The Big Pachyderm on the Beach (Preview)

A sign of salvation was up ahead. There was a drink stand, the kind that was set up at a county fair with a small tent over it. She could see a Pepsi sign set up and that was good enough for her. She rushed straight over.

Stepping underneath the tent and up to the counter, it felt as if the temperature dropped almost twenty degrees. It was so nice and cool that almost all of her frustrations floated away.

“Hello! How may I help you?” Kendra was knocked out of her cool bliss by a figure that approached on the other side of the counter.

It was a green witch of all people. The strangely colored woman had a professional smile on her face, wearing a black skirt and bikini. She adjusted her sharp glasses as she looked Kendra over. “I'm Traci, and I'm guessing you need something refreshing.”

“Oh,” Kendra mumbled. She cleared her throat and shook her head. Just a witch. Don't freak out or anything. She's just a person like anyone else. “I'm just trying to beat the heat for now. Walking has been burning me badly.”

“Well, a walk in the water would probably help that… but having one of our nice refreshments would too!” Traci winked, putting on her best saleswoman act.

Kendra weakly smiled. “Well, I'm sure, but I got to look around on the sand. My boyfriend is… playing a game with me.” She decided to explain the situation about the text and searching, not wanting to keep everything bottled up.

The witch nodded every so often, listening and not interrupting once. After Kendra finished explaining, Traci sighed. “Gees, it must be hard to find him when you're frying and so small.”

“Small?” asked Kendra.

“Frankly, your boyfriend sounds completely rude!” Traci went on, ignoring her. “Just leaving you out in the wind, frying under this sun as you play real-life Where's Waldo. You could probably use my help!”

“Oh, I couldn't possibly ask as a stranger. You probably have your own things here that need you around.”

“Trrrrruuuuue, buuuuut I would be remiss to not lend a little helping hand!” Traci turned and grabbed something out of the large cooler near her. She pulled out a plastic water bottle and placed it on the counter. It read “Vast Oasis” on it, the logo beneath a picture of a pool with palm trees around it.

“Enjoy!” The witch smiled. “It's on the house!”

“R-really?” Kendra was surprised by this turn. “I can just have this for free? Are you sure that's okay or-”

“It's fine!” Traci smirked, leaning in. “Think of it as a “I scratch your back, you scratch mine” sort of deal. Drink this as you walk out there and let people know where you got it. Free advertising for me, and it'll help you out there.”

Kendra nodded but couldn't help but feel it wasn't a fair deal. It was just a bottle of water that looked like any other bottle of water. People probably already had those or could get them from anywhere. Seeing someone with one out on the beach probably wouldn't attract much attention or get people to ask her where to get one. Sure, a witch was involved, but no one seeing just Kendra would know that.

Regardless, she didn't bring it up. “Thank you. I'll be… sure to do that.” The woman gave the witch a nod and stepped out back out into the sun.

And once she left that shaded canopy, the heat hit her all at once. Sweat started to form again, and her body began to slump. The cool bottle in her grasp called to her.

Kendra cracked it up and took a sip. She didn't know how long it would take her still, so she needed to pace herself.

Though that might prove difficult. One simple sip as she felt rejuvenated. The heat died down as a cool wave ran over her body. The sun's rays barely felt like they even shined down on her. Oh, that's good. I think I know why she wants me to advertise this thing.

She let out a simple sigh, feeling happier than she had been before she started her search. She felt a bit giddy, tickled even.

Though, the latter was literal. Just above her shorts, a nub had sprouted from her tail bone. It slowly grew and grew, skin turning gray as thick, brownish black hairs growing at its very end. By the time it had stopped, the nub had become a tail, swaying and brushing up against the back of her legs.