Cold Skin Page #3

and he kills her children.

Another riddle.

It's a matter of necessity.

Has it ever occurred to you

that it might be her wailing

that attracts the beasts?

Then why would they attack some nights

and not others?

Why would she lure her own kin

to die on the rocks?

The only thing

you need to understand,

is that we are the invaders,

which makes us the enemy.

Kill and conquer,

that's what we humans do.

You want to conquer them,

is that it?

Oh no, I want to exterminate them.

Need more timber.

Why?

Haven't attacked in weeks.

You like sleeping in my lighthouse.

Faded.

Far away.

Dissolved.

And quite forgotten.

My eyes have scrutinised every surface

a thousand times.

We speak of the lighthouse

and its environs as if

it were an entire state.

Every nook and cranny

has a name.

Every rock,

every stone.

Maybe they migrate

like the whales in winter.

Or maybe the creatures reason

they can't defeat us.

They're beasts.

They're out there gathering

in numbers for their next attack.

You're on watch.

Although it may seem strange,

the lulls between fighting are often

worse than the battles themselves.

This void is accompanied

by the mascot's change in attitude.

How could Gruner lie

with one of the very same monsters

that plague us every night?

How did he manage to justify the act,

in defiance of all the obstacles

set down by civilization,

set down by nature?

How could he get closer..

And closer..

And not be repelled

by her cold skin?

I have decided to give her a name.

Aneris.

Down!

- When'd we run out of potatoes?

- We didn't, you're drinking 'em.

You play?

What civilized man doesn't?

These beasts really are

a fascinating species.

Their blood, for example.

I imagine that it must

share the properties,

of some Arctic fish,

containing a kind of antifreeze

helping them survive

in sub-zero conditions.

Have you noticed that

they've got two sets of eyelids?

The first very much like ours,

but the second is

a transparent membrane

helping them when they dive,

I would imagine.

We could capture specimens,

take them back to Great Britain

or to the United States,

present our discovery,

and we would be celebrated..

Alright you've got me.

I came down to the arsehole

of the world to become famous..

alright?

Check! Now shut up and play.

Checkmate.

Ehh, ehh, ehh.. it can't be.

- It.. it just.. just can't be.

- Now calm down Gruner, it's only a game.

- King.. pawn..

- It can't be!

We forgot the light. Galley deck.

Come out, there's too many.

There's too many.

So whatta we do now?

Starry night..

As I was sleeping.

One starry night..

As I lay in bed..

I dreamed I heard..

Iron wheels creakin'.

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