Part 3: The Moon Island Fishing Club

      Water ebbed and flowed onto the beach at their feet, with Leo leading the way.

      “It’s just up ahead,” he said, without bothering to look back. The others followed silently, their nervous faces hidden by the night. Leo had waited a long time for this day.

      A great swirl of water rolled through the shallows, startling the group to a stop.

      “What the hell was that?” John said, as they all stared into the dark.

      The bag began to writhe, and Henry felt a great thorn-like pain sear into his back. He fought back the urge to yell out.

      “Goddamn it, we don’t have time to be stopping like this,” Leo said, his tone menacing.

      “Why don’t you tell us what we don’t have time for?” Linda shot back.

      Leo turned to face the group, shovel riding his shoulder, the whites of his eyes prominent in the moonlight.

      “Can’t you feel it thrumming through your feet?” he said, a smile spreading across his face.

      Something in his tone unsettled Henry, who had outlasted the squirming bag and now watched as the group stood silently. Henry could feel his feet growing warmer and a light pulse in his soles.

      “We don’t even know what we’re digging up,” Linda said, still watching for signs of the thing that stirred the water. “How do we know Cornelius wasn’t crazy?”

      Leo seized a large rock and threw it. Turning back to Linda, he yelled, “It’s too late to question this.”

      “We should vote,” Linda said defiantly.

      Before Leo could say anything, Earl spoke: “I feel it too, Leo.”

      “So do I,” John added.

      “Then you understand, boys,” Leo said. “What about you, Henry?”

      Henry nodded.

      Leo looked back at Linda. “We don’t need you. Go back to the boat.”

      Linda stared through Leo, past the trees, hoping she’d find something to say to justify her fear. Instead, she just stood there as Leo walked away, followed by John and Earl. The water swirled again, and the bag began to move, but both stilled when Henry patted the burlap.

      Linda looked up at Henry, searching his face.

      “I don’t understand this,” she said.

      “I don’t think we’re meant to,” Henry answered, before cradling her face with his hand, his fingers disappearing in her hair. Their eyes locked. Then he kissed her. Looking up, he saw Leo, John, and Earl watching.

      “Go back to the boat,” he whispered.

      “I won’t,” she answered.

      “Is there a problem, Mr. President?” Leo sneered.

      “Let’s just move,” Henry replied.