Monster Hunters ch.8
By Quinn Ireland
The next hour was spent learning about a new kind of moss that resulted in good health and never getting sick. Ben enjoyed this lesson but wished that he could have it. The reason for this is because he had missed more than a month of school due to colds and fevers. “If only it had grown anywhere else than Indonesia,” Ben thought to himself. When the class finished, Ben started down the Demons Exit with Johnny and Kepler trailing behind. Johnny struck up a conversation between the three about what a strict teacher Mrs. Abbingstone was. “And she gets mad at you on your first day in this school, no… in this whole world!” Kepler was complaining. Soon, they had reached the edge of the lake. Ben was reminded of that eerie feeling inside of him when he had first entered the cavernous cave hours ago. He slipped on his Cold-proof suit and dove into the water. Just as the trio was getting close to the soft, green light of the entrance to the cave, Ben spotted out of the corner of his eye, a dark, wood box slowly floating towards him. He propelled through the water and just missed the box by several feet. Once safely out of the lake and peeling off his suit, Ben told Johnny and Kepler about his second near-miss of getting cursed. “Sorry, Ben,” said Kepler, “We were here already, we couldn’t warn you.” Ben sighed. He had always been a weak swimmer and would get tired easily while in the water. He suddenly had a flashback of himself and Johnny swimming at the beach that was an hour drive from Ben’s house. “C’mon, Ben! Let’s go in the water!” Johnny had shouted. Ben had been reluctant but went in. He followed him far out from the shore. Then fear suddenly came over him, Johnny could not be seen anywhere. Ben looked back to shore which seemed a mile out of reach. Johnny was waving his arms and shouting for Ben to play catch with his football. Ben started to get very tired while treading water, so he franticly swam to safety. Then he shouted for Johnny to throw the football. So, Johnny threw a perfect spiral to Ben who caught it. They could be a dynamic duo if they had signed up for the school team. Ben then floated safely back to shore holding on to the football. But this experience only made his fear of water greater. “What’re you thinking about?” asked Johnny pulling Ben out of his flashback. Before Ben could answer, Johnny asked; “Was it that time on the beach?” “Yeah… wait! How did you know that.” Johnny looked strangely at Ben. “Must have been the look on your face. anyway, let’s head up to the tree-homes.” Hold on…” thought Ben; “The day is over?” “Yup!” replied Kepler with a grin of satisfaction on her face, “You officially survived your first day at Monsterschool.” “C’mon, Ben!” Johnny called. Ben, not wanting to be left in the dark, mysterious cave on his own, followed behind Johnny and Kepler. He noticed that the ripples in the dark water looked like Dancer’s, all moving symmetrically. He started up the stairs, watching his own wake be swallowed up by the gently stirring waves of the lake.
