Prologue

 You’ve probably been to Cheerie-On-Sea . In summer , you probably went to the beach or you might’ve watched as the sun began to hide behind the horizon.When you went there you would have seen many joyful families leaping into the smooth , flowing water , greedy seagulls trying to snatch your food and an ice cream van with many exotic flavors to explore.It’s that kind of place in the summer…

But in winter , you probably adapted to the miserable , cold weather giving you terrible frostbites.You should try being there when the tree branches begin to freeze and the floors completely turn to ice .You should try being there when the water starts to turn gloomy and have no meaning at all.Many locals believe in a myth that no one should visit in winter for a horrifying reason.

                                   Chapter 1

    Hi my name is Kadijah Khan and I work in the atlas museum. Most people call me khan. I am the museum’s receptionist . My job is to provide excellent customer service , book reservations for people and answer phone calls ( sometimes angry people give complaints) . A lot of people tell me that I should try and get a better job , but this job suits me just fine . I have a little storage room where I have all of my nessacray needs . It can sometimes be quite lonely but during the day I have many customers with bright smiles that cheer me up.In the summer, we are very booked up . It is not that busy in winter, somedays only 5-9 people showup.

I hear a mysterious tap on my window and a girl says “ Let me in please , please !” I am pretty confused considering it is late and I have no idea what to do . She looks quite upset so I open the window and she tip-toes in. She mouths to me “ Thank you,” and goes to hide in my wooden, antique wardrobe. She softly whispers in my ear and says “ Please hide me, he’s coming !”

 Before I go deeper, I must tell you a story that happened in our town on this exact day.This story took place so many centuries ago that not much detail is included .Groups of locals huddle up everyday trying to find a way to see the creature. In the winter , at night, a tall,slim creature comes out the depths of the water and walks through our town’s street. It was a rare species of mander also known as the monomander . This creature

has only been seen once due to the time it comes out . It smells of fish flesh and has bits of coral all over its back.It once left several footprints near our museum and also near the market. They say that it wanders on the streets sobbing and screeching its nails on brick walls.If this sound was heard everyone would immediately take cover as this shows signs of bad luck.

Some say that the creature had experienced a terrible life and wishes to get revenge . Some say a child had tried to communicate with it  and went missing that exact night .In the stormy and harsh weather, I have heard several screams and distant howls . I hiss to her “Why do you need to hide? What has happened?”

“I-i-i- i’ve  seen it!” she stutters.

 For a moment the room is quiet and then I ask her “ What was it that you saw?” Outside I am beginning to hear the forbidden sound as the wind gets stronger and the rain is getting heavier as the storm starts to begin.I think I already know what she is going to say, maybe she saw the nonomander.

 About 10 minutes later I began to investigate Aisha’s footsteps behind the museum.Inside I regret coming out this late at night , I should’ve stayed at home in my bed. All I can say is that Aisha is really getting on my nerves. She is so bossy and sassy!! The wind is building up faster and faster. Me and Aisha begin to tilt sideways. We push and push otherwise we would be blown off our feet.The distant lightning crackles and shackles over the town as now the storm is getting really strong. 

We pass by Mrs Smith’s Confetti House , Millie’s fish and chip shop and Bob’s beach supplies . All of them are fighting against the powerful storm. The lights are all off and few cars pass by late for home.

Aisha nudges me towards the pier and we spot huge footprints scattered all around us . It looks like it has claws which are sharper than a knife and feet with wrinkles and crinkles all over. The sea’s waves crash on the pier. It seems like an urge because it is crashing like it is late for work. We slowly follow the footprint until we arrive and we hear not 1 but 2 howls . It came from the mountain above. We have the urge to go and explore so we start hiking up the mountain.

 Hardly daring to breathe, we are starting to reach our last breath as the mountain assembles in a specific order, moss falls on the seaside and lumps of rock fall 

down. Something begins to roar heavily and it seems that it is getting angry . We slowly approach a door and take a peek through it but we see nothing.

Silently Aisha begins to open the door and we hear creaks which get louder and louder. Something bends down on the floor and we see prickles along it back with red demonic eyes. We smell horrible stenches of fish flesh and a slimy goo on the floor. Aisha tries to say something but it starts to run to her …

Outside, the lightning starts to calm down , the storm begins to disappear in the clouds and the rain starts to turn into soft hail. The nonomander crouches and then leaps and with that it is not to be seen again . It smashes through doors, mountains and even destroys a statue. It looks back at us and its red eyes glow and it bites and bites at us.Then it crouches again and springs down below in the water.