Deep Trouble (9780545405768)
Page 7
Sheena glanced at me. I glanced back.
Oh, no, I thought. After all this, it can’t be true.
Is Dr. D going to catch the mermaid again — and give her to the zoo?
Sheena and I met in the galley the next morning. Since Alexander was gone, we had to fix our own breakfasts.
“Do you think the mermaid went back to the lagoon?” asked Sheena.
“Probably,” I replied. “That’s where she lives.”
She spooned some cereal into her mouth and chewed with a thoughtful look on her face.
“Sheena,” I said, “if someone gave you a million dollars, would you show them where the mermaid lives?”
“No,” Sheena replied. “Not if they wanted to capture her.”
“Me, neither,” I said. “That’s what I don’t get. Dr. D is a great guy. I just can’t believe he’d —”
I stopped. I heard a noise. The sound of a motor.
Sheena listened. She heard it, too.
We dropped our spoons and ran up on deck.
Dr. D was standing on the deck, staring out to sea.
A boat was approaching. A white boat with MARINA ZOO stenciled on the side in large letters.
“The zoo people!” I said to Sheena. “They’re here!”
What would our uncle do? I wondered with growing dread. Would he tell them where the mermaid was? Would he accept the million dollars?
Sheena and I ducked behind the cockpit. We watched the Marina Zoo boat tie up beside the Cassandra. I recognized Mr. Showalter and Ms. Wickman.
Mr. Showalter tossed a rope to Dr. D. Ms. Wickman jumped aboard.
The zoo people smiled and shook Dr. D’s hand. He nodded at them solemnly.
“We had word from the fishermen on Santa Anita that you found the mermaid,” Mr. Showalter said. “We’re ready to take her with us now.”
Ms. Wickman opened her briefcase and pulled out a slender envelope. “Here is a check for one million dollars, Dr. Deep,” she said, smiling. “We’ve made it out to you and the Cassandra Research Lab.”
She held out the check to my uncle.
I peered out from behind the cockpit. Please don’t take it, Dr. D, I pleaded silently. Please don’t take the check.
“Thank you very much,” my uncle said. He reached out a hand and took the check from her.
28
“A million dollars means a great deal to me and my work,” Dr. D said. “Your zoo has been very generous. That’s why I’m sorry I have to do this.”
He raised the envelope and tore it in half.
The two zoo people gasped in surprise.
“I can’t take the money,” Dr. D said.
“Just what are you saying, Dr. Deep?” Mr. Showalter demanded.
“You sent me on a wild goose chase,” my uncle replied. “I have searched these waters thoroughly ever since you left. With my equipment, I searched every inch of the lagoon and all the surrounding waters. I am now more convinced than ever before that mermaids do not exist.”
Yaaaay! I screamed to myself. I wanted to jump up and down and cheer my head off — but I stayed hidden with Sheena behind the cockpit.
“But what about the fishermen’s stories?” Ms. Wickman protested.
“The local fishermen have told mermaid stories for years,” Dr. D told her. “I think they believe they’ve really seen mermaids rising through the mist on foggy days. But what they have seen are only fish, or dolphins, or manatees, or even swimmers. Because mermaids don’t exist. They’re fantasy creatures.”
Mr. Showalter and Ms. Wickman both sighed in disappointment.
“Are you sure about this?” Mr. Showalter asked.
“Completely sure,” my uncle replied firmly. “My equipment is very sensitive. It can pick up the tiniest minnow.”
“We respect your opinion, Dr. Deep,” Mr. Showalter said with some sadness. “You’re the leading expert on exotic sea creatures. That’s why we came to you in the first place.”
“Thank you,” said Dr. D. “Then I hope you’ll take my advice and drop your hunt for a mermaid.”
“I guess we’ll have to,” said Ms. Wickman. “Thank you for trying, Dr. Deep.”
They all shook hands. Then the zoo people got back on their boat and motored away.
The coast was clear. Sheena and I came bursting out of our hiding place.
“Dr. D!” cried Sheena, throwing her arms around him. “You’re the greatest!”
A wide grin spread over Dr. D’s face. “Thanks, guys,” he said. “From now on, none of us will say anything to anyone about mermaids. Is it a deal?”
“It’s a deal,” Sheena instantly agreed.
“Deal,” I said. We all shook hands.
The mermaid was our secret.
I swore I’d never mention the mermaid to anyone. But I wanted to see her one last time. I wanted to say good-bye.
After lunch, Sheena and Dr. D went to their cabins to nap. We had been up for most of the night, after all. I pretended to take a nap, too.
But once they were asleep, I sneaked out of my cabin and slipped into the bright blue water.
I swam over to the lagoon to search for the mermaid.
The sun was high in a pale blue sky. It glowed down on the still lagoon waters, making them glitter as if covered in gold.
Mermaid? Where are you? I wondered.
I was just past the reef when I felt a playful tug on my leg.
Sheena? I thought. Had she followed me again?
I spun around to catch her.
No one there.
Seaweed, probably, I thought. I kept swimming.
A few seconds later, I felt the tug again. Harder this time.
Hey — it must be the mermaid! I told myself.
I turned once again to search for her.
The water rippled.
“Mermaid?” I called
A head popped out of the water.
A gigantic, slimy, dark green head.
With one enormous eye.
And a mouthful of jagged teeth.
“The sea monster!” I shrieked. “The sea monster!”
Would they believe me this time?
BEHIND THE SCREAMS
DEEP
TROUBLE
CONTENTS
About the Author
Q & A with R.L. Stine
There’s Something Fishy About Mermaids
Sink Your Teeth Into Some Shark Facts!
Tales of Horror: When Sharks Attack
An Undersea Adventure — Starring YOU!
A Terrifying Peek at
CREEP from the DEEP
Bonus material
written and compiled
by Matthew D. Payne
About the Author
R.L. Stine’s books are read all over the world. So far, his books have sold more than 300 million copies, making him one of the most popular children’s authors in history. Besides Goosebumps, R.L. Stine has written the teen series Fear Street and the funny series Rotten School, as well as the Mostly Ghostly series, The Nightmare Room series, and the two-book thriller Dangerous Girls. R.L. Stine lives in New York with his wife, Jane, and Minnie, his King Charles spaniel. You can learn more about him at www.RLStine.com.
Q & A with R.L. Stine
What’s the scariest moment you’ve ever experienced in the water?
R.L. Stine (RLS): I’m pretty much always fearful in the water. But one Caribbean snorkeling trip was really scary: a big fish came up and bit me! I was terrified. But later, when a friend showed me a picture he took of the “huge biting fish” I saw it was about the size of a goldfish!
Billy Deep has a wild imagination and a thirst for adventure. Were you a lot like Billy when you were a kid?
RLS: Not at all. I never left my room. I was always writing stories and drawing comics. I made up a superhero called Super Stooge. He wasn’t smart enough to have any scary adventures!
What advice do you have for readers who hope to write their own books some day?
>
RLS: My advice is to read as much as you can, and to try and write something, anything, every day. Think of it this way — when you write, you are a writer!
If you had become an undersea explorer instead of an author, which creatures would you pursue?
RLS: Tuna fish — on toast! Actually, I’ve always been fascinated by stingrays. I saw a lot of them on a trip I took to Australia.
In Goosebumps HorrorLand #2: Creep from the Deep, Billy and Sheena face off against some very “spirited” villains! Is the worst behind them? Or will future books bring even deeper trouble?
RLS: Creep from the Deep is a day at the beach compared to what’s waiting for the brother and sister in HorrorLand. Here’s one hint: Nobody will be able to recognize Sheena after her adventure in HorrorLand.
To hear about the creepiest toy R.L. Stine
ever played with, pick up the new
collector’s edition of MONSTER BLOOD
and look in the back of the book.
There’s Something Fishy
About Mermaids
Mermaids certainly lent a helping hand (and fin) to Billy, Sheena, and Dr. D. But you should always approach these mythical creatures with caution. Mermaids can be found all around the world, and some aren’t that friendly!
Many European cultures tell stories of mermaids that lure victims with their beauty and magical sin ging, only to eat them or hold them prisoner underwater! In Japan, seafarers tell tales of horrific mermaids that are nearly all-fish: Only their head is human. These creepy, eel-like creatures are thought to be the messengers of a serpent princess.
AM I PART MERMAID?
Many families in Ireland and France insist they have mermaid ancestors. If you’ve ever felt like a fish out of water, maybe you’re part mermaid, too!
Friendlier mermaids come up on land to visit humans. Irish mermaids, while walking on their tails, must have endless patience to slowly shuffle from place to place when visiting land! In ancient Egypt, mermaids were thought to have webbed feet. It made quick visits on land a whole lot easier.
MERMAID AHOY!
Famous explorers Christopher Columbus and Henry Hudson sighted mermaids on their voyages.
SINK YOUR TEETH INTO
SOME SHARK FACTS!
The whale shark is the largest shark and the largest fish in the ocean. Scientists think whale sharks can grow up to 65 feet long — the length of 1 ½ school buses.
At 10 inches long, the spined pygmy shark is the smallest shark in the ocean. Despite its small size, it packs a BIG surprise: The spined pygmy shark glows in the dark.
Sharks can detect the invisible electric fields emitted by all living things. This means that even fish hiding under the sand can end up on a lunch menu!
Certain sharks can smell a single drop of blood from almost 100 yards away — the length of a football field.
Sharks keep the tooth fairy busy. They constantly lose and regrow their teeth. Some sharks lose up to 30,000 teeth in a lifetime.
Scientists are not sure if sharks actually sleep. Sharks at “rest” will still follow divers with their eyes.
Don’t start a staring contest with a shark! Although they have eyelids, sharks don’t blink.
Sharks have been on earth for around 400 million years. They were here before the dinosaurs!
TALES OF HORROR:
WHEN SHARKS ATTACK
1916 During one horrific summer, five people were attacked by sharks in the waters near Matewan, New Jersey — only one person survived.
1960 A shark lifted a small Australian dinghy out of the water. All three passengers held tight, and the shark swam away.
2007 A cargo ship tipped over in heavy seas off the coast of the Philippines. Some people survived the shipwreck only to be eaten by sharks, according to witnesses.
2007 A surfer in California is lucky to be alive after a shark missed his lunch and bit the surfer’s board instead.
HOW TO SURVIVE A SHARK ATTACK
A person is more likely to be attacked by a pig than by a shark. However, if you ever find yourself staring down a shark, here are a few things that you can do to defend yourself:
1) Don’t panic! Sharks are attracted to splashing. You even have to FEEL calm. Sharks can sense fear.
2) Poking and punching is good, but aim for the eyes and gills. The nose is too close to the mouth — your hand could quickly become an appetizer.
3) Make the shark work for his meal. Don’t give up or play dead. As long as you fight, there’s a chance the shark will give up and look for an easier meal.
An Undersea Adventure —
Starring YOU!
Want to be like Billy Deep? Finish the following statements to make up your own undersea adventure.
I am an intrepid undersea adventurer, scouring the deep sea for …
… treasure.
… mysterious creatures.
… a tasty tuna.
I am swimming …
… into an underwater cave.
… through a fire coral reef.
… through a sunken pira te ship.
I am carrying …
… an underwater camera.
… a spear.
… a light.
Suddenly, I run into …
… a mermaid.
… a disgusting sea creature with a huge eye and gross, slimy tentacles.
… a great white shark.
What happens next? Write down anything that comes to mind and have fun crafting your tale. Remember what R.L. Stine says: “When you write, you’re a writer!”
Don’t miss the return of
Billy and Sheena Deep in
#2 CREEP FROM THE DEEP
Turn the page for a peek at the all-new,
all-terrifying thrill ride from R.L. Stine.
4
The engines roared. Dr. D turned the wheel, and the Cassandra edged sharply into the waves.
Sheena and I took our places on a bench against the cabin wall. The boat rocked hard, and a strong spray washed over the railing.
Soon, we were crashing over the sparkling waves. A red-orange sun floated on the horizon. I turned back and saw the tiny island of Careebo vanish, a speck of yellow on the blue water.
About an hour later, Dr. D locked the wheel. Then he led the way down to the galley for some lunch.
Normally, the Cassandra has a crew of three or four. But when Sheena and I visit in the summer, Dr. D likes to give them time off.
He pulled out the grilled bluefish left over from last night’s dinner and some sandwich rolls, and we sat around the small white table and ate fish sandwiches and drank papaya juice.
After lunch, Dr. D pulled off his glasses and cleaned them with his napkin. “I’ll tell you what we’re doing,” he said. “But you probably won’t believe me.”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure I believe it myself. But we’re going to try to track down a sunken pirate ship.”
My mouth dropped open. “You mean like real pirates?” I said.
Dr. D nodded and slid his glasses back on. “People have been searching for this ship for over two hundred years,” he said. “My workers back on the mainland think they have located it using acoustic imaging and laser mapping. They just e-mailed me all the info.”
Dr. D’s eyes flashed. “Here’s the amazing thing,” he said. “If the sonar image is correct, we’re actually not too far from where the ship went down.”
Sheena and I nodded and waited for him to tell us more.
“The ship is called the Scarlet Skull,” he said. “Perfect name for a pirate ship, right?”
He took a long sip of papaya juice. “According to legend, the ship sank in the late 1780s,” he said. “And it took millions of dollars of jewels and gold treasure down with it.”
“And we’re going to find the treasure and be billionaires!” I cried. I jumped up and pumped my fists in the air.
Sheena grabbed me and pulled me back down. “Billy, were you born immature?”
“If we find the treasure, it will all go to the Careebo Dolphin Rescue Fund,” Dr. D said. “I’d be thrilled to find it. But I’m a scientist — not a treasure hunter.”
“This is totally cool!” I said. I was so excited, I could barely sit still.
“How did the pirate ship go down?” Sheena asked.
Dr. D scratched his head. “This is where the story gets weird,” he said. “And this is what I want to investigate. The reports at the time said there were two pirate ships. They were sailing in view of each other. It was a calm, clear day. The ocean waves were flat and gentle. And suddenly, a swirling black cloud swept over the water. The Scarlet Skull sailed into the cloud — and disappeared.”
“Huh? It just disappeared?” I said.
Dr. D nodded. “I told you it was weird. The black cloud passed, and the pirate ship had vanished. The pirates on the other ship stood staring, waiting for it to reappear. But … it was never seen again.”
Sheena and I stared at him. Neither of us spoke.
Dr. D opened a file of papers he had brought to lunch and scanned them quickly. “The Scarlet
Skull belonged to a notorious captain named Long Ben One-Leg,” he said. “Long Ben was very bad news.”
I felt a shiver at the back of my neck. “How bad?” I asked.
“Well, some people believe that he was so evil, the sea just swallowed him up. Swallowed him and his entire ship to protect the world from his evil.”
Dr. D continued to skim the papers. “Here’s a story that will give you a good idea of what Captain Ben was like. It seems he kept a big tub of hungry rats on the ship. When one of his men did something to make him angry, he tossed the guy into the tub. Then he sat back and watched the rats make lunch of him.”
Sheena grabbed her throat and groaned. “Ohhh, that’s way sick!”
“Sometimes when he was bored,” Dr. D continued, “he threw someone in the rat tub just for entertainment.”