Deep sea vampires

"So when you get down there be sure to respect all wildlife and the local culture."

I giggled at the idea of respecting the culture of fish. Yes, I got that he meant not to disturb anything while scuba diving--probably good advice--but the thought of fish gathering around to have erudite conversations tickled me.

"And what's so funny, lass?" The grizzled captain turned towards me and I suddenly felt very small.

"Oh, sorry, I thought you were making a joke about the fish having like a deep cultural life--"

"That would be ridiculous."

"Uh, yes--I know--that's why I laughed?" I was trying to sound light but was growing increasingly nervous under his gaze.

"I don't mean the fish, lass." He was gravely serious.

Oh. OH. He must have meant like don't do things that would be dispectful to the local culture. Gods, I'm sure an idiot. "Oh, sorry, you meant like don't do anything that would disrespect where we are. Like this part is sacred to some people."

The captain harrumphed. "Haven't you ever heard of vampires, lass?"

I almost burst out laughing, but he was being so serious. "Uh, yeah. Pointy teeth, hate garlic and crosses."

"The stories get it all wrong, you know. Vampires used to walk the land and, aye, some still say they do and who am I to argue, but we sailors know that they walk the ocean floor."

I blinked at him.

"You think me a superstitious man whose head is filled with codswallop, eh?"

"I-er--"

"That be all right, you can think as you will, lass. But I know the truth."

I let the silence hang there for a moment. "So can I start my dive no--"

"First! They discovered that they didn't need to breath no more, so crossing bodies of water was no barrier to them. Then! They discovered that light only got so far down in the deep sea and so they made their home underneath the dark waves. They would surface at night to steal sailors off of ships by luring them with song. There are no mermaids or sirens, little lass, just talented vampiric songstresses."

I blinked again. I had clearly not done enough research on which business provided the best diving services. I would have to write a review after this. Though, if the dive went well, I suppose I would chalk it up to an eccentric captain and still recommend the place.

"Okay, I'll not disturb their culture," I said just to end the conversation.

The captain looked suspicious, but a little relieved. "Then you be ready." 

I put on my mask and flipped myself overboard. The water was gorgeous. At the surface, everything sparkled in the sunlight that dappled through the water. The colors of the fish were vibrant even as they scattered away from me.

I swam deeper though, I wasn't here to snorkel. I wanted to see the underwater caves. That's what I had come to this spot for. Before long I reached the cavernous maw of a cave. I swam inside and it got chillier. The captain's words echoed in my head, but I shoved them aside. I wasn't going to let a guy a little off his rocker ruin a perfectly good cave for me. Besides, I had been in plenty of caves before and the creepiest thing I'd seen was a shark (and that's a story for another time).

My eyes must be playing tricks on me, I thought as I swam deeper. I thought I saw movement in the shadows, but it must just be fish or else seaweed waving in the water. I was really letting this captain get to mee too much.

Then, I saw it, a corpse. How awful, I thought. I also thought that perhaps this is where the stories of the underwater vampires came from, corpses that had sunk so very far down. What should I do about it? I swam closer to get a better look to see if the body could be moved.

The watery eyes turned toward me and I saw a flash of teeth.

Well, shit.

(Prompt by Kimisha Cassidy)