ECLIPSE

V

Felix Navaryous

I am walking to the place where I feel at peace; at the ocean. No one in this town usually goes there because of stupid rumours.

I heard that the ocean of this town is bad luck because of sirens with beautiful voices that draws men off their feet or shall I say, plunge them into the waters. There's really no concrete evidence that it's real, just reported cases that there are fishermen that used to fish there that got missing.

Personally, I think that their boat sank and they drowned. I mean, it's tragic but it's a natural occurrence that the ocean can have big storms with big waves. People just wanted something to fear sometimes.

It's better the rumours exist anyway, or the place would be crowded.

One reason that I want to go there was because I need to get out of the house, to get away from dad.

Earlier, he's a bit sober again. What I mean about sober is that he's starting to get insane and mad because there's no more alcoholic drinks left.

“Where are the drinks?!” he yelled when he checked the fridge.

I was just eating silently at the table. I didn't answer him.

“I said, where are the drinks?!” he yelled again and this time, he faced me. I saw his bloodshot eyes staring at me with rage. When he yelled, I felt a shower of saliva landed on my face.

“Why would you ask me everytime you ran out of drinks? You're the only one who drinks like there's no tomorrow,” I answered expressionless.

He held the back of a chair to keep his balance and then decided to pull the chair and sat. He leaned his body and rolled his head upwards.

“Go buy me some drinks, son,” he said with his usual drunk voice.

I scoffed, “Why don't you go buy it yourself,” I stood up and walked out.

“And don't call me son,” I said as I turned my head back, just enough to see him.

I continued to walk again but I paused when I hear him say, “You know, your mother wouldn't like this kind of behaviour of yours, son; disrespecting your father.”

“Oh sure, she wouldn't. But, she would hate you for being a careless and an alcoholic man,” I said and grit my teeth.

I heard him smashed the table with his fist. I ignored it and went to the door, grabbed my backpack, swing it to my shoulders and went out.

I arrived at the gate where it leads to the ocean. It's locked, so I have to climb up. This place is locked up because of the siren rumours.

I jumped and got hold of the top of the gate. Then I try my best to get my left leg on top and so on and so forth, until I landed at the other side.

I immediately hear the waves crashing. I walked and the sand made my shoes sank a little bit every step I take.

When I'm near the ocean, I sat at the big boulder where I usually sit whenever I come here.

I looked at the waves crashing in the sand. I felt tiny splashes on my skin. The wind made my hair more messy but I didn't mind.

It's a beautiful sight, it made me feel nostalgic.

When mom was still alive, we used to go to the beach. All smiles and laughter, like we're made to live the happiest.

Life was happier and livelier back then. Now, I am still living and breathing, yet it feels like nothing. Just like a void; empty.