Megalodon Riptide

by Watts, Russ

  “Luke, got a minute?”

  Jonah touched my shoulder and I jumped.

  “Sorry, guess I was lost in my thoughts.”

  “Time to leave. I thought now would be a good time to ask you what your plans were.”

  I watched Manny help Ava coiling a thick length of rope around some sort of stanchion at the base of the A-frame. I admit I felt a pang of jealousy but as the engine kicked in I looked at Jonah, bringing my mind back into the present.

  “Weir and Gills are getting us underway.”

  “I should wake Pippa and Chelsea,” I said, half of my mind watching Ava, the other half knowing I had to talk to Pippa.

  “Leave them,” replied Jonah. He drew his oilskins together and I noticed the chill in the air.

  “So what’s the plan?” I asked. “You want me to help, like, cast a net or something? I don’t really know how this works but I want to chip in. We’re not here for a free ride, Jonah.”

  “Appreciate that and I wouldn’t expect it any other way. We have more mouths to feed, so you’ll all have to help out. But baby steps, Luke, baby steps. First thing I need to know is how long you want to stay on my boat?”

  Jonah looked at me intently and I felt like I was ten years old again explaining to my father how I’d scratched the side of his vintage corvette. If I didn’t answer this right I could feel another beating coming on. “Well, I need to talk things over with Pippa, but I’m thinking it would be good if we could stay a while. We have nowhere to go and quite frankly I don’t know where to go.”

  Jonah nodded but said nothing. I filled the silence with nervous energy.

  “Like I said, we’re happy to help and I think Pippa and Chelsea are grateful to have this chance. I can’t say for sure if they’re going to want to stay days, weeks or months, but we hadn’t really thought what would happen next. The apartment was all about living day to day, rationing what we had and hoping you’d turn up before the building caved in. Now that I’m out here it feels different. I don’t feel so trapped. I can see you’ve got something here, Jonah. It feels good to be a part of it. Maybe I should’ve pushed Pippa to leave earlier, but there’s no point wondering about what if.”

  Chelsea came out onto the deck rubbing her eyes as the boat began to pull away from the two skyscrapers. Her eyes opened wide when she looked around and I smiled at her. She gave me a wave and crossed the deck to Manny and Ava.

  “Here’s the deal, Luke,” said Jonah seriously. “I can take you on, all of you, but you’ll have to help out. Like I said, this isn’t a commercial operation anymore, but we get by. We catch enough fish and have a freezer to keep them on ice for when times get tough. I know a couple of places further down the coast who like to trade with us. Freshly caught fish gets us fresh water in return and a few extras, so we can try and have something resembling a balanced diet. There’s a guy outside of Miami who gives us diesel and in return we give him what we can. I’d like to say that desperate times brought out the best in people, but not everyone is as welcoming. Still, we avoid those and keep our guard up against strangers, and do what we can.

  “In a few minutes Ava is going to take us south and we’ll follow the mainland fairly close to the coast until we get past North Carolina. You’ve probably noticed the weather changing. It’s getting colder and we’re heading south for warmer waters. Florida, to be precise.”

  “You got a condo down there, Jonah? Little place for your retirement? Maybe an old spinster to rub your feet?”

  “You’re a funny guy, Luke,” said Jonah with a glint in his eye. “I remember now why I almost let Weir convince me to leave you behind.”

  I suppose I deserved that for the dig about Jonah’s age.

  “No, there’s not much to see of Florida anymore. Parts of Miami are holding on. Besides, you really think I’d want to retire? I’ve got plenty of life left in me yet. I intend to captain this ship until the day I die, which is going to be a long time from today.”

  I admired Jonah’s resilience. He had been working hard his whole life and even now, with all the difficulties of this changed world, he kept going. I hoped I would have his strength when I got to his age. “Awesome. Well, Florida sounds great to me. I’m sure that Pippa will be onboard with that idea, if you’ll forgive the pun.” I grinned. It felt like things were coming together. “Let’s do it.”

  Jonah stepped closer and jammed a sharp finger into my chest. “Just remember, this ain’t no holiday, Luke, and you can take that to the bank.” Jonah looked me in the eye as he spoke. “There’s gonna be some hard work involved, some cold nights and wet days. We don’t take on new crew members lightly. Ava and Lance were an exception and I’m making one for you. I need to make sure you’re going into this with both eyes open.”

  “You’ll get no trouble from me. I get it. So, where do we start?”

  Jonah removed his finger and softened immediately. “Get downstairs and get some food inside you. I don’t want you passing out on me on your first day on the job. When you’re ready I’ll show you around the boat, what’s what and who’s who. Pippa and Chelsea too. I see Manny’s already got stuck into it.”

  I looked back but Manny and Ava were gone, replaced by Weir. I saw Manny holding a mop and washing down the deck, while Ava and Chelsea were scurrying back into the cabin.

  “Thanks, Jonah. For everything.”

  “All right, don’t get all mushy on me, boy. Now get.”

  Jonah looked up at the gray sky as he approached Weir, and I felt my stomach rumble. Whatever food was on offer I would take it. I knew Jonah was right about getting a good feed in the morning, but it didn’t take long to eat breakfast. Water and dry cereal gave my stomach little satisfaction. After that, the morning passed by in a bit of a blur. Jonah wasn’t wrong when he said we would be working. He gave all of us a tour of the trawler. The Tukino was very much his boat. I could tell he was proud of it and kept things in good working order. Aside from fishing there was general maintenance too, to ensure the boat remained in good condition. None of us had any idea about engines but Gills needed a hand so I volunteered. It was a steep learning curve. I spent most of the time just watching and listening to him, getting dirt and oil all over me. When we broke for lunch I was pleased to be able to sit up on deck and get some fresh air.

  “How’s it going, grease monkey?” asked Ava as she sat down next to me.

  “Great,” I replied wiping my hands on the overall they had found for me. It was two sizes too big, but at least it kept my own clothes clean. I grabbed a plate full of fish and cold peas. “Think I’m ready to start running the place.”

  Ava smiled as she bit down into a fleshy piece of white meat. “Careful. Talk of mutiny will see you thrown overboard.”

  Chelsea and Pippa were close enough to hear our conversation, so I swallowed down the urge to flirt with Ava. I wanted to rip that red beanie off her head and look at her face but I simply smiled and continued eating my fish.

  “Hey, Luke, you bring your cards?” Manny called out from the other side of the deck. “Gills said they haven’t got any. I’m thinking poker night, you feel me?”

  “Sorry, didn’t think about it.” I had only thought to pack essentials, boring stuff like the torch and matches.

  “Oh well, maybe we can find some down in Florida.”

  Manny turned to Gills and began to talk about what card tricks he knew. If he was shaken up by his close call yesterday then he was doing well to hide it. Truthfully, I think he had brushed it off. He was an easy-going guy and had a naturally confident air about him. I could see that everyone had taken to him already.

  “Don’t waste it.” Ava leant over and scooped up a piece of fish that I’d dropped on my lap.

  “If you’re not hungry, I’ll eat it,” said Chelsea. “I could eat this twice over. The fish is amazing.”

  “Ha! You say that now,” said Ava, popping the scavenged food into her mouth. “Wait until it’s all you eat, day in, day out. You’ll be craving hot
dogs and potato chips in no time.”

  “Pizza,” suggested Manny. “With Parma ham and hot sauce.”

  “Oh no, you’ve all got it wrong. Pancakes,” said Pippa, looking at her daughter. “With bacon and maple syrup, obviously.”

  “No, no, no,” said Manny flashing us all a big smile. “T-bone steak.” He paused for dramatic effect. “Tender and bloody.”

  “Oh God, stop it, my mouth is watering.” Ava giggled and raised her hands to her face. “Everyone, just stop.”

  I couldn’t resist it. “Warm apple pie with French vanilla ice-cream.” I let out a satisfying sigh as if I had a bowl of it tucked under my arm. “Oh, yeah.”

  Ava gently punched me on the arm. “One more word out of you about ice-cream and I’ll throw you overboard myself.”

  I looked into Ava’s blue eyes. “Dare you. Try and take me on, and I’ll take you with me.”

  “Oh, so it’s a challenge, is it? Don’t test me, Luke.” Ava grinned and grabbed a piece of my shirt. “You want to go swimming, right now?”

  “Only if you’re coming with me.” I looked into Ava’s eyes and the world around her melted away. I heard voices but they were lost in a distant fog. Ava returned my gaze and for a moment we said nothing. It felt like years but it could only have been a second.

  “Knock it off, all of you,” said Jonah gruffly as his feet stomped past us. “Break’s over. We need to get moving again. Ava, take over from Weir so he can eat. I’m going down below. I need to do some work on the charts and update them. The water’s risen much higher than I figured in the last few weeks. Without decent radar equipment, we’re almost flying blind.”

  Ava let go of me and jumped up quickly. She offered an apologetic smile but there was no need. I brushed myself down and stretched as Ava went to the wheelhouse and took over at the console. I don’t know how she did it. Just looking at all the controls and dials made me dizzy.

  The sky had changed from a light gray to a dark gray. The air remained cool and as I got to my feet I caught a glimpse of the mainland. It looked the same as hours ago, before we’d left Atlantic City. A distant hill, an empty road and barren land on the horizon; a few buildings stretching for air above the water’s surface before they succumbed to the rising sea-levels, and a lone seagull breaking up the monotonous cloud cover. The sun was hidden behind a blanket of dirty gray and it didn’t seem like it was going to break through anytime soon.

  “Back to the engine?” I asked Gills.

  “You got it, grease monkey,” he replied.

  “Enjoy yourself, grease monkey,” said Chelsea cheerfully.

  “This is a thing now, is it?” I asked. “I get a nick-name just like that?”

  “Would you prefer plain old monkey?” Manny picked up the end of a length of rope that was spooled around his mop. “Either works for me.”

  “Me too.” Pippa looked me up and down, and I felt like I was under mom’s gaze, her eyes examining me and probing me for my innermost thoughts.

  “Whatever,” I sighed. “Enjoy your childish games. I’ve got work to do.”

  “Sorry,” said Pippa. “We should let you get on, grease monkey.”

  With Chelsea laughing, I followed Gills to the wheelhouse. I didn’t mind that much if it gave them some fun. Chelsea particularly needed to have some fun. She’d spent too long cooped up in the apartment with only me and her mother for company. It was good to see her beginning to relax and act more her age.

  As Gills opened the cabin door the boat began to turn and there was a bump, as if something had hit the hull. I paused and grabbed Gills’ arm.

  “You feel that too?” he asked. “The boat’s not going fast and there’s nothing out here. We’ve sailed these waters for years. We know where the buildings are and where to avoid.”

  “Luke?”

  I turned to see Pippa and Chelsea looking over the side of the boat. Manny was still coiling the rope together and looked at me.

  “What was that?”

  “Gills, let’s check it out.” Weir marched over to the doorway that led to the console. “Come on, leave the tourists. Ava hit something.”

  The way he said it inferred that she had made a mistake, but Gills had said there was nothing out here. I looked over at her and her face was full of confusion. It didn’t appear there was anything to worry about, at least not yet.

  Another bump and the boat lurched, almost knocking me off my feet.

  “Throttle down, for fuck’s sake, Ava.” Weir marched back over to her and grabbed the wheel, pushing her out of the way.

  “Hey, relax,” I said, “we’ll deal with it, Weir.”

  “Yeah? How about you do your job and leave me to do mine, monkey.” Weir spat the words out and glared at me.

  “Leave it.” Gills took me by the arm and led me to the railings where Pippa and Chelsea were waiting.

  “Anything?” he asked them.

  “Can’t see anything,” replied Pippa.

  “There’s nothing here,” said Chelsea.

  “Felt like it was right underneath us,” said Ava gently. She looked at me and then Gills. “I wasn’t doing anything. I’ve handled the Tukino before, you know I have. You know I didn’t do—”

  “I know,” said Gills. He lowered his voice so Weir couldn’t hear him. “Don’t let him get to you.”

  I sensed that Weir had issues with everyone on board, with the exception of Jonah. I could tell he was going to take some getting used to. I was mad at him for shoving Ava the way he had, but I let it go. Causing a scene wouldn’t do anyone any favors and would probably only get Ava into more trouble. As long as that was all he did I was just going to have to accept it. For now.

  “Manny, come with me,” ordered Gills. “We’ll check the fore and aft. Pippa, Chelsea, stay here and let me know if you see anything. Ava why don’t you take monkey-boy and watch the stern. Holler if you see anything.”

  “Do we need to check below?” I asked. “What if we’re taking on water?”

  “Jonah’s down there. We’d know by now if we were sinking.”

  As everyone went to their positions to scan the water for a sign of what we’d hit, I let Ava lead me to the other side of the boat. “Is he always like that?’ I asked in a hushed tone. “Weir?”

  Ava glanced over her shoulder, ensuring he couldn’t hear her. “Yeah,” she whispered. “He’s not my favorite guy, but Jonah likes him. They go back years.”

  “Still, he shouldn’t treat you like that. I’m surprised Jonah hasn’t said anything.”

  Ava looked up at me. “He doesn’t do it when Jonah’s around. He respects the Captain but me… well, I’m just a girl.”

  “I think you’re more than that and you know it. Surviving out here with these guys? You’re incredible, especially with losing your family the way you did. And with Lance leaving you I’m kinda surprised you stuck around.”

  “Jonah told you? I guessed he would.”

  We reached the railings and leant over to peer at the ocean.

  “I miss Lance, but my brother made his choice. I couldn’t stop him.” Ava shrugged. “I do what I can. I can put up with Weir’s outbursts now and again.”

  “I’m not sure I can.” I looked down at the water but could see nothing. It was dark and oozed around the boat like jelly. Clumps of seaweed floated by quietly, but the ocean appeared to be empty. I had no idea what we might have hit. I was hoping it was nothing serious but the two jolts we’d had didn’t feel like nothing.

  Ava nudged my arm. “Incredible, huh?”

  I took my eyes off the water and looked at her blue eyes poking out from underneath her hat. I remembered what I’d just said and instantly blushed. “Well, yeah, sure. I mean… well, I think I was just meaning… you know.”

  “Smooth, Luke. Smooth,” she replied, nudging my elbow again with hers.

  I opened my mouth to try to come up with something witty but nothing came out. She giggled and covered her mouth. I wanted to stop her but I knew th
e others on deck would see me, so I forced myself to look back at the water.

  “We really should… oh, shoot.” I couldn’t believe it. Down in the water, right next to the hull, something smooth and silvery was skimming the surface. It was moving silently right beside us and I recognized it immediately. It looked just like what had hit the boat right before Manny had fallen into the water. It looked like the same creature that had killed crazy old Mr. Johnson. It looked like the thing I had banished from my memory: it looked like a huge shark.

  CHAPTER 6

  “That’s a twenty-footer for sure,” said Gills. “Oh, boy—”

  “Pippa, Chelsea, come look at this,” said Manny excitedly. “You don’t see this every day.”

  I felt a bolt of nervous energy hit my gut and for a moment could only see Mr. Johnson being devoured. But this was different. The shark was dead. The boat had hit its lifeless body, and Ava had called the others over to come see. As it floated harmlessly alongside us I felt relief take over. I’d thought the worst; that somehow it had followed us out of the city, yet this was a different animal entirely, nowhere near as big as the one I’d seen yesterday.

  “I’ve never seen one this close,” Ava said in awe. “Just look at the size of it.”

  As the shark’s body shifted and exposed its rotting underbelly, the smell hit us. A rank odor of rotting meat and fish swept up to our nostrils. The shark’s innards had been pulled apart and its guts washed out into the ocean turning the water a deep crimson. Fleshy entrails spooled out of its body spreading like tentacles as smaller fish picked at the juicy morsels that came free from the carcass.

  “That… is… disgusting,” muttered Pippa, walking away.

  “That was all it was?” asked Jonah.

  “Coulda been worse, right?” The shark looked as if it had been mauled, ravaged by something bigger and stronger; I didn’t want to mention what I suspected whilst Chelsea was within earshot.