``One, two, three, four...''
Rocky had told Zuma he was fine joining him, that he was going to be ok. Even when he offered to go alone, Rocky insisted he come anyway. Now out on the water, Rocky felt a similar unease whenever he got close to the ocean. Not just from the uncomfortable feeling of being wet, but fear that gripped him. The fear of flying overboard again, getting washed up by the waves. He had experienced it once before and he never wanted to experience that again.
``Dude? You good?''
Zuma leaned his head back to nuzzle at Rockys ear. The recycle pup burying his snout into Zuma's shoulder. The brown lab was sure to keep his eyes out on the water as he drove his hovercraft towards seal island. As much as he enjoyed the mixed breed clinging to his body, He worried for his mental well-being.
``Yup yup! All good!'' Rocky quivered, trying to put on a brave face.
``We're almost there Rocky. Remember to breathe.''
Rocky closed his eyes and began to count again. Steadying his breathing.
``Five, six, seven, eight...''
Before he knew it, Zuma had started to slow down. He felt the craft come to a quiet stop by the dock. Even though they had made it, Rocky didn't let go of his boyfriend.
``We made it Wocky. Safe and sound.''
Zuma gently turned and planted a lick against his snout. Rocky opened his eyes to meet the water pups. Leaning in to press his snout against his forehead.
``I'm sorry.''
``It's ok Rocky. Really''
``I thought id be ok this time, I usually can go out for way longer but...''
``Hey, you're still a brave dude for coming out here anyway.''
Zuma gave a quick kiss against Rockys lips. The recycle pup felt his spirits lift and leaned in to return the affection. He was glad that despite the unfortunate trauma he was dealing with, he had some pup there to help him one step at a time.
``Thanks. I love you Zuma.''
``I love you too...Whoa Dude!''
Zuma pointed a paw towards the familiar sight of Cap'n turbot's boat. They had parked next to it but what was usually a clean vessel looked to have been ransacked. Bait and buoys were scattered, Rope was hung aloft the bow of the ship, and the door to the lower deck had been left wide open. The boys immediately jumped across their craft to the boat. Rockys concern for the missing captain overpowering his fear of the water.
``What the heck happened here?''
``No idea! Cap'n! Cap'n Turbot dude!''
Rocky clicked his pup tag.
``Ryder! We made it to the island! Cap'n Turbots boat is a wreck!''
``Roger that Rocky. We'll be out there as soon as possible! You keep searching for the captain.''
By the time Rocky had hung up, Zuma had begun to work his way towards the opening of lower deck but took one look down the stairs and hesitated. It was very dark down there. They wouldn't be able to see two paws in front of their faces.
``You wouldn't happen to have a flashlight attachment?''
``Nope, I hadn't had time to install that to one of my claw arms but maybe I can....
Zuma watched as the clever pup did what he could. Pulling an LED flashlight and some twine from his pup pack, the recycle pup quickly worked the light around his right paw. Using the twine to keep it in place. He flicked it on and shined it directly at Zuma. The water pup giggling at his ingenuity.
``Not bad, Clever boy.''
``I try my best'' Rocky gave a confident wink towards his boyfriend.
Staying close together, both pups began to make their way down. Each step they took along the wooden stairs squeaked below their paws as they reached the bottom. Rocky guided the beam across the metallic walls of the deck, seeing nothing more than scavenged equipment thrown everywhere. Zuma curiously proceeded forward.
``Zuma! be careful!''
``Doesn't look like anyone is down here dude. Ahhh!''
Zuma jumped back, Rocky leaped towards him.
``What what?!''
The brown lab lifted a paw, wedged between his digits appeared to be a very squishy piece of squid jerky. Zuma gagged at the smell.
``Bleh, least we know the captain was here.'' He quickly wiggled the piece off his paw.
``Well, it doesn't seem like he's on board anymore. Let's head back up.''
Both pups made their way back to the top, Rocky gazed over the railing into the deep sea below. He pondered if the captain had possibly fallen overboard. It didn't seem right though. Lost in thought, the pup was caught off guard by something big lunging out of the water. Rocky bolted back in fright.
``Arf Arf!''
``Ahhh Wally!''
Zuma ran over to Rockys side. Both noticing the panicked walrus shaking his fins and pointing in all directions.
``Whoa, Chill chill!''
``He's trying to tell us something.''
Wally barked again and pointed a fin towards the lighthouse. The boys understood what the mammal was implying. They quickly leaped off the vessel and tip-toed their paws across the sand. Standing at the entrance of the lighthouse, Rocky took the lead and knocked.
``Cap'n Turbot? Cap'n Turbot?!''
``It's Rocky and Zuma! Are you in there, dude?''
Rocky lifted his paw to give another knock but the door slowly creaked open. Both pups peered in, some sunlight had shone through the wide windows of the light house, but it still looked very barren. Nothing but a chair, some boots, and a locker against one part of the wall.
``Doesn't look like he's in here either.''
``Only one way to find out. After you shell collector.''
Rocky gave a comedic sneer at the pup. Glad to relieve some of the tension going on. Their humor was cut short with a loud banged that echoed off the lighthouse walls.
``What the?''
``It came from over there!''
Zuma pointed straight ahead towards the locker. Another sharp bang erupted from it. Making the recycle pup jump with fright. Zuma felt his legs start to shake but he slowly made his way over. Rocky followed behind, leaning his head down to grip his teeth on the side of Zuma life vest. Determined to drag him back at the first sign of danger.
Zuma lifted himself on his back paws, using his mouth to try and open the locker door. After some effort, he felt the lock click. Opening it a little to peer into the gap. A set of small beady eyes stared back at him.
``AHHHH!
``AHHHHHH!''
Rocky pulled Zuma back, causing the pup to tumble over him. They scrambled to their paws and Rocky shined his light back on the locker. There, in the cramped space was the whittered and shaking Cap'n Turbot.
``Cap'n!''
``Dude! What happened?!''
The Cap'n didn't look at the boys, his teeth chattered. Only managing to mutter out a few words.
``Eyes...bright...yellow eyes....''
Skye piloted above the island. Using her goggles to look for anything out of the ordinary around the shoreline. While she patrolled the sky, Ryder and Chase examined the wrecked boat, taking note of any possible clues.
``Easy Cap'n. You'll be ok.''
Marshall lifted a paw and stroked the captain's shoulder. The normally jolly man was still uneasy. Luckly, Marshall was there to check up and ease his shock. Wrapping the scared man in a fire blanket. Which he promptly clung onto. Wally shifted his head into the captain's shoulder. His walrus friend's gentle touch seemed to settle him.
``Thank you, Marshall. I appreciate your assistance.''
``Arf arf!''
``Hahaha and you too Wally.''
``It's no problem!'' Rocky exclaimed, though he and Zuma weren't really doing much but standing by. He'd offer to help clean the boat if it wasn't an active crime scene. Zuma leaned against the mixed breed, not feeling very helpful in the situation. It's something he's been feeling more often lately. Still, he kept a smile on his face. Hoping to brighten the captain's mood. That's when they noticed Ryder and Chase walking back towards them.
``How are you feeling Cap'n?''
``A lot better now that you and the pups are here.''
``We examined your ship but couldn't find any traces of where the creature went. I noticed a lot of your gear had been swiped.''
``Oh no, That's very perplexing.''
``That's what we thought too! What would an animal want with air tanks and some sonar equipment?''
``Cap'n, I don't mean to be rude but are you sure what you saw was in fact...what you saw?'' Ryder asked as delicately as he could.
``I swear! It was massive! Could have been twice my height! All green! Like the thing bathed in seaweed!''
He raised his arms to show the length of the creature.
``And its eyes! I've traveled the sea far and wide but have yet to see eyes that big before!''
Cap'n practically stuttered as he recounted his experience. His eyes widened as he remembered something.
``Ohhh! That's right! Look!''
Cap'n pulled out his phone, scrolling through a few pics before flipping it over to show the rest. Every pup turned their head slightly, confused at what exactly they were looking at. The pic was at an odd angle. Possibly from how quickly Turbot had taken it. From their view, they could make out a large dark shape that loomed over him. A slicky green illuminated off the flash of the phone camera but what really took the team off guard was the eyes. They were indeed massive. Bright yellow. The retinas were identical to that of an octopus. Though it was the only feature this beast shared. The picture couldn't tell them how many limbs it had or what type of animal it was. All they could tell was that it was very big.
Rocky didn't want to admit how scary the picture was. The thought of the ocean was frightening enough for him but now knowing there might be something that terrifying out there made him even more scared. Zuma could feel the uneasiness radiate off him and placed a paw against one of his own.
``Whoa! You weren't kidding!
``No, I wasn't Ryder! I have never seen anything like it before!''
That alarmed the team, Cap'n turbot was one of the most knowledgeable marine biologists they knew. If he couldn't verify what that animal was, could it be possible that they were dealing with a brand-new species? Possibly a real-life monster?
``Beep beep!''
Everyone jumped at the sound.
``Ryder! I've spotted something towards the other side of seal island. Looks like it's rising towards the surface!''
``Copy that, every pup follow me! Except you, Marshall. Stick with Captain Turbot for now''
``Sure thing! Chase, be safe alright?''
``Will do.'' The police pup gave his lover a reassuring wink.
Every pup ran along the beach. Following Skyes copter as it flew towards the other side of the island.
``Yip yip! Over there!''
She pointed to the bubbles coming from the surface of the water. The pups stopped in place and braced for anything. Zuma walked up passed the sand and towards the shore. Curious at what exactly was coming up to greet them. He jumped as he felt a gentle tug on his tail. Turning to see Rocky trying to pull him back.
``Rocky?''
``Zuma...careful. We have no idea what...''
That's when it breached.
