It’s a shark! You quickly stop and drop your camera in surprise.
The shark wants nothing to do with you, though. It quickly swims back into the rocks. You wonder why…
But then a huge tentacle suddenly grabs you from behind!
Something has emerged from the crevasse behind you. Something big! Its shadow in the water is enormous! Its powerful tentacle smashes your light, leaving you in total darkness.
You swim for the surface. At least you hope it’s the surface. It’s your only chance at survival. Unfortunately, as you swim frantically, another tentacle snakes its way around your ankle. It pulls you back down to the ocean’s depths.
There’s no escape for you!
THE END
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The rocks are closer, but the crevasse is too tempting. Who knows how deep it leads? You won’t need to find out, though. As you swim near, your light catches a huge tentacle in the dark!
Click! Click! Click!
You snap numerous photos of the tentacle. Your heart races, hoping the beast within the crevasse will fully appear.
The tentacle waves about. It slips along the sea floor as if searching for the source of your light.
Come on, you think, snapping more images. Swim out just a little more.
Deep ocean trenches are some of the least explored places on Earth. Little is known about the creatures that live in them. Unfortunately, the creature does not. Fearing the thick tentacle may reach out and grab you, you swim back to the Valhalla. Crew members help you climb onto the ship, and you peel the scuba mask from your face.
“I saw something!” you report as Sven joins you.
You show him the photos. They aren’t entirely clear, but the shape of the tentacle is there. It’s hard to determine the size of it, though.
Still, although you can’t tell exactly how large the creature was, you consider your trip to Norway a rousing success!
THE END
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You have your scuba gear. But going into the water alone at night is a dangerous and possibly deadly move. You decide to remain on the boat with the video camera instead. You hope you can record something from the deck of the Valhalla.
As the night goes on, though, nothing appears. Sven comes to stand near you.
“Quiet night out here,” he says.
“Yes, sadly, it is,” you reply.
“We’ve got some spoiled fish in the cargo hold,” the captain suggests. “Perhaps a bit of bait will stir the waters.”
You think it over. You also have a special lure with your gear. It simulates a bioluminescent glow. Both seem like a good way to lure any large creatures to the water’s surface.
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You look out at the black water and the beam of light shining on the surface. Nothing.
Squid typically eat fish, crabs, or even other squid. Maybe Sven’s spoiled fish will be the perfect lure for any large squid nearby. Or maybe even a kraken!
You nod at Sven. “Let’s try that bait of yours,” you say.
He nods, then tells a crewman to retrieve the spoiled fish.
You can smell the fish before you can see it. The crewman, with his nose wrinkled, quickly ties it to a line and tosses it into the water.
For a while, the lure just bobs in the water. You train a spotlight on it. Then, you see something swimming around the bait.
“There!” You point to the shape.
“Aye, I see it,” Sven says, turning the boat. You begin moving toward the shape slithering beneath the surface. It’s big, and you’re not sure what it is. You lean close to get a better look, grabbing your camera and pointing it in the shape’s direction.
WHAM!
The large shape crashes against the side of the Valhalla. The blow causes you to drop the camera and grab for the railing. The camera teeters on the edge of the boat.
You lean over to grab it when…
WHAM!
Another blow strikes the boat. You’re knocked overboard!
You splash into the cold water. The shock of it takes your breath away as you go under.
When you come to the surface, you hear a distant crewman holler, “Man overboard!” The spotlight searches for you back and forth across the water.
You flail about to get their attention. “Over here!” you shout.
But you feel something brush against your leg—something big. You feel it begin to wrap around your body.
“Hurry! Help!” You kick at the creature, but it’s stronger than a boa constrictor. Just as the spotlight turns in your direction, it tugs you hard. You are pulled under the waves for good. You’ll never get to tell the story of your encounter with the legendary kraken.
THE END
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You consider Sven’s bait. Squid typically eat fish, crabs, and even other squid. Using the fish as a lure could work. But you brought the bioluminescent lure along for just this situation.
This would be the perfect time to use it, you think.
“I have an idea,” you say. “One that won’t make the whole ship smell like spoiled fish.”
“Ha!” Sven chuckles. “Then let me help you.”
Sven goes with you to get the lure. “I read about a scientist who photographed a giant squid using a bioluminescent lure,” you explain. “My team purchased one, and it could be perfect for this occasion.”
You remove the lure from its case and set it on the ship’s deck. It’s large, but you and Sven tie it to a thick rope and slide it into the water with a splash.
The lure glows a vibrant blue in the blackness of the sea. It’s almost magical.
Some ocean creatures have the ability to produce their own light. They use it to help capture prey, attract a mate, or for defense against predators. Soon enough, something swims near the side of the boat. You hit “record” on your camera and capture amazing footage of a large, tentacled creature. It is a giant squid, larger than any you’ve ever seen. It isn’t the kraken of ancient lore, but it’s still an amazing sight. Few people have seen a giant squid this close.
The entire crew of the Valhalla watches the amazing beast in awe.
THE END
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CHAPTER 3
THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA SERPENT
“Hmm, a sea serpent,” you say. “What a fascinating thing to try to track down.”
It’s been ages since you’ve traveled overseas. You decide that now is a good time to change that. You’ve always wanted to visit the Mediterranean Sea.
After buying your plane ticket, you read up on the mythical creature. Sightings of sea serpents have been reported for hundreds of years. According to legend, the creatures are often found near many coastal countries. Though not common, reports of the beasts continue even today.
Ancient sailors often described seeing huge, snakelike creatures that they called sea serpents during their voyages. Cryptozoologists have suggested that sea serpents are actually plesiosaurs or some other reptiles from the Mesozoic era. But that seems unlikely. You keep reading and learn that sea serpents are commonly mistaken for a large, long fish known as an oarfish.
Your travels lead you to the port city of Perama in Greece. It’s a beautiful, crisp sunny day when you arrive. The Mediterranean Sea glistens in an almost otherworldly blue. It’s easy to imagine mythical creatures swimming in its depths.
As you explore the city,
you stop at a street vendor for some souvlaki. The delicious grilled meat wrapped in a pita makes a perfect lunch. Children dash back and forth down the streets, and fishermen line the docks. You spy a sign reading “Boat Rentals” next to a small shack on the dock. It’s just what you were looking for.
As you approach the shack, a burly man exits the shack. He looks you up and down. “How can I help you, stranger?” he asks.
You explain your desire to search for the reported sea serpent. The man listens closely, stroking his thick black beard. Then he thrusts out a hand. “Name’s Stavros,” he says. “You’re in luck. I’ve got just the boat for you, serpent seeker.”
Stavros seems interested in your mission. As he takes you to his boat, he says, “You know, I’ve got the day free. Any interest in taking on a companion for a small fee?”
You think it through. You can manage your equipment yourself. But having a guide that knows the waters could be very useful.
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Having someone along that knows the area would help. But you’re a skilled oceanographer, and you know your way around a boat.
“Thanks for the offer,” you tell Stavros, “but I should be able to manage on my own.”
“Suit yourself, friend,” Stavros replies.
He leads you to a small vessel near the rental shack. The boat is a faded blue, with a worn deck and a small galley. “It’s not much,” Stavros says, “but it’ll serve you well out on the sea.”
“Thanks, Stavros,” you say. You hoist your case full of gear onto the boat’s deck and pay Stavros the rental fee.
“Be mindful of the wind,” Stavros says. “It could get choppy out there.”
You hadn’t noticed, but the wind has picked up. There are whitecaps on the waves outside Perama. Still, it’s nothing you can’t manage.
With a wave to Stavros, you fire up the boat’s engine and steer it safely from the docks. Before long, you’re out in the open water of the Mediterranean Sea. The salty wind brushes against your face.
Stavros was right, though. The whitecaps are making the waters rough. Waves begin to crash against the side of the boat, spilling onto the deck. It will be difficult to navigate the ship and try to capture images of the sea serpent.
You cross the deck to your case of gear and remove your camera and tripod. You try to get sample photos of the water, just in case the creature appears.
WHAM!
A strong wave strikes the side of the boat. You stagger to the side and grab the railing for support.
Large ocean waves can make navigating a boat or ship difficult. Maybe this is too dangerous, you think.
The water looks calmer near the coast by Perama. You could steer the small boat portside toward the shore. Or you could steer starboard and head into deeper waters. The waves may even out there.
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This may be too rough to do on my own, you think. Perhaps if you steer back toward Perama, you can find Stavros. He may still be interested in joining you.
Securing your camera, you hurry back along the slick deck to the helm. There, you twist the wheel to head back toward the shoreline. But as you turn the boat, it shifts directly into the waves.
CRASH!
Water spills over the boat, covering the deck in water. But you don’t worry yet. You’ve experienced ocean waves far larger and more powerful than these. Besides, you’ll soon be back along the safe shores of Perama.
CRASH!
Another wave splashes across the deck, jerking the wheel in your hands. Then you hear a sickening crunch that makes the boat tremble.
“Oh no!” you shout. “I’ve struck something!”
You don’t have to look below deck to know what happened. The boat has hit hidden rocks, and you’re taking on water!
You need to steer the boat back to shore fast—before it sinks. Unfortunately, your mission to capture photos of the sea serpent is over before it truly began.
THE END
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You’ve navigated harsh seas before. You know that if you head to deeper water, the waves could die down. You turn the wheel and steer the boat to open water.
SPLASH!
A heavy wave crashes against the side of the boat, tipping you back and forth. Water spills across the deck. Still, you fight against the waves.
After a time, the waves finally die down. Although the sea is still rough, the water is calm enough to manage the boat safely.
With the boat under control, you set up the camera and begin searching for the sea serpent.
After a while, you notice something moving in the distance. Your heartbeat quickens as a shape emerges from the water. As it surfaces, it looks like it has a spiky spine. Could it be a sea serpent? The creature is too far away to tell.
Ancient sailors may have mistaken humpback whales to be serpentlike creatures when they surfaced for air. How can I draw it closer? you wonder.
You check the boat’s small hold. There you find that Stavros has left a bucket of chum, or bits of dead fish. If you pour it into the water, you may get the creature’s attention.
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You really want to get good photos of the creature. The stinky chum bucket may be just the thing needed to draw it closer to the boat. You grab the dented bucket and wrinkle your nose in disgust.
You head to the boat’s deck and pour the bucket into the water with a sickening slop. The bloody remains stir in the waves. You toss the bucket aside with a clatter and ready your camera. There’s no way you want to miss this!
Soon there’s movement within the chum. Something snaps at the bits of dead fish. But it’s not the creature you saw before—it’s a shark.
WHAM!
As you watch the shark, the large creature strikes the side of the boat!
“Whoa!” You try to grab the boat’s railing, but it’s slick with water, and you can’t get a grasp.
Sharks can smell blood from a long distance. When chum is dumped into the ocean, it will quickly attract nearby sharks. You tumble overboard and hit the water with a loud splash. Quickly, you swim for the boat’s small ladder. But just before you reach it, you feel a tug at your leg. The shark isn’t alone. The chum in the water has drawn several more sharks. They’re in a feeding frenzy, with you in the middle!
Sadly for you, you’ll never learn what the creature was that you saw in the distance.
THE END
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You consider using the chum bucket. But you know it could attract the wrong kind of animals. You decide to leave the bloody bits of dead fish in the boat’s hold.
You head back to the boat deck and brace yourself with your camera. Soon, evening draws near, and the sky begins to grow dark. You hope the creature returns before it’s too late and you must turn back.
A few minutes later, the spiny shape breaks the surface to your left. You quickly swing the camera in that direction.
Click! Click!
You excitedly snap off several shots of a spiny hump before it’s swallowed by the sea.
“Got it!” you shout into the wind, pumping your fist in excitement.
“How was your adventure, friend?” Stavros asks with a smile as you pull the boat back into port.
You toss him a thick rope, and he ties the boat to the dock. “I think I have what I was looking for,” you tell him.
You head back to your hotel, tired but excited from your day’s search. Yo
u scroll through the images on your camera and find some good shots of the shape coming out of the water. Its spiky spine is visible and not as blurry as you imagined. It seems that you’ve caught evidence of—something. You can’t wait to share it with the world!
THE END
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“What do you say, friend?” Stavros asks with a smile. “I can steer the boat while you focus on your task.”
As an oceanographer, you’ve traveled alone before. You know your way around a boat. But having an extra hand on board could be helpful.
“Sure,” you reply. “Why not?”
Stavros laughs. “Good! Very good!”
He leads you to a small vessel near the rental shack. The boat is a faded blue, with a worn deck and a small galley. There, he takes your case from you and hoists it onto the boat’s deck.
“Let’s be off!” he says, heading for the boat’s wheel.
As Stavros fires up the boat’s engine, you untie the boat from the dock. Stavros then steers the boat away and heads out into open water.
“You will be glad to have me along,” he says. “The waters will be rough today!”
He’s right. The water has grown choppy, but your captain knows exactly how to manage the waves. Even as water crashes against the boat and spills across the deck, you easily set up your camera and tripod to capture images and video.
When you’ve reached deep waters, the rough waves calm, and it’s easier to see into the depths. You and Stavros spend the afternoon with your eyes on the sea.
“This serpent of yours, are you sure it’s not just an oarfish?” Stavros asks.
Can You Catch the Kraken? Page 2