Loch Ness

"I see her! I see her!" I squeak from my lookout. The wind masks my weak voice as I struggle to call down to the guards below. Quickly I climb down from my watch, leaving my post abandoned. But for good reason, I tell myself. As I gather my wits in a heap of panic, I make my way towards my captain. My words are weak against his callous presence, like tiny drops of rain fighting a monsoon. But they find their way to untangle themselves from my tongue and he hears the pleading base behind them. Every man is called to leave his station, every soldier discards his responsibilities and in turn craves the curious monster at sea. We wait until the Highland winds have burned through our armor and into our flesh, chilling our bones without hesitation. The anticipation strings between us like a steady bargain and soon our hopeful thoughts become weary. Slowly I rock back and forth, waiting for the Loch's monster to show itself once more. And then nothing. The crowd slowly dwindles down until I stand alone on the castle's wall, still believing in something that never was. Just as my eyes' final protests pound against my strained lids, a flicker of hope sparks. This time, I'm silent. The wind blows past me rather than through and I can feel my voice growing stronger within. It builds and builds as I watch the monster cascade through broken waves, slinking through the open waters. Just as I open my mouth, a second thought, she's gone. And I stay there with the Loch's numbing cold bitting at my skin, never to see her again.