In Deep Water: Chapter 14
In Deep Water
The Livyatan, according to Sophie, is an extinct whale that lived nine million years ago. It is said to have been similar in size to the modern-day sperm whale, was considered one of the top predators of that time, and even shared the same waters as the megalodon shark. That was hard to imagine, however.
“The megalodon?” I scoff. Everyone knows it was king of the ocean.
Sophie’s eyes widen a fraction. “They were similar in size.”
“It’s just difficult to picture a whale taking on a shark.” I nibble my lower lip.
Sophie smirks as the elevator doors open on Deck Three, the guide she had been perusing in the library clutched tightly in her arms. “Then you forget that orcas are whales, too, Em.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s fair.” I walk down the hall to the computer lab, my eyes sliding past the buzzing energy of the Caferia. “Orcas are rather formidable, aren’t they?”
“What are you guys talking about?” Xander glances up from where he slouches in his chair as Sophie pushes the door ajar.
“Sophie found the owner of that tooth.” I jerk a thumb in her direction as I stroll to the snack table.
Nathan’s eyebrows crease. “Already?”
“Yeah, I don’t believe it, either.” I grab a bag of pretzels and plop into the seat next to Xander.
“The Livyatan is the only creature with a tooth that size. Like, ever.” Sophie blows out a breath, waving the guide around. “It’s all in here. Take a look.”
Nathan gestures for the book. “Can I?”
“Go for it.” Sophie drops it into his lap and turns to grab a soda. “Want anything?”
“I’ll have a Coke.” Xander stares at the shipwreck footage still playing on the computer monitors in front of them.
“Me too, thanks.” I toss over my shoulder.
“Huh. She’s right.” Nathan purses his lips as he points to the text. “This says it here. The Livyatan melvillei had the largest teeth of any known creature. They can get up to one point two feet.”
“Damn.” Xander grabs the sodas from Sophie, handing mine to me.
I smile. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” Xander winks.
Sophie folds herself into her chair, her nails clanking on the top of the pop can. “But it’s been extinct since the early Pliocene, so how did its tooth end up in our wreck?”
“That’s a good question.” Nathan squints into the darkness of the Griffin’s broken hull, the ROV panning across a section of the staircase.
My jaw drops. “We have footage of inside the ship?”
“Yeah, it surprised me, too.” Xander inhales a breath.
I stifle a gasp as the remnants of the Caferia illuminate the screen, tables, and chairs strewn around the extensive area. Dull green algae blankets everywhere the light touches; tiny crustaceans scurry into any available crevice. I swallow the bile threatening its way up my throat.
“It’s rather sobering,” Nathan comments, returning the volume to Sophie.
Sophie gulps as she sets the journal on the table in front of her. Her watery eyes meet mine for a brief second before flitting back to the display.
I stare at the familiar halls as the ROV continues its trek, unable to look away from the destruction. “Ha-Have you learned anything new from it?”
Xander sighs. “Not really. We found a few more holes. Some even appeared charred, but that’s about it.”
Nathan grunts. “This is the last of it.”
I wince as the camera focuses on pairs of sneakers nestled into the corner of a meeting room. “I don’t think I’ll ever get over what it means to find shoes in pairs on a shipwreck.”
“What do you mean, Em?” Sophie frowns.
I stare at my hands, remembering the Titanic documentary that proclaimed that chilling truth. “It’s all that remains of the people who go down with the ship.”
“Oh.” It’s barely a word as it passes Sophie’s lips.
We sit in silent, horrified fascination, watching the rest of the footage play on screen. Glimpses of our life aboard the Griffin scattered about each submerged deck, now overshadowed by the creatures of the deep.
At last, the monitor goes blank and we all jump when a knocking sounds at the door. Before we have time to react, it swings wide.
“Hey, boss.” Eddie stands in the doorway, bouncing from one foot to the other. “Got another storm coming.”
Xander raises his eyebrows. “With a chance for a superbolt?”
“The same.” Eddie beams, eyeing the snack table.
Xander nods. “Good.”
Editor: Shannon Hensley
