A Good Catch

After a particularly stressful week in court, Alan was grateful to get away for a few hours. Donna was fighting him hard for custody. Good thing he had the better lawyers. There was no way he was going to let her have the boys. Especially, since SHE was the one who walked out.

He pulled his hair back, placing the cap on his head to block the sun. Filling the tank, Alan started the motor and left the mainland. The sun was just beginning to rise by the time he was able to settle into his favorite spot. He had purchased some special bait, apparently the fish really responded to it. It certainly didn't take long before he saw his line begin to wriggle. He shook his head in wonder at how quickly he had filled his bucket. It didn't surprise him, Alan was used to succeeding. He wouldn't allow anything less.

He looked around at all the others fishing beside him. He enjoyed it here. Away from her, her whining and those bratty snot-nosed brats she gave birth to. He didn't want to go back yet. Setting up a beach recliner, Alan cut the motor, deciding to drift for a while, enjoying the scenery as the boat soothed his frayed nerves. His eyes began to close as the gentle rise and fall of the boat lulled him to sleep.

"Bang!" Alan's eyes snapped open at the sound. He bolted upright, knocking off his cap, his hair flying wildly. He didn't see anything. But, it was a little difficult, as there wasn't much light. Cursing out loud, he got up to turn the boat around. It was going to cost him a small fortune returning the boat so late. Maybe he will just buy it. Shrugging, he powered up the boat.

"PPPppppp, PPPppppp, PPPppppp," The motor sputtered, not turning over. "Damnit!" Alan shouted aloud. He was stuck out here in the middle of nowhere. Running over to his gear he dug through his personal belongings, quickly finding his cell phone. Unbelievable! He actually had a signal.

The phone rang twice before Josh picked up the phone. "Hey, Mr. Smith what do you need?" Breathing easier knowing that Josh would handle things, Alan explained where he was and told him to arrange transport back. "Right away, sir, I will send someone right over."

Alan sat down, knowing he was in for a long wait. He thought he saw a shadow on the water and used a piece of wood to steer the boat toward it. No, it wasn't a creature, it was money. That was very odd... But, someone else's loss was his gain. He lived by that rule.

He reached out, grabbing for the packets of money, only to have it move out of his reach. Cursing, he pushed the boat toward the money, but it didn't matter, no matter how close he brought himself to the money, it was just outside of his range.

Alan was not going to quit. More than any other incentive, money always got him to achieve more than most thought he could. Anchoring the boat, he angled himself over the side, stretching his hand, straining to reach even further. Almost... almost... one more push and he grinned in victory as his fingers closed around the money.

Holding tight to his newly found treasure, Alan's eyes widened in surprise and he gave a yelp of pain. Without enough warning to stop momentum, he was pulled into the water, the strength of his captor and the current dragging him off the boat as he wriggled and struggled to stay aboard. He thrashed and screamed for help. But, it didn't help, and not even a bubble was left as he sunk under the water for the last time.

Twenty minutes later, the coastguard arrived at the little boat. After calling for Mr. Alan Smith, they searched the boat and found it deserted. There were no signs of a struggle, all they found was a beach chair, a bag full of his belongings and a wet two-by-four.

For months the search continued. Donna, his ex-wife, originally was thought to be involved somehow. But, despite their animosity for each other and the bitter court fight that had been ongoing, she was cleared of any wrong doing. She and her two sons counted their blessings and moved away to begin their lives over, free from his tyranny and his abuse.

And, no one noticed. No one noticed the family of fish hiding in the nearby underground caverns. Even if seen, who would think twice? People came to fish in these waters all the time. And, the fish enjoyed their home. They enjoyed it here. It was cozy and warm. They were grateful to have found those green piles bound together. It was a stroke of luck actually. Their prey seemed to be attracted to those the most. And, the ones who did reach for it kept them well fed, very well fed indeed.