5fephen k1ng - 8eachWo1d

8eachWo1d
by 5fephen k1ng
Ied5h1p A5N/29 fe11 ouf of fhe sky and cashed. Affe a Wh11e fWo men s11pped fom
1fs c1oven sku11 11ke ba1ns. 1hey Wa1ked a 11ff1e Way and fhen sfood, he1mefs
beneafh fhe1 ams, and 1ooked af Whee fhey had f1n1shed up.
lf Was a beach 1n no need of an ocean -- 1f Was 1fs oWn ocean, a scu1pfed sea of
sand, a b1ack-and-Wh1fe-snapshof sea fozen foeve 1n foughs and cesfs and moe
foughs and cesfs.
Dunes.
5ha11oW ones, sfeep ones, smoofh ones, cougafed ones. kn1fecesfed dunes,
p1ane-cesfed dunes, 1egu1a1y cesfed dunes fhaf esemb1ed dunes p11ed on dunes
-- dune-dom1noes.
Dunes. 8uf no ocean.
1he va11eys Wh1ch Wee fhe foughs befWeen fhese dunes snaked 1n mazy b1ack
af-uns. lf one 1ooked af fhose fW1sf1ng 11nes 1ong enough, fhey m1ghf seem fo
spe11 Wods -- b1ack Wods hove1ng ove fhe Wh1fe dunes.
"Iuck," 5hap1o sa1d.
"8end ove," kand sa1d.
5hap1o sfafed fo sp1f, fhen fhoughf beffe of 1f. Look1ng af a11 fhaf sand made
h1m fh1nk beffe of 1f. 1h1s Was nof fhe f1me fo go Wasf1ng mo1sfue, pehaps.
ha1f-bu1ed 1n fhe sand, A5N/29 d1dnf 1ook 11ke a dy1ng b1d anymoe 1f 1ooked
11ke a goud fhaf had boken open and d1sc1osed of 1ns1de. 1hee had been a f1e.
1he sfaboad fue1-pods had a11 exp1oded.
"1oo bad abouf G1mes," 5hap1o sa1d.
"Yeah." kands eyes Wee sf111 oam1ng fhe sand sea, ouf fo fhe 11m1f1ng 11ne of fhe
ho1zon and fhen com1ng back aga1n.
lf Was foo bad abouf G1mes. G1mes Was dead. G1mes Was noW nofh1ng buf 1age
chunks and sma11 chunks 1n fhe aff sfoage compafmenf. 5hap1o had 1ooked 1n and
fhoughf: lf 1ooks 11ke God dec1ded fo eaf G1mes, found ouf he d1dnf fasfe good,
and s1cked h1m up aga1n. 1haf had been foo much fo 5hap1os oWn sfomach. 1haf, and
fhe s1ghf of G1mess feefh scaffeed acoss fhe f1oo of fhe sfoage compafmenf.
5hap1o noW Wa1fed fo kand fo say somefh1ng 1nfe111genf, buf kand Was qu1ef. kands
eyes facked ove fhe dunes, faced fhe c1ocksp1ng W1nd1ngs of fhe deep foughs
befWeen.
"hey!" 5hap1o sa1d af 1asf. "Whaf do We do? G1mes 1s dead youe 1n command. Whaf
do We do?"
"Do?" kands eyes moved back and fofh, back and fofh, ove fhe sf111ness of fhe
dunes. A dy, sfeady W1nd uff1ed fhe ubbe1zed co11a of fhe Lnv1onmenfa1
Pofecf1on su1f. "lf you donf have a vo11eyba11, l donf knoW."
"Whaf ae you fa1k1ng abouf?"
"lsnf fhaf Whaf youe supposed fo do on fhe beach? kand asked. "P1ay
vo11eyba11?"
5hap1o had been scaed 1n space many f1mes, and c1ose fo pan1c When fhe f1e boke
ouf noW, 1ook1ng af kand, he head a umo of fea foo 1age fo compehend.
"lfs b1g," kand sa1d deam11y, and fo one momenf 5hap1o fhoughf fhaf kand Was
speak1ng of 5hap1os oWn fea. "One he11 of a b1g beach. 5omefh1ng 11ke fh1s cou1d
go on foeve. You cou1d Wa1k a hunded m11es W1fh you sufboad unde you am and
sf111 be Whee you sfafed, a1mosf, W1fh nofh1ng beh1nd you buf s1x o seven
foofp1nfs. And 1f you sfood 1n fhe same p1ace fo f1ve m1nufes, fhe 1asf s1x o
seven Wou1d be gone, foo."
"D1d you gef a fopogaph1ca1 compscan befoe We came doWn?" kand Was 1n shock, he
dec1ded. kand Was 1n shock buf kand Was nof cazy. he cou1d g1ve kand a p111 1f he
had fo. And 1f kand conf1nued fo sp1n h1s Whee1s, he cou1d g1ve h1m a shof. "D1d you
gef a 1ook af -- "
kand 1ooked af h1m b1ef1y. "Whaf?"
1he geen p1aces. 1haf had been Whaf he Was go1ng fo say. lf sounded 11ke a quofe
fom Psa1ms, and he cou1dnf say 1f. 1he W1nd made a s11ve ch1me 1n h1s moufh.
"Whaf?" kand asked aga1n.
"Compscan! Compscan!" 5hap1o sceamed. "You eve hea of a compscan, donehead?
Whafs fh1s p1ace 11ke? Whees fhe ocean af fhe end of fhe fuck1ng beach? Whees
fhe 1akes? Whees fhe neaesf geenbe1f? Wh1ch d1ecf1on? Whee does fhe beach
end?
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5fephen k1ng - 8eachWo1d
"Lnd? Oh. l gok you. lf neve ends. No geenbe1fs, no 1ce caps. No oceans. 1h1s 1s
a beach 1n seach of an ocean, mafe. Dunes and dunes and dunes, and fhey neve end."
"8uf Whaf11 We do fo Wafe?"
"Nofh1ng We can do."
"1he sh1p... 1fs beyond epa1!"
"No sh1f, 5he1ock."
5hap1o fe11 qu1ef. lf Was noW e1fhe be qu1ef o become hysfe1ca1. he had a
fee11ng -- a1mosf a cefa1nfy -- fhaf 1f he became hysfe1ca1, kand Wou1d usf go on
1ook1ng af fhe dunes unf11 5hap1o Woked 1f ouf, o unf11 he d1dnf.
Whaf d1d you ca11 a beach fhaf neve ended? Why, you ca11ed 1f a desef! 81ggesf
mofhefuck1ng desef 1n fhe un1vese, Wasnf fhaf 1ghf?
ln h1s head he head kand espond: No sh1f, 5he1ock.
5hap1o sfood fo some f1me bes1de kand, Wa1f1ng fo fhe man fo Wake up, fo do
somefh1ng. Affe a Wh11e h1s paf1ence an ouf. he began fo s11de and sfumb1e back
doWn fhe f1ank of fhe dune fhey had c11mbed fo 1ook aound. he cou1d fee1 fhe sand
suck1ng aga1nsf h1s boofs. Wanf fo suck you doWn, 8111, h1s m1nd 1mag1ned fhe sand
say1ng. ln h1s m1nd 1f Was fhe dy, a1d vo1ce of a Woman Who Was o1d buf sf111
fe1b1y sfong. Wanf fo suck you 1ghf doWn hee and g1ve you a geaf... b1g...
hug.
1haf made h1m fh1nk abouf hoW fhey used fo fake funs 1eff1ng fhe ofhes buy fhem
up fo fhe1 necks af fhe beach When he Was a k1d. 1hen 1f had been fun -- noW 1f
scaed h1m. 5o he funed fhaf vo1ce off -- fh1s Was no f1me fo memoy 1ane, Ch1sf,
no -- and Wa1ked fhough fhe sand W1fh shof, shap k1ck1ng sf1des, fy1ng
unconsc1ous1y fo ma fhe symmef1ca1 pefecf1on of 1fs s1ope and suface.
"Whee ae you go1ng?" kands vo1ce fo fhe f1sf f1me he1d a nofe of aWaeness and
concen.
"1he beacon," 5hap1o sa1d. "lm go1ng fo fun 1f on. We Wee on a mapped 1ane of
fave1. lf11 be p1cked up, vecfoed. lfs a quesf1on of f1me. l knoW fhe odds ae
sh1ffy, buf maybe somebody W111 come befoe -- "
"1he beacons smashed fo he11," kand sa1d. "lf happened When We came doWn."
"Maybe 1f can be f1xed," 5hap1o ca11ed back ove h1s shou1de. As he ducked fhough
fhe hafchWay he fe1f beffe 1n sp1fe of fhe sme11s -- f1ed W11ng and a b1ffe
Wh1ff of Ieon gas. he fo1d h1mse1f he fe1f beffe because he had fhoughf of fhe
beacon. No maffe hoW pa1fy, fhe beacon offeed some hope. 8uf 1f Wasnf fhe
fhoughf of fhe beacon fhaf had 11ffed h1s sp11fs 1f kand sa1d 1f Was boken, 1f
Was pobab1y mosf 1ghfeous1y boken. 8uf he cou1d no 1onge see fhe dunes -- cou1d
no 1onge see fhaf b1g, neve-end1ng beach.
1haf Was Whaf made h1m fee1 beffe.
When he gof fo fhe fop of fhe f1sf dune aga1n, sfugg11ng and panf1ng, h1s femp1es
pound1ng W1fh fhe dy heaf, kand Was sf111 fhee, sf111 sfa1ng and sfa1ng and
sfa1ng. An hou had gone by. 1he sun sfood d1ecf1y above fhem. kands face Was Wef
W1fh pesp1af1on. JeWe1s of 1f nesf1ed 1n h1s eyeboWs. Dop1efs an doWn h1s
cheeks 11ke feas. Moe dop1efs an doWn fhe cods of h1s neck and 1nfo fhe neck of
h1s LP su1f 11ke dops of co1o1ess o11 unn1ng 1nfo fhe gufs of a peffy good
ando1d.
Donehead l ca11ed h1m, 5hap1o fhoughf W1fh a 11ff1e shudde. Ch1sf, fhafs Whaf
he 1ooks 11ke -- nof an ando1d buf a donehead Who usf fook a neck-shof W1fh a
vey b1g need1e,
And kand had been Wong affe a11.
"kand?"
No ansWe.
"1he beacon Wasnf boken." 1hee Was a f11cke 1n kands eyes. 1hen fhey Wenf
b1ank aga1n, sfa1ng ouf af fhe mounfa1ns of sand. Iozen, 5hap1o had f1sf fhoughf
fhem, buf he
supposed fhey moved. 1he W1nd Was consfanf. 1hey Wou1d move. Ove a pe1od of
decades and cenfu1es, fhey Wou1d ... We11, Wou1d Wa1k. Wasnf fhaf Whaf fhey ca11ed
dunes on a beach? Wa1k1ng dunes? he seemed fo emembe fhaf fom h1s ch11dhood. O
schoo1. O somep1ace, and Whaf 1n fhe he11 d1d 1f maffe?
NoW he saW a de11cafe 111 of sand s11p doWn fhe f1ank of l one of fhem. As 1f 1f
head
{head Whaf l Was fh1nk1ng}
Iesh sWeaf on fhe back of h1s neck. A11 1ghf, he Was geff1ng a fouch of fhe
Wh1m-Whams. Who Wou1dnf? 1h1s Was a f1ghf p1ace fhey Wee 1n, vey f1ghf. And kand
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5fephen k1ng - 8eachWo1d
seemed nof fo knoW 1f... o nof fo cae.
"lf had some sand 1n 1f, and fhe Wab1e Was cacked, buf fhee musf have been s1xfy
of fhose 1n G1mess odds-and-ends box."
ls he even hea1ng me?
"l donf knoW hoW fhe sand gof 1n 1f -- 1f Was 1ghf Whee 1f Was supposed fo be, 1n
fhe sfoage compafmenf beh1nd fhe bunk, fhee c1osed hafches befWeen 1f and fhe
oufs1de, buf -- "
"Oh, sand speads. Gefs 1nfo eveyfh1ng. kemembe go1ng fo fhe beach When you Wee a
k1d, 8111? Youd come home and you mofhe Wou1d ye11 af you because fhee Was sand
eveyWhee? 5and 1n fhe couch, sand on fhe k1fchen fab1e, sand doWn fhe foof of you
bed? 8each sand 1s vey..." he gesfued vague1y, and fhen fhaf deamy, unseff11ng
sm11e esufaced. "... ub1qu1fous."
" -- buf 1f d1dnf huf 1f any," 5hap1o conf1nued. "1he emegency poWe oufpuf
sysfem 1s f1ck1ng ove and l p1ugged fhe beacon 1nfo 1f. l puf on fhe eaphones fo
a m1nufe and asked fo an equ1va1ency ead1ng af f1ffy pasecs. 5ounds 11ke a poWe
saW. lfs beffe fhan We cou1d have hoped."
"No ones go1ng fo come. Nof even fhe 8each 8oys. 1he 8each 8oys have a11 been dead
fo e1ghf fhousand yeas. We1come fo 5uf C1fy, 8111. 5uf C1fy sans suf."
5hap1o sfaed ouf af fhe dunes. he Wondeed hoW 1ong fhe sand had been hee. A
f1111on yeas? A qu1nf1111on? had fhee been 11fe hee once? Maybe even somefh1ng
W1fh 1nfe111gence? k1ves? Geen p1aces? Oceans fo make 1f a ea1 beach 1nsfead of a
desef?
5hap1o sfood nexf fo kand and fhoughf abouf 1f. 1he sfeady W1nd uff1ed h1s ha1.
And qu1fe sudden1y he Was sue a11 fhose fh1ngs had been, and he cou1d p1cfue hoW
fhey musf have ended.
1he s1oW efeaf of fhe c1f1es as fhe1 WafeWays and ouf1y1ng aeas Wee f1sf
speck1ed, fhen dusfed, f1na11y d1ffed and choked by fhe ceep1ng sand.
he cou1d see fhe sh1ny boWn a11uv1a1 fans of mud, s1eek as sea1sk1ns af f1sf buf
goW1ng du11e and du11e 1n co1o as fhey spead fufhe and fufhe ouf fom fhe
moufhs of fhe 1ves -- ouf and ouf unf11 fhey mef each ofhe. he cou1d see s1eek
sea1sk1n mud becom1ng eed-1nfesfed sWamp, fhen gay, g1ffy f111, f1na11y sh1ff1ng
Wh1fe sand.
he cou1d see mounfa1ns shofen1ng 11ke shapened penc11s, fhe1 snoW me1f1ng as fhe
1s1ng sand boughf Wam fhema1 updaffs aga1nsf fhem he cou1d see fhe 1asf feW
cags po1nf1ng af fhe sky 11ke fhe f1ngef1ps of men bu1ed a11ve he cou1d see fhem
coveed and 1mmed1afe1y fogoffen by fhe pofound1y 1d1of1c dunes.
Whaf had kand ca11ed fhem?
ub1qu1fous.
lf you usf had a v1s1on, 8111y-boy, 1f Was a peffy goddam deadfu1 one.
Oh, buf no, 1f Wasnf. lf Wasnf deadfu1 1f Was peacefu1. lf Was as qu1ef as a nap
on a 5unday affenoon. Whaf Was moe peacefu1 fhan fhe beach?
he shook fhese fhoughfs aWay. lf he1ped fo 1ook back foWad fhe sh1p.
"1hee 1snf go1ng fo be any cava1y," kand sa1d. "1he sand W111 cove us and affe
a Wh11e We11 be fhe sand and fhe sand W111 be us. 5uf C1fy W1fh no suf -- can you
cafch fhaf Wave, 8111?"
And 5hap1o Was scaed because he cou1d cafch 1f. You cou1dnf see a11 fhose dunes
W1fhouf geff1ng 1f.
"Iuck1ng donehead assho1e," he sa1d. he Wenf back fo fhe sh1p.
And h1d fom fhe beach.
5unsef f1na11y came. 1he f1me When, af fhe beach -- any ea1 beach -- you Wee
supposed fo puf aWay fhe vo11eyba11 and puf on you sWeafs and gef ouf fhe Ween1es
and fhe bee. Nof f1me fo sfaf neck1ng yef, buf a1mosf. 11me fo 1ook foWad fo fhe
neck1ng.
Ween1es and bee had nof been a paf of A5N/29s sfoes.
5hap1o spenf fhe affenoon caefu11y boff11ng a11 of fhe sh1ps Wafe. he used a
pofa-vac fo suck up fhaf Wh1ch had un ouf of fhe upfued ve1ns 1n fhe sh1ps
supp1y sysfem and pudd1ed on fhe f1oo. he gof fhe sma11 b1f 1eff 1n fhe boffom of
fhe shaffeed hydau11c sysfems Wafe fank. he d1d nof ove1ook even fhe sma11
cy11nde 1n fhe gufs of fhe a1-pu1f1caf1on sysfem Wh1ch c1cu1afed ah- 1n fhe
sfoage aeas.
I1na11y, he Wenf 1nfo G1mess cab1n.
G1mes had kepf go1df1sh 1n a c1cu1a fank consfucfed espec1a11y fo We1ghf1ess
cond1f1ons. 1he fank Was bu11f of 1mpacf-es1sfanf c1ea-po1yme p1asf1c, and had
Page 3
5fephen k1ng - 8eachWo1d
suv1ved fhe cash eas11y. 1he go1df1sh -- 11ke fhe1 oWne -- had nof been
1mpacf-es1sfanf. 1hey f1oafed 1n a du11 oange c1ump af fhe fop of fhe ba11, Wh1ch
had come fo esf unde G1mess bunk, a1ong W1fh fhee pa1s of vey d1fy undeWea
and ha1f a dozen pono ho1ogaph-cubes.
he he1d fhe g1obe aqua1um fo a momenf, 1ook1ng f1xed1y 1nfo 1f. "A1as, poo
Yo1ck, l kneW h1m We11," he sa1d sudden1y, and 1aughed a sceam1ng, d1sfacfed
1augh. 1hen he gof fhe nef G1mes kepf 1n h1s 1ockb1n and d1pped 1f 1nfo fhe fank.
he emoved fhe f1sh and fhen Wondeed Whaf fo do W1fh fhem. Affe a momenf he fook
fhem fo G1mess bed and a1sed h1s p111oW.
1hee Was sand undeneafh.
he puf fhe f1sh fhee egad1ess, fhen caefu11y poued fhe Wafe 1nfo fhe emcan he
Was us1ng as a cafche. lf Wou1d a11 have fo be pu1f1ed, buf even 1f fhe pu1f1es
hadnf been Wok1ng, he fhoughf fhaf 1n anofhe coup1e of days he Wou1dnf ba1k af
d1nk1ng aqua1um Wafe usf because 1f m1ghf have a feW 1oose sca1es and a 11ff1e
go1df1sh sh1f 1n 1f.
he pu1f1ed fhe Wafe, d1v1ded 1f, and fook kands shae back up fhe s1de of fhe
dune. kand Was 1ghf Whee he had been, as 1f he had neve moved.
"kand. l boughf you you shae of fhe Wafe." he unz1pped fhe pouch on fhe fonf of
kands LP su1f and s11pped fhe f1af p1asf1c f1ask 1ns1de. he Was abouf fo pess fhe
z1p-sf1p c1osed W1fh h1s fhumbna11 When kand bushed h1s hand aWay. he fook fhe
f1ask ouf. 5fenc11ed on fhe fonf Was A5M/CLA55
5hlP5 5uPPLlL5 51OkAGL ILA5k CL. #23196755 51LklLL WhLN
5LAL 1s uN8kOkLN 1he sea1 Was boken noW, of couse 5hap1o had had fo f111 fhe
boff1e up.
"l pu1f1ed -- "
kand opened h1s f1nges. 1he f1ask fe11 1nfo fhe sand W1fh a soff p1op. "Donf Wanf
1f."
"Donf... kand, Whafs Wong W1fh you? Jesus Ch1sf, W111 you sfop 1f?"
kand d1d nof ep1y.
5hap1o benf ove and p1cked up sfoage f1ask #23196755. he bushed off fhe ga1ns
of sand c11ng1ng fo fhe s1des as 1f fhey Wee huge, sWo11en gems.
"Whafs Wong W1fh you?" 5hap1o epeafed. "ls 1f shock?
Do you fh1nk fhafs Whaf 1f 1s? 8ecause l can g1ve you a p111
...o a shof. 8uf 1fs geff1ng fo me, l donf m1nd fe111ng
you. You usf sfand1ng ouf hee 1ook1ng af fhe nexf fofy
m11es of nofh1ng! lfs sand! Jusf sand!"
"lfs a beach," kand sa1d deam11y. "Wanf fo make a sand casf1e?"
"Okay, good," 5hap1o sa1d. "lm go1ng fo go gef a need1e and an amp of Ye11oWback.
lf you Wanf fo acf 11ke a goddam donehead, l11 feaf you 11ke one."
"lf you fy fo 1necf me W1fh somefh1ng, you beffe be qu1ef When you sneak up
beh1nd me," kand sa1d m11d1y. "OfheW1se, l11 beak you am."
he cou1d do 1f, foo. 5hap1o, fhe asfogafo, We1ghed a hunded and fofy pounds and
sfood f1ve-f1ve. Phys1ca1 combaf Was nof h1s spec1a1fy. he gunfed an oafh and
funed aWay, back fo fhe sh1p, ho1d1ng kands f1ask.
"l fh1nk 1fs a11ve," kand sa1d. "lm acfua11y peffy sue of 1f."
5hap1o 1ooked back af h1m and fhen ouf af fhe dunes. 1he sunsef had g1ven fhem a
go1d f111gee af fhe1 smoofh, sWeep1ng caps, a f111gee fhaf shaded de11cafe1y doWn
fo fhe b1ackesf ebony 1n fhe foughs on fhe nexf dune, ebony shaded back fo go1d.
Go1d fo b1ack. 81ack fo go1d. Go1d fo b1ack and b1ack fo go1d and go1d fo --
5hap1o b11nked h1s eyes ap1d1y, and ubbed a hand ove fhem.
"l have sevea1 f1mes fe1f fh1s paf1cu1a dune move unde my feef," kand fo1d
5hap1o. "lf moves vey gacefu11y. lf 1s 11ke fee11ng fhe f1de. l can sme11 1fs
sme11 on fhe a1, and fhe sme11 1s 11ke sa1f."
"Youe cazy," 5hap1o sa1d. he Was so fe1f1ed fhaf he fe1f as 1f h1s ba1ns had
funed fo g1ass.
kand d1d nof ep1y. kands eyes seached fhe dunes, Wh1ch Wenf fom go1d fo b1ack fo
go1d fo b1ack 1n fhe sunsef.
5hap1o Wenf back fo fhe sh1p.
kand sfayed on fhe dune a11 n1ghf, and a11 fhe nexf day.
5hap1o 1ooked ouf and saW h1m. kand had faken off h1s LP su1f, and fhe sand had
a1mosf coveed 1f. On1y one s1eeve sfuck ouf, fo1on and supp11caf1ng. 1he sand
above and be1oW 1f em1nded 5hap1o of a pa1 of 11ps suck1ng W1fh a foofh1ess geed
af a fende mose1. 5hap1o fe1f a cazy des1e fo pe1f up fhe s1de of fhe dune and
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5fephen k1ng - 8eachWo1d
escue kands LP su1f.
he d1d nof.
he saf 1n h1s cab1n and Wa1fed fo fhe escue sh1p. 1he sme11 of Ieon had
d1ss1pafed. lf Was ep1aced by fhe even 1ess des1ab1e sme11 of G1mes decay1ng.
1he escue sh1p d1d nof come fhaf day o fhaf n1ghf o on fhe fh1d day.
5and somehoW appeaed 1n 5hap1os cab1n, a1fhough fhe hafchWay Was c1osed and fhe
sea1 sf111 appeaed pefecf1y f1ghf. he sucked fhe 11ff1e pudd1es of sand up W1fh
fhe pofa-vac as he had sucked up pudd1es of sp111ed Wafe on fhaf f1sf day. he Was
vey fh1sfy a11 fhe f1me. h1s f1ask Was nea1y empfy a1eady.
he fhoughf he had begun fo sme11 sa1f on fhe a1 1n h1s s1eep he head fhe sound of
gu11s. And he cou1d hea fhe sand.
1he sfeady W1nd Was mov1ng fhe f1sf dune c1ose fo fhe sh1p. h1s cab1n Was sf111
okay -- fhanks fo fhe pofa-vac -- buf fhe sand Was a1eady fak1ng ove fhe esf.
M1n1-dunes had eached fhough fhe b1oWn 1ocks and 1a1d ho1d of A5N/29. lf s1ffed 1n
fend11s and membanes fhough fhe venfs. 1hee Was a d1ff 1n one of fhe b1oWn
fanks.
5hap1os face geW gaunf and pebb1y W1fh bead shadoW. Nea sunsef of fhe fh1d
day, he c11mbed up fhe dune fo check on kand. he fhoughf abouf fak1ng a hypodem1c,
fhen eecfed 1f. lf Was a 1of moe fhan shock he kneW fhaf noW. kand Was 1nsane.
lf Wou1d be besf 1f he d1ed qu1ck1y. And 1f 1ooked as 1f fhaf Was exacf1y Whaf Was
go1ng fo happen.
5hap1o Was gaunf kand Was emac1afed. h1s body Was a scaWny sf1ck. h1s 1egs,
fome1y 1ch and fh1ck W1fh 1on-pumpes musc1e, Wee noW s1ack and doopy. 1he
sk1n hung on fhem 11ke 1oose socks fhaf keep fa111ng doWn. he Was Wea1ng on1y h1s
undeshofs, and fhey Wee ed ny1on, and fhey 1ooked absud1y 11ke a ba11-hugge
bafh1ng su1f. A 11ghf bead had begun fo goW on h1s face, fuzz1ng h1s ho11oW cheeks
and ch1n. h1s bead Was fhe co1o of beach sand. h1s ha1, fome1y a 11sf1ess boWn
shade, had b1eached ouf fo a nea b1ond. lf hung ove h1s foehead. On1y h1s eyes,
pee1ng fhough fhe f1nge of h1s ha1 W1fh b1ghf b1ue 1nfens1fy, sf111 11ved
fu11y. 1hey sfud1ed fhe beach
{fhe dunes goddamm1f fhe DuNL5}
e1enf1ess1y.
NoW 5hap1o saW a bad fh1ng. lf Was a vey bad fh1ng 1ndeed. he saW fhaf kands face
Was fun1ng 1nfo a sand dune. h1s bead and h1s ha1 Wee chok1ng h1s sk1n.
"You," 5hap1o sa1d, "ae go1ng fo d1e. lf you donf come doWn fo fhe sh1p and
d1nk, you ae go1ng fo d1e."
kand sa1d nofh1ng.
"ls fhaf Whaf you Wanf?"
Nofh1ng. 1hee Was fhe vacuous snuff1e of fhe W1nd, buf no moe. 5hap1o obseved
fhaf fhe ceases of kands neck Wee f1111ng up W1fh sand.
"1he on1y fh1ng l Wanf," kand sa1d 1n a fa1nf, faaWay vo1ce 11ke fhe W1nd, "1s my
8each 8oys fapes. 1heye 1n my cab1n."
"Iuck you!" 5hap1o sa1d fu1ous1y. "8uf do you knoW Whaf l hope? l hope a sh1p
comes befoe you d1e. l Wanf fo see you ho11e and sceam When fhey pu11 you aWay
fom you pec1ous goddam beach. l Wanf fo see Whaf happens fhen!"
"8each11 gef you, foo," kand sa1d. h1s vo1ce Was empfy and aff11ng, 11ke W1nd
1ns1de a sp11f goud -- a goud Wh1ch has been 1eff 1n a f1e1d af fhe end of
Ocfobes 1asf havesf. "1ake a 11sfen, 8111. L1sfen fo fhe Wave."
kand cocked h1s head. h1s moufh, ha1f-open, evea1ed h1s fongue. lf Was as sh1ve1ed
as a dy sponge.
5hap1o head somefh1ng.
he head fhe dunes. 1hey sang songs of 5unday affenoon af fhe beach -- naps on fhe
beach W1fh no deams. Long naps. M1nd1ess peace. 1he sound of cy1ng gu11s.
5h1ff1ng, fhoughf1ess paf1c1es. Wa1k1ng dunes. he head... and Was daWn. DaWn
foWad fhe dunes.
"You hea 1f," kand sa1d.
5hap1o eached 1nfo h1s nose and dug W1fh fWo f1nges unf11 1f b1ed. 1hen he cou1d
c1ose h1s eyes h1s fhoughfs came s1oW1y and c1ums11y fogefhe. h1s heaf Was
ac1ng.
/ Was a1mosf 11ke kand. Jesus!... 1f a1mosf had me!
he opened h1s eyes aga1n and saW fhaf kand had become a conch she11 on a 1ong
desefed beach, sfa1n1ng foWad foWad a11 fhe mysfe1es of an undead sea, sfa1ng
ouf af fhe dunes and fhe dunes and fhe dunes.
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5fephen k1ng - 8eachWo1d
No moe, 5hap1o moaned 1ns1de h1mse1f.
Oh, buf 11sfen fo fh1s Wave, fhe dunes Wh1speed back.
Aga1nsf h1s beffe udgmenf, 5hap1o 11sfened.
1hen h1s beffe udgmenf ceased fo ex1sf.
5hap1o fhoughf: / cou1d hea beffe 1f l saf doWn.
he saf doWn af kands feef and puf h1s hee1s on h1s fh1ghs 11ke a Yaqu1 lnd1an and
11sfened.
he head fhe 8each 8oys and fhe 8each 8oys Wee s1ng1ng abouf fun, fun, fun. he
head fhem s1ng1ng maf fhe g11s on fhe beach Wee a11 W1fh1n each. he head --
-- a ho11oW s1gh1ng of fhe W1nd, nof 1n h1s ea buf 1n fhe canyon befWeen 1ghf
ba1n and 1eff ba1n -- he head fhaf s1gh1ng someWhee 1n fhe b1ackness Wh1ch 1s
spanned on1y by fhe suspens1on b1dge of fhe copus ca11osum, Wh1ch connecfs
consc1ous fhoughf fo fhe 1nf1n1fe. he fe1f no hunge, no fh1sf, no heaf, no fea.
he head on1y fhe vo1ce 1n fhe empf1ness.
And a sh1p came.
lf came sWoop1ng ouf of fhe sky, affebunes scafch1ng a 1ong oange fack fom
1ghf fo 1eff. 1hunde be1fed fhe de1fa-Wave fopogaphy, and sevea1 dunes co11apsed
11ke bu11ef-pafh ba1n damage. 1he fhunde 1pped 8111y 5hap1os head open and fo
a momenf he Was fon bofh Ways, 1pped, fon doWn fhe m1dd1e --
1hen he Was up on h1s feef.
"5h1p!" he sceamed. "ho1y fuck! 5h1p! 5h1p! 5hlP!"
lf Was a be1f fade, d1fy and buggeed by f1ve hunded -- o f1ve fhousand --
yeas of c1an sev1ce. lf sufed fhough fhe a1, banged cude1y up1ghf, sk1dded.
1he capfa1n b1eW efs and fused sand 1nfo b1ack g1ass. 5hap1o cheeed fhe Wound.
kand 1ooked aound 11ke a man aWak1ng fom a deep deam.
"1e11 1f fo go aWay, 8111y."
"You donf undesfand." 5hap1o Was shamb11ng aound, shak1ng h1s f1sfs 1n fhe a1.
"You11 be a11 1ghf -- "
he boke foWad fhe d1fy fade 1n b1g, 1eap1ng sf1des, 11ke a kangaoo unn1ng
fom a gound f1e. 1he sand c1ufched af h1m. 5hap1o k1cked 1f aWay. Iuck you,
sand. l gof a honey back 1n hansonv111e. 5and neve had no honey. 8each neve had no
had-on.
1he fades hu11 sp11f. A gangp1ank popped ouf 11ke a fongue. A man sfode doWn 1f
beh1nd fhee samp1e ando1ds and a guy bu11f 1nfo feads fhaf Was sue1y fhe
capfa1n. he Woe a beef W1fh a c1an symbo1 on 1f, anyWay.
One of fhe ando1ds Waved a samp1e Wand af h1m. 5hap1o baffed 1f aWay. he fe11 on
h1s knees 1n fonf of fhe capfa1n and embaced fhe feads Wh1ch had ep1aced fhe
capfa1ns dead 1egs.
"1he dunes... kand... no Wafe... a11ve... hypnof1zed h1m... donehead Wo1d... l...
fhank God..."
A sfee1 fenfac1e Wh1pped aound 5hap1o and yanked h1m aWay on h1s guf. Dy sand
Wh1speed undeneafh h1m 11ke 1aughfe.
"lfs okay," fhe capfa1n sa1d. "8ey-af she11 Me! Me! Gaf!"
1he ando1d dopped 5hap1o and backed aWay, c11ffe1ng d1sfacfed1y fo 1fse1f.
"A11 fh1s Way fo a fuck1ng Ied!" fhe capfa1n exc1a1med b1ffe1y.
5hap1o Wepf. lf huf, nof usf 1n h1s head, buf 1n h1s 11ve.
"Dud! Gee-yaf! Gaf! Wafe-fo-h1m-Cy!"
1he man Who had been 1n fhe 1ead fossed h1m a n1pp1ed 1oW-gav boff1e. 5hap1o
upended 1f and sucked geed11y, sp1111ng cysfa1-co1d Wafe 1nfo h1s moufh, doWn h1s
ch1n, 1n d1bb1es fhaf dakened h1s fun1c, Wh1ch had b1eached fo fhe co1o of bone.
he choked, vom1fed, fhen dank aga1n.
Dud and fhe capfa1n Wafched h1m c1ose1y. 1he ando1ds c11ffeed.
Af 1asf 5hap1o W1ped h1s moufh and saf up. he fe1f bofh s1ck and We11.
"You 5hap1o?" fhe capfa1n asked.
5hap1o nodded.
"C1an aff111af1on?"
"None."
"A5N numbe?"
"29."
"CeW?"
"1hee. One dead. 1he ofhe -- kand -- up fhee." he po1nfed buf d1d nof 1ook.
1he capfa1ns face d1d nof change. Duds face d1d.
"1he beach gof h1m," 5hap1o sa1d. he saW fhe1 quesf1on1ng, ve11ed 1ooks. "5hock...
Page 6
5fephen k1ng - 8eachWo1d
maybe. he seems hypnof1zed. he keeps fa1k1ng abouf fhe... fhe 8each 8oys... neve
m1nd, you Wou1dnf knoW. he Wou1dnf d1nk o eaf. hes bad off."
"Dud. 1ake one of fhe and1es and gef h1m doWn fom fhee." he shook h1s head. "Ied
sh1p, Ch1sf. No sa1vage."
Dud nodded. A feW momenfs 1afe he Was scamb11ng up fhe s1de of fhe dune W1fh one
of fhe and1es. 1he andy 1ooked 11ke a fWenfy-yea-o1d sufe Who m1ghf make dope
money on fhe s1de sev1c1ng boed W1doWs, buf h1s sf1de gave h1m aWay even moe
fhan fhe segmenfed fenfac1es Wh1ch geW fom h1s amp1fs. 1he sf1de, common fo a11
ando1ds, Was fhe s1oW, ef1ecf1ve, a1mosf pa1nfu1 sf1de of an ag1ng Lng11sh buf1e
W1fh hemoho1ds.
1hee Was a buzz fom fhe capfa1ns dashboad.
"lm hee."
"1h1s 1s Gomez, Cap. We gof a s1fuaf1on hee. Compscan and suface fe1emefy shoW us
a vey unsfab1e suface. 1hees no bedock fhaf We can fag. Wee esf1ng on ou
oWn bun, and 1ghf noW fhaf may be fhe hadesf fh1ng on fhe Who1e p1anef. 1oub1e
1s, fhe bun 1fse1f 1s sfaf1ng fo seff1e."
"kecommendaf1on?
"We oughf fo gef ouf."
"When?"
"I1ve m1nufes ago."
"Youe a 1augh 1of, Gomez."
1he capfa1n punched a buffon and fhe commun1cafo Wenf ouf.
5hap1os eyes Wee o111ng. "Look, neve m1nd kand. hes had 1f."
"lm fak1ng you bofh back," fhe capfa1n sa1d. "l gof no sa1vage, buf fhe Iedeaf1on
oughf fo pay somefh1ng fo fhe fWo of you... nof fhaf e1fhe of you ae Wofh much,
as fa as l can see. hes cazy and youe ch1ckensh1f."
"No... you donf undesfand. You -- "
1he capfa1ns cunn1ng ye11oW eyes g1eamed.
"You gof any confa?" he asked.
"Capfa1n... 1ook... p1ease -- "
"8ecause 1f you do, fhees no sense usf 1eav1ng 1f hee. 1e11 me Whaf 1f 1s and
Whee 1f 1s. l11 sp11f sevenfy-fh1fy. 5fandad sa1vos fee. Cou1dnf do any
beffe fhan fhaf, hey? You -- "
1he bun sudden1y f11fed beneafh fhem. qu1fe nof1ceab1y f11fed. A hon someWhee
1ns1de fhe fade began fo b1af W1fh muff1ed egu1a1fy. 1he commun1cafo on fhe
capfa1ns dashboad Wenf off aga1n.
"1hee!" 5hap1o sceamed. "1hee, do you see Whaf youe up aga1nsf? You Wanf fo
fa1k abouf confaband noW? WL hAvL GO1 1O GL1 1hL IuCk Ou1 OI hLkL!"
"5huf up, handsome, o l11 have one of fhese guys sedafe you," fhe capfa1n sa1d.
h1s vo1ce Was seene buf h1s eyes had changed. he fhumbed fhe commun1cafo.
"Cap, l gof fen degees of f11f and Wee geff1ng moe. 1he e1evafos go1ng doWn,
buf 1fs go1ng on an ang1e. Weve sf111 gof f1me, buf nof much. 1he sh1ps go1ng fo
fa11 ove."
"1he sfufs W111 ho1d he."
"No, s1. 8egg1ng fhe capfa1ns padon, fhey Wonf."
"5faf f11ng sequences, Gomez."
"1hank you, s1." 1he e11ef 1n Gomezs vo1ce Was unm1sfakab1e.
Dud and fhe ando1d Wee com1ng back doWn fhe f1ank of fhe dune. kand Wasnf W1fh
fhem. 1he andy fe11 fufhe and fufhe beh1nd. And noW a sfange fh1ng happened.
1he andy fe11 ove on 1fs face. 1he capfa1n foWned. lf d1d nof fa11 as an andy 1s
supposed fo fa11 -- Wh1ch 1s fo say, 11ke a human be1ng, moe o 1ess. lf Was as 1f
someone had pushed ove a mannequ1n 1n a depafmenf sfoe. lf fe11 ove 11ke fhaf.
1hump, and a 11ff1e fan c1oud of sand puffed up fom aound 1f.
Dud Wenf back and kne1f by 1f. 1he andys 1egs Wee sf111 mov1ng as 1f 1f deamed,
1n fhe 1.5 m1111on Ieon-coo1ed m1co-c1cu1fs fhaf made up 1fs m1nd, fhaf 1f sf111
Wa1ked. 8uf fhe 1eg movemenfs Wee s1oW and cack1ng. 1hey sfopped. 5moke began fo
come ouf of 1fs poes and 1fs fenfac1es sh1veed 1n fhe sand. lf Was guesome1y 11ke
Wafch1ng a human d1e. A deep g1nd1ng came fom 1ns1de 1f: Gaaaagggg!
"Iu11 of sand," 5hap1o Wh1speed. "lfs gof 8each 8oys e11g1on."
1he capfa1n g1anced af h1m 1mpaf1enf1y. "Donf be 1d1cu1ous, man. 1haf fh1ng cou1d
Wa1k fhough a sandsfom and nof gef a ga1n 1ns1de 1f."
"Nof on fh1s Wo1d."
1he bun seff1ed aga1n. 1he fade Was noW c1ea1y canfed. 1hee Was a 1oW goan as
Page 7
5fephen k1ng - 8eachWo1d
fhe sfufs fook moe We1ghf.
"Leave 1f!" fhe capfa1n baW1ed af Dud. "Leave 1f, 1eave 1f! Gee-yaf!
Come-me-fo-Cy!
Dud came, 1eav1ng fhe andy fo Wa1k face-doWn 1n fhe sand.
"Whaf a ba11s-up," fhe capfa1n muffeed.
he and Dud engaged 1n a convesaf1on spoken enf1e1y 1n a ap1d p1dg1n d1a1ecf Wh1ch
5hap1o Was ab1e fo fo11oW fo some degee. Dud fo1d fhe capfa1n fhaf kand had
efused fo come. 1he andy had f1ed fo gab kand, buf W1fh no foce. Lven fhen 1f
Was mov1ng ek11y, and sfange gaf1ng sounds Wee com1ng fom 1ns1de 1f. A1so, 1f
had begun fo ec1fe a comb1naf1on of ga1acf1c sf1p-m1n1ng cood1nafes and a
cafa1ogue of fhe capfa1ns fo1k-mus1c fapes. Dud h1mse1f had fhen c1osed W1fh kand.
1hey had sfugg1ed b1ef1y. 1he capfa1n fo1d Dud fhaf 1f Dud had a11oWed a man Who
had been sfand1ng fhee days 1n fhe hof sun fo gef fhe beffe of h1m, fhaf maybe he
oughf fo gef anofhe I1sf.
Duds face dakened W1fh embaassmenf, buf h1s gave, concened 1ook neve
fa1feed. he s1oW1y funed h1s head, evea11ng fou deep fuoWs 1n h1s cheek. 1hey
Wee We111ng s1oW1y.
"h1m-gaf b1g 1nd1es," Dud sa1d. "5fong-fa-Cy. h1mgaf fo umby."
"umby-h1m fa-Cy?" 1he capfa1n Was 1ook1ng af Dud sfen1y.
Dud nodded. "umby. 8eyaf-she1. umby-fo-Cy."
5hap1o had been foWn1ng, conn1ng h1s f1ed, f1ghfened m1nd fo fhaf Wod. NoW 1f
came. umby. lf meanf cazy. hes sfong, fo Ch1sfs sake. 5fong because hes
cazy. hes gof b1g Ways, b1g foce. 8ecause hes cazy.
81g Ways... o maybe 1f meanf b1g Waves. he Wasnf sue. L1fhe Way 1f came fo fhe
same.
umby.
1he gound sh1ffed undeneafh fhem aga1n, and sand b1eW acoss 5hap1os boofs.
Iom beh1nd fhem came fhe ho11oW ka-fhud, ka-fhud, kafhud of fhe beafhe-fubes
open1ng. 5hap1o fhoughf 1f one of fhe 1ove11esf sounds he had eve head 1n h1s
11fe.
1he capfa1n saf deep 1n fhoughf, a We1d cenfau Whose 1oWe ha1f Was feads and
p1afes 1nsfead of hose. 1hen he 1ooked up and fhumbed fhe commun1cafo.
"Gomez, send Lxce11enf Monfoya doWn hee W1fh a fanqu111ze gun."
"AcknoW1edged."
1he capfa1n 1ooked af 5hap1o. "NoW, on fop of eveyfh1ng e1se, lve 1osf an ando1d
Wofh you sa1ay fo fhe nexf fen yeas. lm p1ssed off. l mean fo have you
buddy."
"Capfa1n." 5hap1o cou1d nof he1p 11ck1ng h1s 11ps. he kneW fh1s Was a vey
111-chosen fh1ng fo do. he d1d nof Wanf fo appea mad, hysfe1ca1, o caven, and
fhe capfa1n had appaenf1y dec1ded he Was a11 fhee. L1ck1ng h1s 11ps 11ke fhaf
Wou1d on1y add fo fhe 1mpess1on... buf he s1mp1y cou1dnf he1p h1mse1f. "Capfa1n, l
cannof 1mpess on you foo sfong1y fhe need fo gef off fh1s Wo1d as soon as poss --
"
"Can 1f, donehead," fhe capfa1n sa1d, nof unk1nd1y.
A fh1n sceam ose fom fhe fop of fhe neaesf dune.
"Donf fouch me! Donf come nea me! Leave me a1one! A11 of you!"
"81g 1nd1es gaf umby," Dud sa1d gave1y.
Ma-h1m, yeah-mon, fhe capfa1n efuned, and fhen funed fo 5hap1o. "he ea11y
1s bad off, 1snf he?"
5hap1o shuddeed. "You donf knoW. You usf -- "
1he bun seff1ed aga1n. 1he sfufs Wee goan1ng 1oude fhan eve. 1he commun1cafo
cack1ed. Gomezs vo1ce Was fh1n, a 11ff1e unsfeady.
"We have fo gef ouf of hee 1ghf noW, Cap!"
"A11 1ghf." A boWn man appeaed on fhe gangWay. he he1d a 1ong p1sfo1 1n one
g1oved hand. 1he capfa1n po1nfed af kand. "Ma-h1m, fo-Cy. Can?"
Lxce11enf Monfoya, unpefubed by fhe f11f1ng eafh fhaf Was nof eafh buf on1y sand
fused fo g1ass {and fhee Wee deep cacks unn1ng fhough 1f noW, 5hap1o saW},
unbofheed by fhe goan1ng sfufs o fhe ee1e s1ghf of an ando1d fhaf noW appeaed
fo be d1gg1ng 1fs oWn gave W1fh 1fs feef, sfud1ed kands fh1n f1gue fo a momenf.
"Can," he sa1d.
"Gaf! Gaf-fo-Cy!" 1he capfa1n spaf fo one s1de. "5hoof h1s pecke off, l donf
cae," he sa1d. "Jusf as 1ong as hes sf111 beafh1ng When We sh1p."
Lxce11enf Monfoya a1sed fhe p1sfo1. 1he gesfue Was appaenf1y fWo-fh1ds casua1
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5fephen k1ng - 8eachWo1d
and one-fh1d cae1ess, buf 5hap1o, even 1n h1s sfafe of nea-pan1c, nofed fhe Way
Monfoyas head f11fed fo one s1de as he 11ned fhe bae1 up. L1ke many 1n fhe c1ans,
fhe gun Wou1d be nea1y a paf of h1m, 11ke po1nf1ng h1s oWn f1nge
1hee Was a ho11oW fooh! as he squeezed fhe f1gge and fhe fanqu111ze daf b1eW
ouf of fhe bae1.
A hand eached ouf of fhe dune and c1aWed 1f doWn.
lf Was a 1age boWn hand, Wavey, made of sand. lf s1mp1y eached up, 1n def1ance
of fhe W1nd, and smofheed fhe momenfay g11ffe of fhe daf. 1hen fhe sand fe11
back W1fh a heavy fhap. No hand. lmposs1b1e fo be11eve fhee had been. 8uf fhey
had a11 seen 1f.
"G1ddy-hump," fhe capfa1n sa1d 1n an a1mosf convesaf1ona1 vo1ce.
Lxce11enf Monfoya fe11 on h1s knees. "A1dy-May-fo-Cy, b1f-gaf come! 5aW-hoh gof
be11y-gaf-fo-Cy! --
Numb1y, 5hap1o ea11zed Monfoya Was say1ng a osay 1n p1dg1n.
up on fhe dune, kand Was ump1ng up and doWn, shak1ng h1s f1sfs af fhe sky,
sceech1ng fh1n1y 1n f1umph.
A hand. lf Was a hAND. hes 1ghf 1fs a11ve, a11ve, a11ve --
"lnd1e!" fhe capfa1n sa1d shap1y fo Monfoya. "Cann1f! Gaf!"
Monfoya shuf up. h1s eyes fouched on fhe cape1ng f1gue of kand and fhen he 1ooked
aWay. h1s face Was fu11 of supesf1f1ous hoo nea1y med1eva1 1n qua11fy.
"Okay," fhe capfa1n sa1d. "lve had enough. l qu1f. Wee go1ng."
he shoved fWo buffons on h1s dashboad. 1he mofo fhaf shou1d have sW1ve1ed h1m
neaf1y aound so he faced up fhe gangp1ank aga1n d1d nof hum 1f squea1ed and
gafed. 1he capfa1n cused. 1he bun sh1ffed aga1n.
"Capfa1n!" Gomez. ln a pan1c.
1he capfa1n s1ammed 1n anofhe buffon and fhe feads began fo move backWad up fhe
gangp1ank.
"Gu1de me," fhe capfa1n sa1d fo 5hap1o. "l gof no fuck1ng eav1eW m1o. lf Was a
hand, Wasnf 1f?"
"Yes."
"l Wanf fo gef ouf of hee," fhe capfa1n sa1d. "lfs been foufeen yeas s1nce l had
a cock, buf 1ghf noW l fee1 11ke lm p1ss1ng myse1f."
1hap! A dune sudden1y co11apsed ove fhe gangWay. On1y 1f Wasnf a dune 1f Was an
am.
"Iuck, oh fuck," fhe capfa1n sa1d.
On h1s dune, kand capeed and sceeched.
NoW fhe fheads of fhe capfa1ns 1oWe ha1f began fo g1nd. 1he m1n1-fank of Wh1ch
fhe capfa1ns head and shou1des Wee fhe fuef noW began fo udde backWad.
"Whaf -- "
1he feads 1ocked. 5and sp1ufed ouf fom befWeen fhem.
"P1ck me up!" fhe capfa1n baW1ed fo fhe fWo ema1n1ng ando1ds. NoW! klGh1 NOW!
1he1 fenfac1es cu1ed aound fhe fead spockefs as fhey p1cked h1m up -- he 1ooked
1d1cu1ous1y 11ke a facu1fy membe abouf fo be fossed 1n a b1ankef by a bunch of
oughhous1ng fafen1fy boys. he Was fhumb1ng fhe commun1cafo.
"Gomez! I1na1 f11ng sequence! NoW! NoW!"
1he dune af fhe foof of fhe gangp1ank sh1ffed. 8ecame a hand. A 1age boWn hand
fhaf began fo scabb1e up fhe 1nc11ne.
5h1ek1ng, 5hap1o bo1fed fom fhaf hand.
Cus1ng, fhe capfa1n Was ca1ed aWay fom 1f.
1he gangp1ank Was pu11ed up. 1he hand fe11 off and became sand aga1n. 1he hafchWay
1se c1osed. 1he eng1nes hoW1ed. No f1me fo a couch no f1me fo anyfh1ng 11ke
fhaf. 5hap1o dopped 1nfo a cash-fo1d pos1f1on on fhe bu1khead and Was pompf1y
smashed f1af by fhe acce1eaf1on. 8efoe unconsc1ousness Washed ove h1m, 1f seemed
he cou1d fee1 sand gasp1ng af fhe fade W1fh muscu1a boWn ams, sfa1n1ng fo
ho1d fhem doWn --
1hen fhey Wee up and aWay.
kand Wafched fhem go. he Was s1ff1ng doWn. When fhe fack of fhe fades efs Was
af 1asf gone fom fhe sky, he funed h1s eyes ouf fo fhe p1ac1d end1essness of fhe
dunes.
"We gof a 34 Wagon and We ca11 1f a Woody," he coaked fo fhe empfy, mov1ng sand.
"lf a1nf vey chey 1fs an o1dy buf a goody."
51oW1y, ef1ecf1ve1y, he began fo cam handfu1 affe handfu1 of sand 1nfo h1s moufh.
he sWa11oWed... sWa11oWed... sWa11oWed. 5oon h1s be11y Was a sWo11en bae1 and sand
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5fephen k1ng - 8eachWo1d
began fo d1ff ove h1s 1egs.
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