Eric S Brown [Brown - Terror Krakens

TERROR KRAKENS

Eric S Brown

Copyright 2018 by Eric S Brown

TERROR KRAKENS

Derricks nerves were raw. His fingers fiddled with the small box hidden in the pocket of his pants. The night was warm but not overly hot. Like everything else about the night, except for himself, it seemed perfect. Samantha would be meeting him soon. They had agreed to meet up at what they thought of as their spot on the lower deck. The Princess Dream had only been at sea for a bit over a week but in that time they had spent hours here watching the waves after most everyone else aboard the cruise liner was asleep. It was just after 1 AM. Derrick looked up at the sky. The stars were out and the moon was well on its way to being full. This cruise had been his idea. He had saved up for months in order to pay for it. His job didnt pay that much but he loved it. Teaching was his passion. It made him feel like he was making a real difference in the lives of the kids that came through his classroom and left his summer free for trips like this one. Samantha sure hadnt expected him to surprise her with the cruise as a three-year anniversary gift. It had taken her completely off guard. She had been forced to call in a lot of favors at her own job to be able to come with him. Derrick felt bad about that and wished he had thought that part through a little better but he hoped Samantha thought it was all worth it. She sure seemed to be having the time of her life. This was new to both of them. Neither of them had ever taken a cruise before.

He and Samantha had spent the better part of the evening swimming in the pool on the main deck and she had wanted to go change and get cleaned up before their usual time alone on the lower deck. Derrick had to wonder if she suspected he had something planned and wanted to look her best for whatever was coming. He hoped not. Being romantic took a lot of effort for him. It wasnt something that came natural to him. Heck, he wasnt even sure that what he was about to do was romantic if the truth was told. But based on what he had seen in movies and on TV, it appeared to be. Before Samantha, Derrick had only dated three women and one of them seriously. He imagined that was pretty lame for a guy pushing thirty. Growing up, he had always been the brainy kid, the nerd in the front of the class who always made good grades. He had never been popular. When he was younger, his weight had been a factor too. When he turned thirty, Derrick had changed that and worked hard now to keep the pounds off. He would never be what most people thought of as handsome but he wasnt ugly either. Spot-on average was a good way to describe him. A homely sort of gent that usually ended up in the friend zone. Samantha was his polar opposite in that regard. She was beautiful, her almost pale skin flaked with freckles, red hair that came down to her shoulders, and blue eyes that were as captivating as they were deep. She was two years younger than he was with a body that turned heads. How he had been blessed enough to end up with her was a mystery to Derrick and he didnt intend to ever let her go if he could help it. Samantha was the center of his world. Like a fantasy come to life, she took his breath away and made his heart flutter inside his chest.

Derrick sucked in a breath as he saw Samantha coming along the deck toward where he stood. She had changed out of her bathing suit into a comfortable-looking, flowing red shirt and shorts that hugged her hips. Samantha smiled as she saw him and waved. He waved back, hoping that his nerves werent showing.

Hey you, Samantha said as she reached him and took his hand in hers.

You Derrick found he almost couldnt speak as he looked at her. Youre beautiful.

Samantha laughed and shook her head. You say that all the time.

That doesnt mean it isnt true, Derrick managed to answer.

She squeezed his hand in hers and led him closer to the railing that ran along the side of the deck.

I never get tired of seeing that, Samantha said, staring at the distant horizon where the waves met the night sky.

And I never get tired of seeing you, Derrick whispered.

Youre pushing it, she said, chuckling. What are you up to?

Sorry, Derrick said, frowning. Sometimes I just cant help myself, Sam. I hope you know that I mean everything I say though.

Turning to look into his eyes, she answered, I do.

Derrick nearly melted from the look she gave him.

Uh Sam, weve been dating a pretty good while now, Derrick started.

Look! Samantha said, suddenly pointing out into the water, stopping him before he could say anything more.

Derrick looked out in the direction she had indicated. He saw it too. There were things moving about in the water. At first, he thought they might be looking at a school of dolphins playing under the stars. They had seen that before but the shapes in the water were all wrong. Whatever was out there, they were larger than dolphins.

Theyre coming toward the Princess Dream , Samantha said, sounding both excited and confused. It was certainly odd for any kind of sea life to come directly at a cruise ship the size of the one they were on. Approaching it was one thing but making a B-line straight for it was something else entirely.

I cant really see what they are, can you? Derrick asked, shoving his glasses up higher on his nose closer to his eyes.

I I think theyre some kind of squids, Samantha told him, all the excitement gone from her voice now.

As the creatures drew closer, Derrick could see why Samantha didnt sound excited anymore. The things were nasty looking. Derrick could see that they werent squids at all. They looked more like octopus. He wasnt sure but Derrick didnt think octopus were supposed to gather in groups, and certainly not a group as large as what was approaching the Princess Dream . The things looked sick. There was no better word for it. Their bodies had a reddish hue like those of some squids. They didnt move as fluidly as he thought an octopus should. Their tentacles seemed thicker somehow, more muscled. What creeped him out the most though was that the creatures eyes almost seemed to glow in the dim light of the stars. Whatever they were, the creatures were clearly moving with a purpose. They spread out as they drew even closer to the Princess Dream .

What are they doing? Samantha asked in a voice no more than a trembling whisper. Their nice evening had suddenly taken on a darker tone, the wonder and beauty of the night turning to not quite fear but certainly a troubling concern.

I I dont know, Derrick stammered.

Its like theyre trying to get right up to the side of the ship, Samantha said.

Thats crazy, Derrick said. Why would they do that?

Were safe, right? Samantha snuggled up to his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist.

That made Derrick laugh. He couldnt help it. It was clear that Samantha had been insulted by him doing it.

Yeah, of course were safe, Derrick said, trying to sound apologetic and reassuring at the same time.

The group of octopus or whatever they were reached the hull of the Princess Dream where it met the water. Derrick let out an unintentional gasp as one of the octopus things raised two of its tentacles up and slapped them onto the ships hull. The creature hefted itself body out of the water, pulling itself upward as it began to climb up the side of the ship. The others around it followed.

Derrick! Samantha yelled.

What the? Derricks eyes were wide. Thats not possible.

Its happening. Samantha slapped his chest. Theyre coming up the side!

The creatures gained speed with each slap of their tentacles upward. They moved up the ships hull like ice climbers. Derrick was still gawking at the things in disbelief as Samantha pulled away from him.

We need to get help, she said, taking off at a full-out run along the deck.