A Curious Case (Chapter 1) - the creature x reader
Note: Sorry this took so long, I was struggling with figuring out how to write this. Next chapter will probably have the first appearance of the creature. Also the pace will speed up in later chapters i just struggle with getting the plot going lol.
Summary: You are a researcher of the occult looking to uncover physical proof of a monster after having been rescued by one as a child. Takes place a few years after the movie.
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The cry of a fog horn cuts through the thick walls of the ship, stirring you from your sleep. Your hand comes to cradle the back of your neck instinctively, sore from yet another night spent at the confines of your desk. You peer down to the long abandoned novel sitting atop it, now decorated with a fresh imprint of your drool. Gross. Not like it was very interesting, apparently.
You close the book softly, rising from the rickety old chair with a crack of your back. Now fully awake, you cannot ignore the incessant thrum of boots coming from the floor above, interrupting any thoughts of getting into bed proper. Seems like everyone else was up and active despite the early hour. Perhaps a giant tentacled beast has come to save you from an eternity of stale air and even staler rations.
Denying yourself any more time to sink into such morbid fantasies, you make your way up the cramped stairway and onto the main deck, hoping to quell your never-ending seasickness. Upon doing so, you are met with a gust of cool arctic air, and the unmistakable sight of land in the distance. It still seems ever so far with the thick white fog blanketing the shoreline, but judging by the seamen juggling ropes and luggage, you can bet your arrival won’t be too long now.
“I’m sure you’re glad to be rid of us soon, eh?” a witty voice approaches from behind. “Can’t blame ya, not everyone’s cut out for sea life.” You turn to see a young man dressed in sailor’s garb, a familiar face, one you’ve often seen running menial tasks around the ship. Had never bothered to get his name though.
You huff with the hint of a smile, releasing your anxious hold from the rail. “Can’t imagine why.”
“Yet you came all the way ‘ere. Most don’t go so far in their whole lives.” He quips back, “Love is it? You don’t have the air of those scholarly or merchant types about you.”
The nerve on this man.
“The reason for my travels is mine to know, and it’s not love.” You can’t help but scoff, as if the very idea were absurd. This is a very serious expedition, you thought to yourself.
“Right, sorry missus. Just curious is all. Not often we get such mysterious guests coming along with us.” The man continues to follow as you begin making your way back inside, earning him a strange glance from over your shoulder. “I’m only ‘ere to help with your luggage, if that’s alright.”
You nod, knowing very well how much you overpacked for this journey. You’d brought all of your professional- and very expensive- scientific equipment, since you still weren’t very sure what kind of anomalies your research could produce. You’re lucky the rough seas didn’t cause your glass instruments to shatter.
Of course you were also sure to bring many objects of self defence, including an old pistol gifted onto you by your father. Not like you’d ever plan on using it. A gun never threatened the devil. A crucifix, however, might come in handy.
Upon entering your small cabin, you feel the presence that had been previously following quite closely come to a halt at your doorway. You look from your desk- cluttered with wooden stakes, syringes, and god knows what else, and back to the man, now sporting a look of raw bewilderment.
“Don’t-” You turn back quickly, stepping between the mess and the man, “Don’t bother asking. It’s a.. Hobby of sorts. Artistic, really.”
He nods.
“Perhaps it is best if you return later. I’ll need some time to gather my things,” You gesture behind him, trying your best to offer a polite smile as he turns to leave.
By the time you’d secured your trunk and fastened your satchel shut, the ship was already making its stop into port. The sailor boy returned not long after, helping bring your baggage up to the ramp outside.
Your trunk hits the planks with a particularly hard thud, earning you a nervous wince as you can only hope nothing fragile was damaged. Your personal bag now sits heavy upon your shoulder, stuffed full with journals and the select few novels from your home to keep you company.
Waving goodbye to the man, you turn your gaze to the small port town ahead of you. This is, of course, not your final destination, but instead the closest town with means to travel to and from by sea.
Before leaving home you had managed to make contact with a smaller settlement, one which isn’t very far from the last sightings of your venerated monster. These people, bless their kind souls, offered you lodging in an unused cottage after expressing interest in their local folklore for an upcoming novel. You never felt keen about lying- if you could call it that- but couldn’t risk losing your biggest lead to date.
Perhaps this discovery could lead to a positive outcome for everyone, at the least.
With a huff and a puff you manage to drag your trunk to the nearby inn, which happens to be the only inn between this town and the next.
The warm rush of air greets you as you enter, the chill from your bones washed away. You make a quick sweep of the room before seating yourself at a table by the door. It seems the first floor of this establishment also works as a restaurant of sorts, with someone tending a small bar in the corner.
Time passes by through the window, early morning sun rising into the afternoon sky. A few drinks (of your choice) pass you by in the meanwhile, a good book perched between your hands. It wasn’t until nearly supper time when your attention was snapped back to the present, as an older man entered the establishment. His hair was speckled gray and flocked with fresh snow, his features kind and warm. Despite never having met, you suspect this is the man you are meant to be meeting.
Your suspicions are confirmed when he strolls towards where you are sitting. You’d be surprised by his vigilance, if you were not one of the only patrons here at the moment, and not the only one currently with luggage.
He calls your name first, and with a responsive turn of your head, he offers a hand. “Good afternoon, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
The man’s name is Peter, which you know from having exchanged a few letters over the last year or so. He and his family own a sheep farm up north, and just happen to have an old abandoned research cabin further out on their property.
“The same to you.” You smile, returning the handshake. “Please, sit. It must be terribly cold outside.”
“Thank you, but it’s all right.” He nods to the window beside you. “We’d best be leaving as soon as we can. Don’t want to be riding in the dark for too long. Besides,” He smiles “I’m sure the wife and kids can’t wait to meet you.”
You tuck your book into your satchel before rising from where you sat. Peter offers you a hand with your trunk, and the two of you work in tandem to haul it back outside. There, you see not a carriage, but a sled, with twelve dogs in tow. How curious.
He must’ve noticed the shift in your expression, as he began chuckling to himself. “I know this might seem a little strange to you, but it is simply the most reliable at this time of year.” He pats a seat on the sled. The bed of it is packed with a thick woolen blanket, and is incredibly spacious. “Anyways, make yourself comfortable. It’s going to be a long ride.”
A long ride it was.
As the sight of the town behind you faded into the plains of snow, so did the light into an amber glow. For a long time you were fascinated by the unfamiliar landscape around you, and another long amount of time was spent talking back and forth with your friendly acquaintance. He asked about your studies as an author, and what life was like in a big city like London. In turn you asked him about the opposite, about life in the cold and the dark.
Night had long since fallen by the time you’d spotted a warm light approaching in the distance. You could see even more of them in the distance, like a constellation of candlelight to welcome you home. Home for the next few months, at the very least.
Peter was quick to usher you inside upon your arrival, insisting you get inside to warm up and meet everyone while he goes to let the dogs out into their kennels.
When you’d opened the door you were met with the pungent smell of fresh stew, followed by the skittering of small footsteps before being charged at by three small children. You had no time to collect yourself before the questions started. They could barely get half a sentence out before another would interrupt with the very same thing.
“Children, what did I tell you before?” A stern voice rings out from the kitchen in the back, and the children seem to deflate immediately.
All three in semi-unison, “To clean up before dinner..”
“Right, so get to it.” She continues, stepping out to show herself as the kids scurry off once again. Despite her tone, the look on her face is anything but harsh. She gestures you in with a small gesture, and you can’t help but oblige.
The place itself is quaint, humble like everything seems to be out here. A large stone hearth sits in the center of the main room, emitting a glow to each of the four corners. Small and clearly handmade decorations line the wooden walls, adding to the comfortable atmosphere. Although anything warm and soft would seem quite luxurious when compared to the rugged terrain outside.
It wasn’t long before Peter returned, shrugging off his wet coat to join the lot of you at the dinner table. The rest of their children joined too. In total there were 8 of them, all sitting together snugly at the table. The younger children stared, whereas the others would simply glance your way as the conversation led on.
Alma, which you learned is the name of Peter’s wife, suggested that you and her eldest son make a trip into town tomorrow to pick up some supplies for both your cabin and their groceries, since they needed to stock up either way. Despite your exhaustion, you agreed, thinking it would be a good chance to familiarize yourself with the local townsfolk and brush up on any recent news.
Finally, after a long night of explaining your life overseas, your shaky career, and macabre interests- which just happened to slip out, much to your dismay- you were able to excuse yourself to bed. Although it had already gotten rather late, and it no longer seemed feasible to get yourself set up in the cabin tonight. Especially not when it hasn’t been occupied in at least a decade.
The couple were kind enough to offer you a small bed of blankets and hay for the night, which although uncomfortable, was better than trying to fend for yourself on the first night here.
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