BENEATH THE STAINS OF TIME

coaled stilts power thrust through the sapphire waters, ghastly silhouette casting shadows over the pastel reef below. a chilled, electric current pricked needles up and down his spine, loving the cold wet texture surrounding him. delicately carved paws struck home, sucked into the hungry sand. the less than knightly man stepped onto the beach, with some added effort. his usually unkempt coat now reached desperately toward the microbeads of golden sun, weighted down by a water world. he was perhaps the most awkward sight - like a drenched cat standing miserably in angst.

he had had no reason for wanting to submit himself to the waters, only that the island pulled at him like a magnet. and now that he was here, he wasn't sure what to do. there seemed to be no one here, and the fruitful greenery hidden under the tall canopies ahead didn't look appetizing enough to waste more energy. so, with the waters still licking at his dainty paws, he bowed in earnest and gingerly crawled forward - soaked belly dragging along the rough sand. he collapsed when his hind legs were stretched so far he was nearly on his toes, and with a purring groan buried his ebony mask into the grabbing beach. today was going to be wasteful.