Depths of Paradise

by Vance Albright

  “Take a seat on the living room couch,” she said. She grabbed a chair from the kitchen table and sat a few feet in front of him. The Japanese man stood up and introduced himself.

  “I’m Saburo Nakamura,” he said, slightly bowing.

  “Hi, I’m Ashly Cross,” she replied, staying seated, “but you obviously knew that already. Now, mind if I ask what the Japanese Self-Defense Force wants with me?”

  Saburo sat down and opened his briefcase, ready to get the meeting underway. “Mrs. Cross,” he started to say.

  “Just call me Ashly. I never liked formalities.”

  “Okay,” he continued. “An unusual situation is occurring in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. Commander Okada Takahashi has ordered the creation of a specialized team to handle the situation.” He handed Ashly a ten-page packet divided into two sections. Ashly raised an eyebrow in interest as she skimmed over it. The first section was titled: Suijin Squad. It contained brief information on Commander Takahashi, herself, and three other people. The second section showed locations around Hawaii, and information on two accidents that had occurred there. She found it odd that no information about the causes of the accidents was present.

  “Why is there no information about what caused these two accidents?” Ashly asked.

  “That is why the team is being formed. To discover the cause of the accidents,” Saburo answered.

  “Okay, second question. Why me? Why not get a member of the Japanese Security Council or the Japanese army to handle this?”

  “For a relatively unknown person in your field, we have found your expertise in robotics and computer usage to be some of the finest in the world. That is why you have been chosen to join the task force,” Saburo complimented.

  “I’m flattered, but no thanks. I already make a good living creating and modifying computer codes,” Ashly said, handing the packet back to Saburo. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m a busy girl, and I have better things to do then worry about accidents in Hawaii.” Ashly motioned towards the door. Saburo frowned and reached into the briefcase. He pulled out a sheet of paper. It was time to enact his second plan.

  “In addition to making sixty thousand a year creating software, our records show that, strangely, every month, money is taken from the accounts of rich Kuwait business men and placed into yours.” Ashly kept her poker face but was getting worried. “These amounts range from five to ten thousand dollars.” Saburo handed that paper to Ashly and pulled out another one. “This paper proves that you continuously hack other player’s accounts in online games. The people that were hacked reported stolen in-game items and currency.”

  “I don’t think I should say anything more without a lawyer,” she replied. She was trying to sound unaffected by the information, but inside it was killing her. How did they find this information? She had covered her tracks so well. She had already thought of two possible escape plans when Saburo took back both papers.

  “Don’t worry. I am not here to arrest you. I am here to recruit you. With your cooperation, we can make the information on these papers disappear.” He smiled at her and ripped up both pages. Ashly sat back in the chair, relaxed.

  “When do I start?” she asked.

  Chapter 11

  11:13 AM 4/10/2021 EST

  PhD Zoologist Leo Hoffburger stood on stage in front of an audience of around three hundred people in a lecture hall at the University of Pittsburgh. After fifteen minutes of insults and arguing, he was red in the face and almost frothing at the mouth.

  “How dare you speak of my theory that way!” he yelled. Samuel Richards sat on the end of the third row with a satisfied grin on his face. Samuel Richards was in his mid-thirties. He was six feet with an average build. He had blond hair that stopped just below his ear-line. A short blond beard covered his face. In public, Samuel Richards always wore the same outfit: khaki shorts and a brown t-shirt, which was covered by a field vest.

  “I speak ill of your theory, because how do I put it? It’s a pathetic theory that only a fool would dream up,” Samuel replied with a slight British accent. Samuel’s response caused a majority of the crowd to laugh. Professor Leo Hoffburger had just presented a theory that stated every large land animal had been discovered, and in as little as four years, every land animal would be discovered.

  “Well, let’s look at what you believe in!” Leo snapped back. He exited out of his PowerPoint presentation and opened an internet browser. In a few moments he was on Samuel Richards’s Cryptozoology website, which was titled “The Complete Guide to Cryptids Across the Globe.” Samuel Richards was well known in the lower scientific community for believing in the existence of unknown animals. He was also infamous for the enjoyment he got out of humiliating those who mocked his ideas.

  “As you can see, this man believes that creatures like Bigfoot roam our woodlands, a monster lives at the bottom of Loch Ness, and aliens are flying though the sky,” Leo Hoffburger said in an educated voice, trying his best to humiliate Samuel Richards. A serious look formed on Professor Hoffburger’s face as he looked right at the audience. “Is this the type of person you want speaking at universities? Someone who believes in myths and fairytales?”

  “What are you? Some kind of nut?” Samuel suddenly shouted. “I cannot believe what I just heard.”

  Professor Hoffburger looked at him in shock.

  “I believe you are the one who believes in myths and fairytales. I believe in documented science.” Samuel smiled and started to laugh.

  “Yes, of course I believe in undiscovered animals, but everyone knows aliens don’t exist,” Samuel said while making a mocking face. Laugher started to fill the room, which made the rage Professor Hoffburger was feeling increase. “I mean, think about it. Advanced extraterrestrial aliens travel thousands of miles to this planet, only to lose control and crash.”

  “What about Bigfoot and Nessie? Would you like to explain to the people here why they are real?” Professor Hoffburger shouted as his finger moved across the audience. “Even though there’s no solid evidence out there to support the existence of either creature.”

  Without any hesitation, Samuel gave his answer. “Just because we don’t have evidence for something at the moment does not mean it doesn’t exist. People disappear in national parks all the time; maybe those are the people that have come across Bigfoot.”

  “So, you’re admitting you believe Bigfoot is living in our national parks abducting people?” Professor Hoffburger said again in a mocking voice. He was hoping he could get the audience to turn on Samuel Richards. He was outraged when his response only got a few minute cheers.

  “No, I’m saying it’s a possibility,” Samuel corrected. “I believe we don’t know everything about this world and need to be open to the idea that unknown and prehistoric animals may still live in the present day.” Samuel stopped speaking and pointed at Professor Hoffburger. “If everyone was as pompous as you are, America would never have been discovered, airplanes would have never been invented, and we probably would still be living in the dark ages.” Laughter and cheers filled the room. While Samuel basked in the cheers, Leo Hoffburger had had enough.

  “Congratulations, Mr. Richards. You have ended this lecture and cheated these students out of learning valuable information,” Professor Hoffburger said in a low bitter voice.

  “Cheated them out of valuable information? Most people came here to sleep!” Everyone started to laugh again. Professor Leo Hoffburger gave the room one last angry look before storming out the exit door, which closed with a slam. Soon the students started to leave the lecture hall, while Samuel Richards remained seated. He wanted to see if Leo Hoffburger would return with security. In the past, a few lecturers he had driven out in a rage had returned with event security. Although he doubted Professor Leo Hoffburger was in the state of mind to think of that. He was most likely boiling in the safety of his office or had surrounded himself with like-minded people who were informing him how right his theory was. While he waited
, a Japanese man holding a brown file folder walked over and sat next to him.

  “Samuel Richards. My name is Akio Ikeda.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Samuel said. To Akio’s surprise, Samuel grabbed the folder from his lap.

  “You spell you name A-K-I-O?” Samuel asked as he started to sign the folder.

  “I am not here for your autograph, sir,” Akio replied. In a lightning-fast movement, he snatched the folder back.

  “Then why are you here?” Samuel asked, impressed by Akio’s fast reflexes. “You’re not event security, are you?”

  “No, sir. I am a member of the Japanese Self-Defense Force under the command of Commander Okada Takahashi,” Akio replied, showing Samuel his ID.

  “Why are you sitting in a lecture hall in Pittsburgh speaking to me?” Samuel questioned.

  “A situation is occurring around the Hawaiian Islands that requires your expertise.”

  “Really, what type of situation?” Samuel asked, interested.

  “During the past few days, several unexplained accidents have occurred around the Hawaiian Islands. We suspect the cause of these accidents is cryptozoological in nature.” Akio opened the folder and handed the briefing packet to Samuel. “We are currently creating a task force to handle the situation.”

  Samuel quickly went through the first section but spent nearly twenty minutes carefully looking over the second section. The main piece of information that intrigued him was a photo of claw marks inside a ship’s hull.

  “Yes, these could have been caused by a sea monster, possibly a mystery saurian,” Samuel said, talking to himself. “What depths were these photos taken at?”

  “We can discuss more details on the way, sir. Commander Takahashi would like us to travel to Tokyo as soon as possible. I need to know if you’re interested in the position?” Samuel Richards looked over the packet again. Everything looked official and there were no signs that this was some sort of joke. This was the chance he had been waiting for; the chance to finally prove to all the Professors and other people that had mocked him that he was right. He looked right at Akio.

  “Sir, you now have the best cryptozoologist in the world on your team.”

  “That is great to hear,” Akio replied, handing Samuel a plane ticket. “Our flight for Tokyo leaves in five hours. I suggest you head home and pack anything you will need for a several-day trip.”

  “I’ll be there,” Samuel said. He got up and started walking out of the lecture hall. “So, one of you has finally started to see humans as prey?” he said to himself.

  “Oh, there is one other thing,” Akio said. Samuel stopped and turned around. If Akio was about to admit this whole thing was a hoax, he was the best actor and forger in the world.

  “Both the Japanese and American Governments want this information kept secret, so do not speak to anyone or post any of the information I showed you on your website.” Samuel Richards nodded his head he understood, and both men parted ways.

  Chapter 12

  2:17 AM 4/10/2021 HST

  Mya swam through the ocean, desperately trying to reach the surface. Nothing but blackness surrounded her. She swam upwards for what seemed like an eternity, until she saw a faint flicker of surface light. Suddenly, ghostly cries from what sounded like hundreds of souls wailing in pain filled her ears. Mya covered them and tried to locate the source of the screams that seemed to be coming from all around her. In the darkness she could make out the ghostly green silhouettes of swimming spirits. The human-shaped spirits circled her, their mouths occasionally opening as they screamed their ghostly cries. Mya swam faster towards the light. Her only way out of this nightmare. Mya frozen in fear when the wailing from the spirits stopped and the sound of a thunderclap came from below her. Mya tried to swim but was not moving. She looked down to see glowing red eyes and a large blood-filled open mouth coming towards her. Mya’s eyes opened and she sat up screaming.

  “Ms. Kendig, it’s alright!” a nurse said, rushing into the room. Sweat covered Mya’s face and hair; she breathed heavily as she looked around the room. A large window was to her right, along with a recliner chair. A TV and digital clock were mounted on the wall in front of her. The time was two forty-seven A.M. To the left was the room entrance and the door to the bathroom. The nurse pushed a button on the IV pole to stop it from beeping. “Ms. Kendig, it’s okay. You’re at the Kula Hospital on Maui.” Thoughts started racing through Mya’s head as she tried to figure out how she got here. Soon the horrible truth started to come back to her.

  “Jade.” Mya’s head turned to the nurse. “Jade! Where’s Jade?” Mya asked in a panicked voice. Deep down she already knew the answer, but she was still clinging to the slim hope that by some miracle, Jade was rescued and safe in the hospital with her.

  “Ms. Kendig.” The nurse paused for a moment. The look on her face told Mya the answer she was dreading. “You were the only one the rescue team brought to the hospital. You were found unconscious on Molokini Crater.” Mya let out a tearful scream. The nurse sat on the bed and placed a hand on her back, trying to calm her down. Mya put her head down and broke down into tears.

  It was mid-morning. Mya had just finished her breakfast of hospital eggs and toast. Physically she felt fine, but inside she felt sorrow and guilt, helpless and alone. A few weeks ago, she had lost her boyfriend, and now she had lost her only sister. The person she looked up to all her life was gone.

  What am I going to do? she thought to herself. To this point in her life, she had always had someone to lean on and help her make decisions, but now she was alone and had no idea how she was going to go on. She knew she would have to stay in Hawaii for at least a week for Jade’s funeral and to sort her belongings, but what then? She looked out the hospital window; it was a nice day outside, and puffy white clouds filled the sky. Her thoughts carried her back to when she was a young girl, when Jade and she would lie in their back yard and find shapes in the clouds.

  Mya’s eyes turned towards the door when a gentle knock struck it. When it opened, a doctor followed by a man in a suit and tie entered. She was glad to see them; she wanted answers. Since regaining consciousness, she still had no idea now she got to the hospital or what had happened to the creature that attacked her. She thought she remembered the nurse mentioning something about a rescue team, but she was unsure of anything she heard last night. The doctor moved to the bedside while the other man took a seat in the recliner.

  “Hello, Mya. I’m Doctor Gordon,” he said, introducing himself. Doctor Gordon was a middle-aged Hawaiian native with balding hair. “How are you feeling?” Mya shrugged her shoulders.

  “As well as can be expected, I guess. When can I leave?” Mya asked, wanting to get out of the hospital.

  “Hopefully as early as this afternoon,” he answered. He then motioned to the man sitting down. “This is Detective Browner of the Maui Police Department.”

  “Hello, Mya,” he said. Detective Browner was a strong-built Polynesian man who looked to be in his early fifties.

  “How did I get here?” she asked.

  “When you and your sister failed to return or failed to respond to any radio communications, a rescue vessel was sent to Molokini Crater. The rescuers found you unconscious on the crater,” Browner replied.

  “What about Jade! Did you find her?” Mya asked quickly. She knew her sister was dead, but knowing her body had been recovered would help her get some form of closure. Detective Browner said nothing. He pulled a light brown detective case file out from under his arm and opened it. He removed a blank sheet of police statement paper and a pen. Mya rolled her eyes in annoyance when he started writing something on the paper. She turned to Dr. Gordon.

  “Is anything wrong with me?”

  “You’re suffering from severe psychological shock, and a slight case of the bends,” Doctor Gordon replied. He was about to explain in greater detail when Detective Browner cut in.

  “Sorry, Doctor, but I need to ask Mya some important questions.”


  Now you have time to talk, Mya said to herself; she was starting

  not to like Browner. She could tell what kind of person he was, the

  kind that expected everyone to come at his call and wait until he was ready for them.

  “Ms. Kendig, we have no idea what happened to you and your sister. I need you to fill out this statement paper, and then answer some questions.” Mya looked at the paper; it had written instructions for her to write down what happened as truthfully and honestly as she could recall. Mya moved her breakfast tray to the side of the overbed table. She lay back into the upright mattress and started writing.

  “I can answer questions and write at the same time. It’s called multitasking,” Mya said in a sarcastic tone. Detective Browner expression showed he did not like her tone at all. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a police notepad.

  “What were you and your sister doing at Molokini Crater?” Browner already knew the truth, but he wanted to be sure Mya’s story matched it.

  “We were spending the day diving,” Mya replied.

  “Was this your first time diving?” Mya looked up and shook her head yes.

  “Where is Jade Kendig now?” Mya stopped writing. Her breathing rate increased as she tried to hold back tears.

  “She’s.” Mya paused as a tear rolled down her cheek then said in a low sad voice. “She’s dead.”

  “What happened?” Browner asked in a serious voice. Mya tried to speak, but she only managed a soft murmur.

  She closed her eyes and cleared her throat, then managed to blurt out. “We were diving near that place called the edge of the world. Some type of sea creature attacked us.” She tried to think about something funny, wanting to get that memory out of her head as quickly as possible.

  “So, you’re stating it was a shark attack?” Browner asked as he wrote. Mya paused for a few seconds, thinking of the right words to say. A person with Browner’s personality would not have been her first choice to explain her encounter to, but he was the only one she knew at the moment who could do something to stop the creature.