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    Love and Monsters: Stories
    Love and Monsters: Stories
    Love and Monsters: Stories
    Ebook121 pages1 hour

    Love and Monsters: Stories

    By Edward Punales

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    About this ebook

    A violent demon given a shot at redemption.

    A lonely man granted a life-changing wish.

    A young woman making friends with a strange creature.

    Dinosaurs, werewolves, aliens, life, death, and everything in-between.

    All the weird, beautiful, scary things that can happen, when you mix Love and Monsters.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherEdward Punales
    Release dateOct 22, 2018
    ISBN9781386114727
    Love and Monsters: Stories
    Author

    Edward Punales

    I’m a writer, poet, filmmaker, and lover of mythology, science fiction, art, and cheeseburgers.  I’ve published three short story collections, written and/or directed a handful of short films, regularly publish new work on my Medium page, and have spent way too much time on the internet watching old vine complications. I used to write under the pen name Edward Lange, but I switched to my real name in 2015. I live in South Florida.

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      Book preview

      Love and Monsters - Edward Punales

      NIGHT SURFING

      Maria sat on her surf board, as it bobbed up and down on the coastal waves. The neon lights of Ocean Drive burned on the shore in the distance, like green and pink embers. She liked living in South Beach, but the noise never seemed to stop. On the ocean at night there was no noise; no music, or cars or tourists. It was just her, the water, and whatever starlight got past the Miami light pollution.

      She was paddling back to shore when she saw something under the water. At first she thought it was a manatee or a dolphin. She’d occasionally seen those swimming around here, spent countless hours watching them under the night sky. But this was different. Maria could make out the green scales of the tail, nothing like the smooth gray of the other creatures. And the top half of the creature was odd. It was shaped like a human torso.

      A bright spotlight shown down on Maria.

      Get out of the water! A gruff voice shouted. Maria looked up, and saw a small fishing trolley, floating half-way between her and the shoreline. A stout man in an orange rain coat and fishing boots stood on the deck.

      She looked back, and the strange creature was gone.

      The fisherman had his hands cupped over his mouth, and he kept shouting. Lady get out! There’s a shark in the water!

      The surfer’s eyes went wide. She turned, past the spot where she’d seen the green-scaled creature, and saw the large dorsal fin sticking out of the water.

      The shark’s body hovered just under the surface like a dark cloud. It had to been at least 15-feet-long. And it was swimming right for Maria.

      Get over here! The old man said. Get out of the water!

      Maria’s hands dove into the water, paddling faster than she’d ever paddled in her life. Her legs kicked frantically. She was an experienced swimmer and surfer. And she had strength and determination beyond that of most people. She hoped it would be enough.

      Look out! The fisherman cried.

      Maria turned just in time to see the shark comp down on the tail of her surf board. She pushed herself off the board, and into the cold dark water. The shark’s teeth came within inches of her face, as it finished off what was left of her surfboard. Then the mammoth mouth turned to her. It was wide open, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, embedded in sickly, bleeding gums.

      The world seemed to slow down. After all she’d been through, all she’d seen, all she’d survived, this was how it was going to end. She couldn’t out swim this, so she stopped dead in the water, and closed her eyes. She hoped it would be quick.

      Maria felt something brush past her leg. She opened her eyes and saw a flash of crimson hair shoot out of the water. A green, scaly tail smacked her away from the shark. Salt water stung her eyes, and she couldn’t see what was happening. But she could hear violent thrashing, and the painful grunts of something human.

      She rubbed the salt water out of her eyes, and looked back up. The shark was gone, its dorsal fin receding into the night. In its place was something else. Something with long red hair, flowing over a human torso, and attached to a green, scaly fish body. It swam over to Maria, concern in its big green eyes.

      Are you okay? The creature asked.

      Yes I’m fine. Maria said. That was amazing. Thank you.

      The creature looked at Maria, and flashed a grin of sharp, needle-thin teeth. You’re welcome.

      Maria and the mermaid swam to the fisherman’s boat. The fisherman reached over the side, and started pulling Maria aboard.

      Did you see that? Maria said.

      Yeah, The fisherman nodded. Now get on-board. I don’t want you getting caught in the net.

      Maria stood up on the deck. What net?

      The fisherman threw a large net into the water, ensnaring the mermaid.

      Let me go! The creature thrashed about in the net.

      What are you doing? Maria cried.

      The fisherman pulled up the net, and dropped it on to the deck. This is the best catch I’ve ever had. He grinned at Maria. Little lady, we’re gonna be rich!

      Let her go. Maria said.

      The smile left the fisherman’s face. Don’t you give me orders on my own damn ship!

      Let her go now, or you’ll regret it.

      Keep this up, and I’ll throw you overboard.

      Maria took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. I’m very sorry to hear that. She took a step closer to the fisherman.

      What are you doing?

      Maria opened her mouth, revealing a pair of fangs. The fisherman screamed. She lunged forward, and sank her teeth into his soft neck.

      The mermaid watched from inside the net, as Maria fed on the fisherman’s blood.

      Maria finished, and helped the mermaid out of the net. They lay next to each other on the deck of the boat.

      Thank you. The mermaid said. She rested her hand on Maria’s.

      It’s the least I could do, Maria said. Besides, it’s not every day I get to meet another monster.

      DEATH OF A FUCKBOI

      Sergio had gotten kicked out of two nightclubs and was starting to get pissed off.

      He stumbled down the road, under the orange street lamps, in the ungodly humidity of a Miami night. Patches of sweat formed on his black-and-purple Armani suit.  Dog shit clung to the soles of his shoes. The expensive cologne he’d doused himself in had mostly worn off. Whatever was left had mixed with his sweat, creating a sickly sweet odor. The boy was not in a good way.

      There were still a few clubs he could check out, but he was no longer in the mood. He’d had it with these women who wouldn’t give him the time of day, who’d shriek when he gave them a friendly squeeze, as he called it. You’d think these girls had never been in a nightclub before.

      Sergio seethed at these women. To him, they were selfish creatures, who used their beauty to manipulate and exploit and tease young men. All he wanted to do was talk to them, buy them a drink, dance with them, show them a good time. If they’d only give him a chance, they’d see what a sweet, intelligent, nice guy he was.

      But they never would. They were too shallow.

      Sergio thought they’d all probably end up with big dumb assholes that’d beat them. And he wouldn’t have an ounce of pity for them.

      Excuse me, a soft, delicate voice said. Sergio turned around and saw a petite Asian girl, in a trench coat.

      She had a cute round face, framed on both sides by locks of dark black hair. Her eyes were large green jewels that shimmered in the night. Her lips were bright red, and her skin was pale and beautiful. She was one of the prettiest girls Sergio had ever seen.

      I’m sorry to bother you sir, She said. Her voice was as soft as a whisper. There was a smallness to it, as though the girl were nervous to ask her question. Sergio liked that. I’m, um, I’m a little lost tonight. I’m new in town, and I was just going for a walk, and...I guess I got a little turned around.

      Oh you poor thing, Sergio wanted her to hear his caring side, show her that he could be nurturing. Girls liked that kind of stuff.

      Could you tell me how to get to Meridian Avenue? I’d really appreciate it. She said, almost pleading. This girl was afraid, desperate to get home. She was probably nervous about being out at night all alone. It gave Sergio an idea.

      Sure, He said. In fact, I could show you the way. It’s not that far from here.

      You mean walk me home? She asked.

      Yes, Sergio waited for the inevitable rejection, followed by the accusation that he was a creep. It was a reaction that Sergio was all too used to, from girls who were too arrogant to appreciate a good man like him.

      But this girl’s face lit up. She smiled that innocent school girl smile.

      You’d do that for me? She said. He could’ve swum in the gratitude dripping from her mouth.

      Of course, Sergio said.

      "Oh my god! Thank you! You

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