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The Lonely Bay

There once was a town on the Lonely Bay, long, long before it was even called the Lonely Bay. The Beautiful fish-filled waters were named Moor’s Bay, the town, simply, Moor. Moor’s whole economy was based on the abundant amount of fish found in their bay, and this is the story of one fisherman, a fisherman named Ian McDunn who was there at the collapse of what once was a thriving town.
“Ahh, life is beautiful,” sighed Ian McDunn as he burst into the town bar after a day of fishing. He shrugged off his jacket and threw it on the coat hanger.
“Here to watch the game, Ian?” asked Larry the bartender.
“No, Rose is expecting me soon. I’m here for a quick drink of… you know what, make it a Duvel.”
“Ya got it!” Larry said as he slid the full mug of beer down the counter. Taking four long swigs, Ian Drained the mug, slapped a large tip on the counter, and made for the door. He grabbed his coat and went out into the semi-chilly street, hoping his wife, Rose, wouldn’t be angry at him for being late.
There was an odd smell in the air. McDunn stopped on his walk to his car. The smell had a hint of bitterness that awakened some sixth sense within him. Something was wrong. He turned around and headed for the alley behind the bar. Peeking around the corner, he saw two obviously drunk men harassing a young woman. Ian knew her. She was Lilly, the new dock attendant who made sure all boats were in by 6:00 pm. He started creeping towards the men.
They had finally trapped Lilly in a corner.
McDunn was now right behind the drunkards. He raised his fists then forcefully slammed down on their heads. The men fell in an unconscious heap.
“Sorry I didn’t arrive sooner,” said McDunn.
“It’s… okay,” sighed the terrified Lilly, “thank you.”
“It was no trouble, but how did you get caught up in this?” questioned Ian.
“I… was being stalked,” said Lilly, still catching her breath, “and when I was walking to the bakery, one grabbed me and threw me in this alley
“Not only that, they’ve destroyed my car,” she added as she looked around the corner.
“Come now, I’ll drive you home.”
The two headed for McDunn’s car in the lonely, cold night.
“Are you sure this is your house?” asked McDunn as he entered a neighborhood on the opposite side of town of his own. He thought about how angry Rose would be. What foolish thing to think! He knew that Rose would understand; she always does.
“Yes”, said Lilly, now perfectly relaxed.
“Car insurance is a wonderful thing,” smiled McDunn. Lilly laughed and the car came to a stop.
She opened the door and said, “once again, thank you Mr. McDunn. I hope your wife isn’t fretting over your absence.”
So polite, thought McDunn, many say the younger generation is a group of slobs, I now have proof to disagree, “She’ll understand. Well, see you at work tomorrow.”
“Bye,” she said as she stepped out onto the curb.
Ian turned his car around, heading for home, where he knew Rose would welcome him back. He continued his drive through the center of town, enjoying the moonlight playing on the streets and buildings. He veered to the right, how he hated that turn. It was as if you were going to turn back, but not quite. Oh how it came so suddenly!
McDunn sighed as he continued his trip to his neighborhood for about twenty minutes, and turned into the suddenly suburban lane of houses known as Dellview.
Slowing down, he made a turn into the driveway of the stucco house he knew as his own. Ian pushed a button and the garage door opened. He slid the car and parked the car in it with practiced ease.
McDunn opened the car door and went into the house. The house seemed lonely like… the ocean. Somehow this made sense to Ian. The lights were off, the kitchen he found himself in seemed to have lost its vibrancy, and worst of all…Rose wasn't talking on the phone loudly like she always does, nor was she watching TV or doing anything else, so it seemed.
He started walking through the house. Living room, family room, dining room, all empty. He strode up the stairs and noticed a faint light coming from the bedroom.