Free Deep Trouble by R. L. Stine Page A

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?
     
     
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