Prologue

You’ve probably been to Moody Bay. Although, you would’ve been in summer, when the sign read ‘Beachy Bay’. You most likely paddled in the sea with your siblings, ate bubblegum ice-cream; built sand castles; and hid your fish and chips from the seagulls. You even went to Beachy Street Restaurant for tea. Remember? 

But in winter, you went home and forgot all about your holiday. And little did you know, the sign changed whilst you were fast asleep in the car. Moody Bay became deserted… the locals stayed away and tourists packed their bags. Fog traveled up the streets like a vast, ghostly tentacle. Some people even say they hear echoes of clip-clops when they pass the seaside. 

In summer, everyone’s outside, soaking up the sun. Just like you did seven years ago. People chill under parasols and skip along the pier, singing joyful songs. Many people come: children with buckets and spades, parents peacefully reading books; elderly people knitting in the shade; and dogs barking at the waves.

Chapter One

My name is Georgie Raunt, but most people call me George, except from Miss Alicio. Miss Alicio is the owner of Beachy Street Restaurant – where I work. I’m only twelve, so I don’t really have a proper job. All I do is clean the dishes and serve food. I guess you could call me the cleaner, or the waiter. Beachy Street is right next to the beach, which means I can paddle in the sea whenever its not my shift.

Funny story about the beach: I was found on the beach, at exactly 11:09 pm. What’s significant about this time, I am unsure. According to Miss Alicio, I was only about three months old. She took me to the flat above the restaurant and laid me in a cot. From then on, I’ve lived with Miss Alicio and now she’s like a mother to me.

I’m looking around and notice a girl at the top of the stairs. 

She says, “Open the door!” 

I’m staring at her.. what would Miss Alicio think if I was letting random girls into my room? 

“Do you want them to find me?” The girl was tapping on the glass as if I was a monkey at a zoo, “I said let me in!” 

I open the door and it creaks…

Before I continue with the story, there’s a legend about our town that I should tell you. It happened many years ago (twelve to be precise) beginning at 11:09pm. Mr Bury, the book shop owner, says he heard the sound of hooves trotting through the street. He looked behind him and saw the swish of a part-transparent horse tail. It’s been given the name: Horsamander. But, some say it’s all fake and was just a dream. Others say they can hear it every night. I know it only appears in dark, foggy weather, so that surely can’t be right. Although, I have never seen or heard it myself.

Locals say you can smell a whiff of rotten hay when there’s a stormy sea mist floating around. They say the clip – clop is just the rumble of the wind knocking things over. I believe it though. I know it must be real. It’s the only interesting thing about this boring town.

“What do you mean they’ll find you!?” 

I back away to the other end of my room, her green siren eyes glaring at me. Her luscious locks moving in the breeze coming through the open door. She spins around and slams the door shut. 

“They’re here!” She exclaims.

“Uhm, here! Hide in the wardrobe.”

Chapter 2

This girl appears to have seen the-the Horsamander. She’s still hiding in the wardrobe. I’m looking out the window… there’s nothing there apart from a deathly sea mist. I walk over to open the door and the mysterious girl speaks, “Is it gone?”

The light flickers, but the sort of flicker when a shadow passes the light. She screams.

“Look, err whatever your name is, we need to find the creature you saw. Now,” I tell her.

“It’s Everie,” She smiles. Creeping towards the door, I open it. Except it didn’t creak like it normally does. Anyways, no time for doors that don’t creak. 

Me and my strange friend, Everie, are walking towards the pier; the wet air dampening our clothes. We reach the pier. A green jet of light just flashed my eyes. 

“Did you see that?” I’m calling out to her. She continues to walk forwards as if a siren was calling her. I don’t understand: she was just petrified after seeing the Horsamander and now she could be walking right into it’s trap! 

“Huh? Did you say something?” Everie finally replies. I’m staring at her. She gestures me to walk on, but I’m rooted to the spot. How is she so brave? At that moment, distant sounds of hooves on cobblestone were edging towards us. I’m feeling the cold breeze that is described in books about the Horsamander…the signs that it is near. 

I’m running to Everie – she clearly doesn’t know what’s about to happen. We hear the choppy waves behind us, the clip-clops getting closer and screams that sound very alike to neighs. “Run!” I’m screaming. She spins around and so do I, but to our horror we see the mander standing in front of us… 

It rears up on the spot and makes a siren call, showing it’s pristine white fangs. Everie says something, but I can’t hear her over the crashing waves. It was like she was in control of the monster: it disappears into the Moody Sea to her command. I stare at Everie, wondering who I decided to become friends with. 

“Lets go. Before it comes back.” I’m telling her. And we walk back, my eyes full of fear, but Everie’s intriguing.