🥚Turtle Writing🐢

“Arturo, when in trouble and may have a limited amount of time to live, turn this clock” my father said when I was a child and handed me a small clock. 

Many years later, when my father has already died, I am walking alone on a beach with golden sand and crystal clear water. Just then, I noticed five ghost crabs surrounding something. Slowly, as if not to disturb them, I sneak over to them. There was a massive hole and the crabs were eating turtle eggs! Enraged, I stomp on the soft sand so the crabs scuttled away. There was only one egg left. I can’t let this happen again! I gently scoop up the egg and observe it in my hand. It was a pearly white with a bit of sand on it. I dust it off and stare at the serene water. I really want to go swimming, but I can’t leave the egg alone! Well, if it can survive five ghost crabs, surely it can survive the water! I'm no expert, but I feel like it will be okay. 

The water is warm, so I dive in. The seafloor is decorated with bright colours and coral. I am in awe of the sea’s beauty. I check if I still have the egg. Still there. Whew. But something feels strange. Something is lurking beneath me. Frightened to death, I slowly turn my head downwards. I gasp but end up choking as my snorkel was under the water. A gargantuan whale shark was swimming underneath me with its jaws wide open! I panic. We are doomed. 

Suddenly, I remember my father’s gift. The clock! The monstrous thing is getting closer now. Without hesitation, I turn the clock. I have the sensation of flying and everything around me is blurry. Wind was howling and whirling around me, and finally I land on my bottom with a thump.

Dizzy, I stand up and stumble around. Where am I? What is this place? Why did the clock take me here? The egg! My fingers fumble to my pocket. Still safe. I lift my head and take a look at where I am. A stone road goes far into the fog, further than I can see. Although I was not willing to do it, I follow the spooky path. 

Just then, I realized that this place was a ghost town. All the shops were deserted and not a single person was around. Well, at least I think there is no one around. As quiet as a mouse, I continue walking and finally came to a stop. A beach! It's not the same one where I came from but it looks perfect for the egg! But my heart sinks. There was a river going in between the beach and the road that no one could survive if they attempted to go through it! But then I remember that the clock was the key to everything; the key to moving through time and space. So I flawlessly turn the clock and everything, everything goes black.

A light from the heavens must have shined on me because I almost go blind from the brightness. Slowly, I sit up. I hear the rushing of the river and turn my head. Okay, I am on the beach now. I feel for the egg. Once again, still safe. Wobbly, I stand up and survey the place. Just like the other beach, crystal clear water with golden brown sand. Maybe I can find a safe place here. I find a piece of driftwood and place the egg next to it. But I sense someone behind me. Maybe a shift of sand, or a change of air currents. I turn around and get the fright of my life. 

A tall man with a beard that goes down to his belly button is standing before me. He smiles. “I have watched you, watched you care for this turtle. Your love for it is great Arturo.” I am kind of creeped out by this strange man but I stand my ground. I hear a

cracking sound behind me. I whip around and see that the egg has hatched! The man looks at it and says, “Your love has hatched you egg, but I think you must let go of it now.” I nod. Yes, I do love the turtle, but it will have to be on its own now. “Will it be safe?” I ask. “It will be safe from any harm now. If you turn the clock once more, you will be back where you started.” I have a million questions but I must go now. I turn to the man. “Thank you.” I then kneel in front of the turtle. “Goodbye, turtle” Its epic journey was only the beginning.