A boy swore he’d seen ripples moving unnaturally fast near the breakwater, like something long and dark had darted past. A fisherman claimed his traps had been emptied overnight, another insisted the gulls had vanished because they sensed the beast.
Fear turned quickly into ritual. Salt was scattered on doorsteps. Charms hung from windows. Some swore they wouldn’t take their boats out again until the “curse” had passed. Erik listened, jaw tight, and said nothing.