Ah, summer…., thought Susie, as the teen let out a blissful sigh.
The sixteen-year-old lounged on a poolside chair, bathing in the June sunlight. It was a small community pool, in the middle of the suburbs. School was over, and all Susie wanted was endless relaxation. The only mild interruption was the splashes and shouts of her young siblings.
“Eeek! Shark!!”, Katie squealed, laughing as Billy pounced from the surface; his mouth open like jaws from a Great White. The two young kids were just two years apart, with Katie being the eldest at nine years old. Even when playing outside their house, they were always this loud.
“No, I’m Cthulu!”
“What’s Cthulu?”
“I’m a monster with a squid face!! RAAAAGH!!! I’M HERE TO DESTROY YOU!!!”
The kids laughed some more, as Billy pretended to yank at Katie’s brown hair with his teeth. “Susie, come play with us!”, Katie called.
“I’m good, guys,” Susie replied. Her siblings splashed on, and Susie’s eyes didn’t even open to look.
She’d put her music on, but her mother told her to keep watch over her siblings. So at least she had to keep her ears open. Not that Katie and Billy would get in trouble; they got along well. The only things they'd squabble over were the occasional toy they had to share between each other. Plus, Katie was a pretty good swimmer. Still, it’ll be nice if a lifeguard was around, just so Susie can keep peace of mind.
Actually, where is everyone? They were literally the only ones at the pool today, which would be normal if it were a cold day in November. But on a summer day like this?
Maybe everyone’s off to lunch, Susie thought, forgetting that it’s 2:15 in the afternoon. Sandaled footsteps slapped upon the pool concrete, and Susie peeked one eye out.
Sure enough, a lifeguard in a red hat was coming in from the main pool building, and was heading to his post. Something made Susie open her other eye too.
He looked like a lifeguard. After all, he had a whistle around his neck, and a white T-shirt with the words ‘Lifeguard’ on it.
The problem was everything else. His skin was pale, like someone who’s never seen sun his entire life. And he had a face that blurred, like a censored photograph. Even as he approached, Susie couldn’t see any features on his face.
“Having fun today, kids?”, said the strange lifeguard, in a chipper voice that seemed absolutely normal.
“Uh, yeah?”, said Susie, staring at the faceless man. Was something wrong with her eyes? Katie and Billy had stopped their play, and were looking curiously at the lifeguard too.
“Y’know, it’s a nice summer day,” he went on, with hands by his hips. “Maybe you should join in with your siblings! Take a dip! Have a little fun!”
“Um….I’m fine,” Susie replied, as a sudden sense of dread began rising. The pool water rippled, as she and her siblings kept eyes on the stranger. The lifeguard didn’t budge, as his hands stayed on his hips. Silent.
“Uh, mister lifeguard?”, said Billy, his head tilting. “What’s wrong with your face?”
In the middle of that blurred face, two bright, yellow lights glowed.
And something began to change…