A Few of Dugz's Short Stories

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Dugz surfaced the water breathing in a sturdy breath, calm and unhurried. He slipped off his mask and checked his watch. One minute, thirty seconds. He gave himself a small, satisfying grin and nod. I'll take it he said to himself.

He looked up towards his towel's and belongings on the beach. Snacks and some relaxing time were waiting for him-and after these dives, they were well deserved.

As he took in the cool scene around him, Dugz couldn't help but feel lucky. This was easily one of his favorite spots- Blind Pass Beach in Englewood. Just behind the stretch of white sand was Manasota Beach Road, quiet and peaceful. In front of him, nothing but stunning turquoise water and a wide, clear blue sky. Moments like this made everything else feel very far away.

Dugz took a deep breath and said to himself, "alright, lets go grab a little sunshine and beach time."

As Dugz slowly waded through the water toward the beach, a ripple to his right caught his eye. He turned- and gasped, "What the..?" Dugz froze. The hairs on his arms stood up. Scared? Nah- not scared . Hell Dugz had served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He knew fear. This was not that. Lets just say he was..... startled.

" Geez," he muttered, eyes locked on the Thing. "What the--"

The creature drifted closer, breaking the surface. It's eyes met his, wide and  glistening sort of.. It had a mouth. Ears. But...?

Then, impossibly, almost like a dream it opened it's mouth and said: " Howdy Dug. How's your day?'

Taken aback and a little spooked, Dugz couldn't help but grin. This was insane- but not the craziest thing he'd seen in his life.

He squinted at the creature, sizing it up. "A talking seahorse?" he asked, half laughing, half-wary.

The creature blinked slowly, as if offended. "Do I look like a seahorse to you, Dug?"

Then- to Dugz surprise- it actually smiled. A smooth, uncanny grin. "Am I talking to you, Dug?" it asked, tilting it's head. "Well then...I guess you just answered your own question." It floated a little higher in the water, grinning wider. "Sure enough, " it said with a shrug. "A talking seahorse."

"Dug, my name is Moultre Arte Zouz," the creature said, voice calm, almost melodic. "But out here, in this beautiful vast stretch of water, I'm known as MOAZZ." Moazz gave a courteous dip of it's head-part formal, part playful. "It's a pleasure meeting you." 

Dugz raised an eyebrow. "Moazz the...the talking seahorse?"

"Lets not get hung up on species," Moazz said, grinning again. You're here. I'm here. And life's about to change for both of us."

(July 25, 2025. James Towne) 

Dugz scanned the beach, still half-convinced it was some kind of setup. He looked around, trying to steady himself. A talking seahorse? No. That can't be real.

Just then he heard Moazz's voice cut through his thoughts. "You coming back out here to the beach tomorrow, Dug?"

Dugz looked back at Moazz. "Yeah, I was planning on being here in the morning. Why? What's going on tomorrow?"

Moazz smiled. "Nothing. I'd just like to talk more. But there are people coming down the beach, and I have to go. We'll see each other tomorrow. Man, Dug- it was awesome meeting you. See you in the morning, my friend."

Dugz turned, scanning the sand for anyone approaching. When he looked back, Moazz was slowly sinking beneath the water. In an instant, he was gone-no splash, no ripple, no trace at all.