In Search of the Unknown Chaptered Version

Part 5

Jun was terrified, fear flowed through her veins.

It paid no mind to her, yet its mere existence proved how insignificant she was.

Then a great fog rolled in, and a gunboat would roll in from the darkness. It was large and close to the creature's size. Voices from people who were not Chinese came from the boat, Jun didn't know that they were American. She also did not know that this ship was long ago out of commission.

Its name may be lost to time.

Time seemed to freeze, and all breaths were held.

That's when an eruption of sound came, the ship's main gun fired off a hit into the massive creature's body. Whatever shell the monster had was stubborn and refused to heed. No sounds came from the creature. No roar. No battle-cry. Many green pustules grew on the creature. They seemed like eyes. They glowed

Tentacles pulled up from the water. Despite the distance, they already were close to the boat from underwater. They moved like whips. Starting at the creature, and like the tides, surging towards the gunboat.

The tentacles cut into the ship's steel sides like butter. They attack produced long gashes.

The steel behemoth stayed firm and continued attacking. Machine guns and rifle bullets hit the beast's carapace. They streaked through the dark. The light of the attack illumined the river and had little effect.

The elongated limbs of the great beast wrapped around the ship. It tried to push the boat away, but its motion was not encumbered.

The boat was so close it nearly collided with the mutinous mass. Then the unthinkable happened.

The boat opened its mouth. It came apart, the screeching and sharp metal were like jagged teeth. Its colossal jaws opened. To the point of completely engulfing the creature.

Then in one swift motion, it bit down. Broke through the things shell, and bit by bit consumed it whole. Like a bird of prey eats what it had caught.

Once the boat was finished gorging on the body, it went to its original form.

Its wounds were gone, and it went down the river.

A fog rolled in. All was calm again

Jun Liu ran back home where she told all who would listen. No one believed her. Word spread but was just a little girl's overactive imagination.

Someone did believe her, a man who seemed to hold power and influence. His name was unknown to her. He went by the alias of "The Inspector". He was young and came far from the capital to hear her story. There was an air of authority he carried, and the cadres listened and followed his every command like dogs. One of his orders was to make sure that no one else was involved.

The Inspector questioned every part of her story. He seemed to care and seemed to believe her. He fed her, which she would remember as the best food she ever tasted. In a small room, she was questioned, people would come in out of the room taking orders from the inspector.

These people seemed pale and seemed to have no face. It was hard to tell at a glance, but easy to notice when she paid attention. It was reality itself that kept the people's identities anonymous. Almost like their faces were smeared with paint. Their skin was pristine and seemed to lack any blemishes like plastic.

The Inspector made a kind goodbye after exhausting all he could get from Jun Liu.

Everything was quiet again, and the inspector and his faceless men were gone.

Jun Liu would live a good life.

End of Story

Clara seemed confused. She had so many questions. What was the creature? What was the boat? What is the Inspector looking for?

Basil answered none of this.

"Isn't there more to this story?".

Basil nodded "Well yes, you asked me to tell you a story you would never hear, and those other questions you ask can be answered" then Basil thought again and said "Except for what that creature is, Not even I know it's identity"

Clara frowned and was dissatisfied by the answer.

"Well this is the end of the deal, goodbye" Clara concluded.

"I hope to meet you again Clara, you have potential that I see worth investing in".

"Do you kiss up to everyone?".

Basil laughs "Maybe".

Then it was gone, like Basil never existed. Clara no longer felt she was moving in oily paint. She sighed and listened to the leaves rustle. Trying to calm down. Would she be able to even tell Dalen of this? Was this her secret?

She was lucky to have kept her mind and composure. Most do not.