The Archives (vol.4)

This was a writing exercise from my high school Writer's Craft class.  It's possible that something larger could develop from this, but the people of this sleepy town haven't spoken to me yet.

Ray was becoming somewhat uneasy.  There was something going on here, but what it was was a mystery.  It was like something from a Stephen King novel:  a sleepy town with a dark secret.  The people gathered in anticipation while the tourists happily swam about.  Ray thought he saw something under the water, but he couldn't be sure.  His mind was running away with him now.  He needed to calm down.
Old Joseph was the oldest citizen in Sunny Fields.  He had been there since the first plague.  He was one of the lucky ones.  The others hadn't been so lucky.  He remembered it all too well.  The people screaming, the smell of burning flesh.  God, it was horrible.  But these were better days.  Joesph saw an odd looking man standing across from him.  He was from out of town.  He didn't know what had happened here.
The water began to boil, as if it was being heated.  Some of the tourists ran out, but others were not as fast.  They fell in and drowned.  Tradition had its casualties.  A woman rose from the water, wearing only a thin gown of what looked like seaweed.  Old Joseph rubbed his eyes.  It had been so long since he'd seen her last.  He thought she would never return.  Every year since 1910 they had waited, but nothing ever came until today.  The woman lingered a moment, then walked over to the newcomer and placed a hand on his cheek.  Old Joseph was surprised and somewhat angry.  Why hadn't she chosen a native of Sunny Fields?  What made him so special?  He reminded himself not to get excited yet.  The response was the most important part.
Ray stood dumbfounded.  A mermaid or something had just walked up to him and touched him.  She felt real enough, but it all seemed too dreamlike to be real.  Yet there he was.  Ray looked around as if waiting for an answer.  It seemed that he waited too long.  The mermaid grew fangs and sharp claws, and attacked with lightning speed.  Ray put up a fight, but it wasn't enough.  The mermaid soon devoured Ray then sank back into the sea.
Old Joseph shook his head in dismay.  He should have went with her, dammit!  Now it was going to happen again.  The people ran around panicking.  Joseph just couldn't endure another event like this.  So, with no other option, he walked slowly into the sea.  He would make it right.  He would save them all.