Fin

Chapter 2: The Beast

Saturday Morning

I was yet again awoken from a nightmare drenched in sweat, looking at the clock it was only 3:30 am. Yet again all I could remember was those icy blue eyes and a large black jagged fin. I tried to go back to sleep to no avail so I got up put on some jogging shorts and a tank top, popped my headphones in and went for a run. Jamming out to some EDM music I didn't even realize I had made it to the beach 4 miles from my house. I stopped running and walked onto the sand towards the water feeling the crisp breeze on my face. I closed my eyes and listened to the wave crash onto the shore. As I stood there the sun started coming up and the city started to come alive. I breathed in the salty ocean air for a few more minutes then made my way back home. I love summers in Seattle they are so relaxing and calm as long as it's not raining.

Once I made my way down to the docks I saw Mr. Hook barking orders to his first mate and a few other guys helping load the equipment and get the boat ready to set off for the trip. As I got up to where he was standing and said "Aye Captain Hook you ready to unravel this mystery?"

He laughed gave me a one arm hug and replied "Aye me matey let's dig up this buried treasure!"

We both burst out laughing until we heard Mr. Gold walk up with Mr. Johnson saying "I hope you guys take this trip seriously especially you Ms. Bell since this is your first time going into the field you need to impress me." And the he came up and whispered "My deal is still on the table you don't have to go on this dangerous trip if you just go to dinner with me. Come on I can't be that bad unless you want me to be."

I tried to stifle a laugh at his pathetic attempt to woo me, like seriously is this fifty shades or something. I rolled my eyes and whispered back "I live for danger and besides I would rather swim in the cove covered in chum than go on a date with you."

He growled ever so quietly and snapped "Fine, good luck swimming with the fishes, if it wasn't for you being such an asset to this company I would have fired you along time ago." He turned and walked over to Mr. Hook "Is everything ready for this trip? I expect nothing but results since we are spending a lot of money to send you all out there to investigate this cove."

"Yes sir everything is ready to go we just have to board and we will be on our way" said Mr. Hook.

"Good safe travels and I look forward to hearing from you before you depart for the cove and once you are ready to come back."

"Yes sir, Mr. Gold I will notify you when we arrive as well." With that we boarded The Beast and set off for Lucian.

After a several hours of traveling I decided to explore the boat rather than sit in the cabin. The ship was of average size for a fishing boat could hold five men comfortably, had two nets one that hung off each side and an upper deck for the Captain. Towards the back there was gear attached to the sides for large reels for deep sea fishing as well as seats to strap yourself in. As I was standing up by the front of the boat I heard someone walk up behind me. "This is my favorite spot to sit when we are traveling. It has the best view in the house too if you ask me" spoke a soft southern accent. I turned and saw a man probably a few years younger than me, probably around 6' with scruffy wavy blond hair and with the greenest eyes I have ever seen. "Names Jack but everyone usually calls me Monkey." He said while sticking out his hand.

I shook his hand and said "I am Laura Bell I usually go by Laura. You must be Mr.Hook's first mate."

"Yes Ms. Bell I am it's a pleasure to meet you hopefully you will enjoy this trip and find Alaska as beautiful as you."

I blushed "Thank you Monkey hopefully all this talk of some devil fish is just legend and it turns out to be underlying glaciers or other obstacles that are the cause of all this fuss. May I ask you a question?"

He smiled "Why of course ma'am I'm an open book."

I laughed at his bluntness "why do they call you Monkey?"

He laughed a deep genuine laugh, "Well I am the fastest and best first mate you could have and on my first day on the job one of the ropes attached to the mast broke. Before anyone could do anything I grabbed the rope climbed up the mast and retied it. Once I got down Mr. Hook looked and me and said "damn boy you climbed that better than a monkey" and ever since then they called me Monkey."

I couldn't contain my laugh and he joined me "Well Monkey it is then" we continued laughing and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed his company. We stayed out on bow of the ship for a while just talking and getting to know one another. Monkey aka Jackson Hunter was born and raised in Mississippi and found his way to Seattle for a better fishing job where he met Mr. Hook who offered him a full time job fishing the west coast with him and his crew. He is a very humble, honest and easygoing 22 year old who's life dream is to own his own ship and fish all over the world. I told him all about my childhood and my visits to Fairbanks and how my dad taught me how to swim, fish and everything and anything to do with the water. I even told him about Mr. Gold and his persistence with trying to get me to go out with him to which he replied and I quote "I can't really blame him but from what I've heard about him you'd be better off going on a date with a shark then that egotistical playboy. Or you know a handsome first mate who has the most handsome face and nickname to match." Which we laughed about and I replied "well maybe not a date but I'll buy that first mate a drink once we hit shore." I don't think I've ever seen someone get so excited I swear his eyes doubled in size as well as his smile to which I noticed one dimple on his left cheek.

"If that's the case then the drinks are all on me!" Monkey said a little too loud with plenty of enthusiasm.

I laughed stuck my hand out and said "you got yourself a deal."

He looked at my hand shook his head while giving me a dimple filled smirk grabbed my hand pulled in if for a hug while saying " it's a date!"

I giggled "alright as long as you don't let Mr. Gold find out or he will have your head."

After that we went our separate ways since he had to help Mr. Hook with getting the boat prepared to dock since we were about an hour out and I went to the cabin to grab my stuff change and get ready to dock.