The ocean awaits! The closer the group gets to the beach, the stronger the aroma of salt and sea creatures (mostly the seaweed making a stink) became. About a mile off from the beach house, everyone transformed back into humans. Surely the beach is empty now.

“Hi, Chase Richmond here,” Chase said, walking up to the front desk.

“Chase Richmond?” the receptionist asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. I put a reservation in a few hours ago, you know, the one with the large money attached?” Chase asked.

“Hmmmm…” the receptionist said, deep in thought.

There were four mini fans near the front desk, all of them were whirring loudly as they circulated the air. The receptionist scrolled through something on the computer. Clicking a few times, he opened up a file and glanced through that. He nodded a moment and burst out laughing.

“Well! What do you know?! Sorry, sir. Your reservation was canceled. You see…we don’t rent this beach to dead people…” the receptionist said.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“WHAT?!” Chase asked, infuriated.

“Yeah, you’re supposed to be dead. Sorry about that. Well, if you and you’re…uh…motley crew…want the beach, you’ll have to share. You’re LUCKY I’m not calling the police on you,” the receptionist said. “I got a good laugh out of it.”

“But that’s not fair! I’m not dead!” Chase wailed.

“Oh… That’s right… The Wiccy Burgers refused to accept your card as well, Chase!” Jane said, suddenly remembering.

“Well? Get out of my house! Enjoy the beach if you want. The water is a bit crowded, though,” the receptionist said, waving for everyone to leave.

One by one, the lions filed out of the beach house. Upon stepping out into the sandy shore, it became incredibly evident that EVERYONE had the same idea of visiting the beach. The sand was burning hot, but the ocean water was rather cold in comparison to everything else. Chase grumbled incoherently as he tried to find an empty spot to occupy.

“Too many people,” Chase said.

“Well…at least it’s something,” Jane said.

“How are we supposed to enjoy the beach?! We didn’t bring any towels or an umbrella!” Madeline yelled.

“I forgot, sorry,” Chase said.

A little bit of a cool breeze blew past. The waves rolled in, and then they retreated after a moment’s hesitation. Along with the roaring of the waves, there was the shouts and screams of beach goers enjoying themselves. Thomas sighed, sitting on the burning hot sand.

“Is anyone else hungry?” Thomas asked. “I could use a burrito right about now.”

“Burrito break?!” Chase asked, his eyes glittering happily.

“Sounds good to me. Mom?” Hand asked.

“Burritos! Where would we get burritos from?!” Madeline asked.

“I thought I saw a Mexican food cart on one of the boardwalks,” Thomas said.

“Burrito time it is!” Chase said.