll be nice and let us in early.” He said. “Don’t know why they have to make us wait till midnight.”

Rory felt a growing need to relieve himself. He asked Meagan if she could hold his place in line. He walked to the side of the building and found a spot in the shadows. As he finished and was zipping up, the glint of a shiny object caught his eye. There was what appeared to be a lost phone lying on the ground. He picked it up and was surprised at what he had found. It was a brand new model X. How could this be? Maybe a salesman had come out to use this very spot and dropped his new phone? He was baffled.

Rory touched the screen and it lit up. He was amazed that he was actually holding an as-yet unreleased device. What luck. The others in line would be so jealous. He touched the screen and dialed the number of his own phone and laughed as he heard it ring in his pocket. This is too much, he thought.

He put the phone to his head. He thought it would be amusing to leave a message on his own voice mail. He heard static.

Suddenly a spike erupted from the phone and pierced his skull at his temple. The spike exited through his eye socket. He stood stunned for a split second and then he screamed. His scream was cut short as he was yanked up off the ground. Up into the dark shadows he rose, twisting and clutching at the object of his pain. As he approached the rooftop, he saw two pairs of glowing red eyes looking down at him.

***

The elder looked at the small catch writhing on the rooftop.

“It’s small. No matter, we will catch many.” He picked up the catch, put the man’s head into his mouth, and bit it off. Blood sprayed across the rooftop and he offered the rest to the younger.

“Eat,” he said. ‘It’s tender. We can fill our bellies here and be off to other fishing spots.”

On the sidewalk below, Meagan and Mark wondered where Rory had gone. More people were lining up and soon it would be difficult to hold his spot.

“He should be right back,” she said. “He said he’d just be a minute.” She looked around, curious. “Hey, look at this,” she said reaching down and retrieving something off the ground. “Someone lost their phone.”

She held it out for Mark to see and his eyes went wide.

“Holy crap! That’s a new model X,” he exclaimed. “Let me see it.” He touched the screen and it lit up. He dialed a number and put it to his head.

“Hey!” a young woman ahead in line said. “Look at this!” She picked up a shiny object from the ground. Another person shouted out his surprise at finding a new phone. Then another. 

© 2015 Shock Armstrong @theaterofscifi