Fifty Word Challenge Entry - “Forest”

The micro fiction story, below, is an entry in @jayna’s Fifty-word challenge. The prompt this week is ‘forest.’ I chose to use it to tell this story, because maybe it’s true. Maybe not. Inspired, at least, by past late afternoon swims at the now shark- and seal-infested waters of the famous and still beautiful, (fictitious) “Emerald Cove…”

Thanks, Jayna, for once again, providing a new prompt to fire the imagination. Everyone, this week’s challenge lasts through Saturday, therefore there's still time to enter. Guidelines here. 

Here’s my entry (title excluded from word count)

Late Afternoon Swim at Emerald Crystal Cove:

The Garibaldi twins surfed the crystal emerald waves like orange jewel cakes. Potsy’s mouth watered. He leapt off Selkie Rock Lounge. Mrs. Garibaldi chimed the dinner bell. “Coming.” The Damsels dove to Garibaldi Retreat in Kelp Forest Deep. “Too tangly,” said Postsy. Tuck the Turtle tittered. “Foiled by the bell.”

KT’s POLITICALLY INCORRECT COMMENTARY - read at your own risk

On the Protected Kelp Forest, Cove and fauna above and within its curling darkness:

Environmentalists dispute with Conservationists

Experts and amateurs argue over facts, known and unknown, yet not answering the common citizens' questions. For instance, just how did the multi-varied seals and sea-lions, most being non-indigenous to The Emerald Crystal Cove, really get there?

Why would they swim all the way from their native waters, which are miles up and down the Pacific Coast? 

Did they crave, like tourists, the to-die-for view? 

Had they been dumped off by marine mammal rescue clinic boats, because the poor beasties, now healed from near-fatal shark or orc bites, needed a new home?

Or were they stranded during the mysterious Blue Blob phenomena that trumped El Niño in bringing in exotic sea life?

Garibaldi watchers just plant their field glasses on their faces, and ever scour the scene.

They shrug, concerned only with seeking the now rare appearance of Garibaldi Damsels. Once in a while the beauties show up, as if to mimic phantom suns. The brave ones sail through the crystal wave tips, or gather like beguiled sailors, as if drawn to the siren’s call. Unwittingly to provide Postsy and company with home-delivered meals.

The Garibaldi, who seek deep shelter amid the tangled kelp forest, strive to thrive there with other easy piscis-prey.

This is the law of the kelp-jungle, which borders the now seal-infested coastal waters, because the sharks also come and go for easy seal kill, thanking King Neptune for the fresh snacks their God provides.

Cove shop and restaurant owners despair.

Nothing the merchant association has tried gets rid of the seals, but, if they could, the beleaguered entrepreneurs would kill the pungent stench itself, which keeps tourists from staying long enough to support their businesses.

Locals?

They just check the breeze direction, before hiking the trails above The Cove. To do otherwise invites self-inflicted torture.

Most Cove swimmers no longer chance it.

Why ignore the prominent city-posted warnings of bacterial infection, one which is a real threat, because of what the now severely contaminated water poses? What about just breathing the air, which is worse than the hits to your sensibilities that you also get from the Animal Park or Zoo?

All this and more keeps The Emerald Crystal Cove always famous.

Its little beach village, despite dangers and the stench from the raw seal sewage and its bacteria below, is still choked, as ever, with visitors from around the world. I'm still here, after all, because I like living near vacation land.

Anyway.

Salt swimming pool, my place; valet parking; stench-free ocean-view - you coming? 

Image credit: snapped yesterday by @ktfabler

Story  ©  by @ktfabler. Thanks for dropping by. More stories, here.