The Creature from Club Lagoona Read online

  I located my room on the map. Polly and I were sharing a suite separate from Mom and Dad’s. Well, at least there was one cool thing about staying at Club Lagoona—our own hotel room.

  The rooms were situated along the moat. Ours were directly across the island from the reception area. To get there, I’d have to use the main boardwalk. Signs pointed out different attractions along the way. I heard the sound of splashing and laughter all around me as I crossed the island.

  Soon I came to the middle of the resort and recognized the enormous fountain we’d seen from the plane. Circled around the fountain were the main attractions: the Log Flume of Doom, the Creature Water Slide, and the huge pool Mom read about—the Atlantis Swimming Pool. Sand surrounded everything—just like at the beach.

  Between the three main attractions were restaurants, stores, and games arcades. I figured I could explore on my way back, so I hurried on to the suite.

  I found the room without any trouble. Once inside, I stepped out of my soggy sneakers. I yanked off my wet T-shirt and tossed it on the bed. Since it was really warm, and since most of the people I saw on the way to the room wore bathing suits, I didn’t bother putting a new shirt on. Wearing just my shorts, I headed back out to find my family.

  I headed over to the Log Flume of Doom. People screamed as they hurtled down a river in a log-shaped boat. Everyone made a huge splash at the bottom and got soaked. Kids and their parents screamed and laughed, all having fun.

  At the Creature Water Slide a kid zoomed down backward, riding a tube shaped like a seahorse. He grinned from ear to ear.

  If only I weren’t afraid of the water, I thought, I could be having fun like everyone else.

  I remembered that little man telling me the place was dangerous. He said I wasn’t silly to be scared. But I felt silly. Really silly. In fact, I felt like a big weenie.

  I kicked at some sand and nearly tripped on the edge of a pool. I shaded my eyes and tried to see to the other side. I couldn’t, it was so big. I figured it was about the size of two football fields.

  The Atlantis pool.

  I shuddered and took a quick step back.

  Crowds of laughing people splashed and played nearby. I watched as boys and girls dunked each other and parents taught little kids to swim. Kids much smaller than me were having a great time in the shallow end. And here I was, terrified just by being this close to the pool.

  My head whipped around at the sound of a loud crack. A teenage boy was jumping up and down on a high diving board. I shaded my eyes again and read the sign posted beside the board. “Deep end,” I murmured. There were no other people near him.

  I watched with weak knees as the guy jumped higher and higher on the end of the board. His green and yellow bathing suit practically glowed in the bright sunlight.

  He jumped again, bouncing higher than ever. This time he soared off the end of the board. I held my breath as he somersaulted once, twice, then plunged straight into the deep end. He broke the surface of the water cleanly, sharp as a knife.

  Then he disappeared.

  I waited anxiously for him to come up.

  It seemed to take forever. I slowly walked toward the diving board, never taking my eyes off the spot where he’d disappeared.

  A loud whirring sound startled me. At first I couldn’t tell where it was coming from. Then I realized the sound came from the deep end of the pool—where the diver had disappeared!

  I dashed closer to the side. How could he stay down for so long? Did he hit his head on the bottom or something? And the whirring—was it some kind of machinery or equipment? Did the diver get caught in it somehow?

  The whirring noise suddenly stopped. Immediately, hundreds of bubbles rose to the surface of the water.

  Those bubbles must have been the diver’s, I realized. He must have stopped holding his breath!

  I shaded my eyes and hoped for a sign of the bright yellow and green bathing suit. All I could see was the deep aqua of the pool.

  The bubbles stopped rising to the surface of the water.

  And still no diver!

  Sweat beaded across my forehead. My legs and hands trembled.

  Where was he?

  The deep end of the Atlantis pool became calm and quiet.

  I shivered, my stomach curdling.

  Oh, no, I thought.

  The diver’s gone!

  3

  “Help!” I screamed. “Someone’s drowning!”

  I raced up and down the edge of the pool. “Lifeguard!” I screamed. “Where’s a lifeguard?”

  My eyes darted around the area. There were several lifeguard chairs lining the side of the pool. They were all empty.

  I searched for something to throw into the water. An inner tube. A rope, even. But I couldn’t find anything. And what good would it do anyway? The diver hadn’t even surfaced yet.

  But I had to do something.

  If only I knew how to swim! I stood at the edge, gazing at the water. Wishing I could dive in and save him.

  But there was no way. Even if I were brave enough to jump in, I’d just drown myself.

  “Help!” I bellowed again. I’ve never shouted so loud in my entire life.

  Someone raced toward me from the shallow end. “I’m a lifeguard,” he called. “What’s wrong?”

  “Someone’s drowning!” I cried. “He dove off the board into the deep end!” I pointed to where I’d seen the bubbles. “He never came up!”

  The lifeguard whipped his whistle and sunglasses off. He dove straight in and swam to where I pointed. “Here?” he demanded, turning back toward me.

  “Yes! Hurry!” I shouted.

  The lifeguard tucked and disappeared underwater.

  I raced back and forth along the side. I didn’t know what else to do. I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking.

  It seemed to take forever before the lifeguard surfaced.

  He swam quickly to the side and hauled himself out. “I searched all around,” he explained between breaths. “There’s no one down there.”

  “There has to be!” I protested. “I watched him dive in just a few minutes ago! He never came back up!”

  The lifeguard smiled. “He probably swam underwater to the shallow end and climbed out. Or maybe he got out when you were looking for help. You just didn’t see him.”

  I shook my head. I knew he hadn’t gotten out at all. All that came up were those bubbles.

  The lifeguard patted my arm. “Don’t worry. I’m sure the guy’s fine. Honest.”

  I wanted to believe him. “Maybe you’re right,” I agreed reluctantly.

  “Tad! Are you okay?” Mom called. She and Dad rushed over to us.

  “We were having a snack at the Sand Bar,” Dad huffed. “We heard you shouting. What’s wrong?”

  “It was just a mistake,” the lifeguard explained. “Your son thought he saw someone in trouble. But it’s okay. No one has drowned.”

  “Thanks for your help,” Dad told the lifeguard. “Sorry for the false alarm.”

  “No problem. That’s my job,” the lifeguard replied, and jogged off.

  “Nice to know they’re on their toes,” Dad said. “Well, I think I’m ready for a swim. How about you two?”

  “Good idea,” Mom agreed. “Let’s get Polly and go put on our suits.”

  I didn’t say a word. There was no way I was putting even my big toe in that water. Not after that diver disappeared in the deep end.

  I suddenly remembered the strange little man. Didn’t he tell me to watch out for the deep end? Could the vanishing diver have something to do with his weird warning?

  I shook my head. Too many thoughts were spinning around in there! Then I heard a small splash from the pool behind me.

  Something grabbed me by the ankle.

  Something cold and wet.

  It pulled me closer to the edge of the pool!

  “AAAAGGHHH!” I shrieked, shaking my leg loose. I glared down into the pool.

  A big, wet, grinning f
ace gazed back.

  “Hey, it’s okay,” the guy said, hauling himself out of the pool. He wore a wet-suit top and dark shorts. The words “Swimming Instructor” were embroidered on the top. Underneath that it said “Barracuda.”

  “Didn’t mean to scare you there, fella.” He laughed and patted my back. “Just thought you might want to get wet!”

  I chuckled hesitantly. “Uh—sure. Thanks,” I told the guy.

  He stuck out his hand. I shook it. “The name’s Barry.”

  “I’m Tad,” I told him. Barry’s hand was soaking wet. I wiped the water off my hand on my shorts.

  He pointed to the “Barracuda” embroidered on his wet-suit top. “Barry’s short for Barracuda, my Club Lagoona name. Everyone who visits here gets a Club Lagoona name.”

  “Cool!” Polly’s voice came from behind me. She darted over to join us. “My real name’s Polly, so what’s my Club Lagoona name?”

  Barry smiled at her. “That’s easy. You’ll be Pollywog.”

  “Pollywog,” she repeated. “I like it. My mom’s name is Catherine. Bet you can’t think of a special name for her.”

  Barry gazed at Mom. “Catherine. Catherine,” he murmured. “How about Catfish?”

  Mom laughed. “Well, I don’t have whiskers, but I like cats. Okay, I’ll be Catfish.”

  “Dad is Raymond. Ray for short,” Polly explained. “I know a good one for him.”

  “Stingray!” Polly and Barry shouted together.

  Ugh! How dorky! I thought I was going to puke.

  But Dad seemed pleased with his name.

  “Tad’s next!” Polly shouted. “What’s his Club Lagoona name?”

  I knew they’d get to me.

  Barry rubbed his chin and looked me up and down. His eyes twinkled.

  I braced myself for the worst. I had a good idea of what name they’d come up with.

  “Tad can be—Tadpole!” Barry exclaimed.

  “Just what I was thinking!” Polly giggled.

  Yup. Tadpole. Exactly what I figured they’d call me. Talk about corny. Maybe Polly didn’t mind being named for a fat baby frog, but I did!

  “Say, have you guys heard about the big race?” Barry asked.

  Race? I could feel my stomach tighten.

  We all shook our heads. I shook mine hardest.

  “It’s kind of a Club Lagoona initiation,” Barry explained. “We call it Sink or Swim.” He punched my arm lightly. “It’s where we separate the rocks from the jocks.”

  “Huh?” I asked.

  “Rocks and jocks,” he repeated. “The rocks sink. The jocks swim. But here at Club Lagoona, everyone takes lessons. We feel there’s always room for improvement, whether you’re a rock or a jock. Right, Tad?”

  “Yeah, sure,” I agreed weakly.

  “Sounds like fun,” Dad told Barry. “Tad here is sure to be one of the jocks. He’s his soccer team captain, you know.”

  Sure. I’m a jock. But only on land, Dad, I corrected him silently.

  “Tad,” Mom said. “Why don’t you stay here with Barry while Dad, Polly, and I change into our bathing suits.”

  “Great!” Barry cried.

  My parents and Polly headed for our rooms. Barry grabbed my shoulder and steered me over to the edge of the pool. “Come on, jock! Let’s get wet!”

  My brain went numb with panic. Barry moved me closer and closer to the edge of the pool. There was no way out of this!

  I glanced around. There were hundreds of people in the pool. Hundreds of people who would see that I couldn’t swim! Well, at least when I started to drown, there would be enough people around to save me.

  I bent over and gazed down into the aqua water. The image of the disappearing diver floated before me. What would happen to me down there in all that water?

  And what about the little man’s warning about the place being dangerous?

  My heart beat faster. I started to tremble.

  Give up the act, Tad, I ordered myself. Confess you can’t swim. Or it’s all over.

  I had to get out of there. I straightened up, ready to bolt.

  Then a hard shove came from behind! Right in the middle of my back!

  I grabbed armfuls of air. My legs kicked.

  I hit the water in a giant belly flop.

  The skin on my face and stomach burned from the slap of the water.

  I sank. Like a rock. Deep into the water.

  I shut my eyes and held my breath.

  Everything I hate about the water started happening. Water seeped into my ears. It shot straight up my nose.

  I panicked and opened my eyes. The saltwater burned so much, I could barely see. My mouth opened and water rushed down my throat, choking me.

  I flailed around, trying to touch the bottom with my feet. But I couldn’t! The water was too deep. I was in over my head!

  I’m going to drown! I thought, wild with panic.

  I struggled to the top for air. When I got there, I could see Barry standing calmly on the side. He smiled down at me, watching. Waiting for me to prove what a jock I was.

  I knew I’d have to fake it. And maybe I wouldn’t drown.

  Maybe.

  I gulped a big breath of air. I tried to move my arms and legs the way I’d seen swimmers do.

  I stretched my arms out in front of me and brought them around. They pulled me forward a little.

  Then I kicked my legs out behind me kind of like a frog. But instead of moving forward, I somehow went backward!

  This wasn’t working at all.

  I’m in big trouble! I thought.

  I gasped for breath again. I felt myself sinking.

  My shoulders dipped below the surface. I tilted my face to keep it out of the water.

  I opened my mouth to scream.

  And swallowed what seemed like a gallon of water.

  I sputtered furiously as I plunged to the bottom of the pool.

  Oh, no! I thought. I’m drowning!

  4

  I fought with every muscle against sinking. But I was so tired from struggling.

  My lungs were ready to burst. My arms and legs felt heavy. I could barely move them through the water. I tried to stroke. I tried to kick. But I didn’t seem to move any closer to the surface.

  Then I heard the noise. That same strange whirring I’d noticed before. The whirring that I heard when the diver vanished. It came from somewhere in the pool.

  My eyes adjusted to the saltwater. I caught a glimpse of something large and green in the pool with me.

  It was long and thick. Maybe I could grab it and save myself! I tried to paddle toward it.

  Luckily it was heading my way!

  I tried to focus my eyes on it. What could it be? A log? No, it wiggled too much.

  The strange green thing moved closer. Suddenly it lashed out! It wrapped around my arm.

  That’s when I realized what it was.

  A tentacle.

  An enormous sea creature had me in its slimy, powerful grasp!

  My arms and legs jerked into action. I had no control over them. My hands reached out as if I were clutching the water ahead of me. My legs shot out behind me and kicked like crazy.

  I couldn’t worry about drowning. My only thought was to get away. To get out of that pool!

  I plowed through the water, my heart pounding. The tentacle slid off my arm.

  My body kicked into high gear now. The water split in front of me.

  I broke through the surface so fast, I rose out of the water. I sucked in giant gulps of air. I caught a glimpse of the side of the pool.

  Barry still stood there, watching me.

  I didn’t waste any time. I flung myself through the water.

  A minute later my knuckles scraped against cement. I grabbed the side and locked on. In one smooth motion I pulled my body right out of the pool.

  I lurched onto the sand, gasping for breath.

  Barry stood over me. “Your form needs some major work, Tadpole. But, boy, was that fast!”
he said.

  My heart pounded. I struggled to catch my breath. I had to tell Barry. I swam like that only because I had to escape a monster!

  I panted and wheezed.

  Finally, I stood up. “Barry.” I coughed. “Listen, I have to tell you. There’s something weird in that pool. Some kind of—monster!”

  Barry stared at me. Grinning.

  “I know this sounds crazy,” I continued, “but I saw a diver disappear in the deep end. He went down and never came back up. I heard this weird whirring noise. And that’s not all.” My words came faster and faster. “Something came up from the deep end just now. It was big and green. It looked like a tentacle. It reached out and grabbed my arm!”

  Barry smiled. “Big and green, huh?” he asked.

  “Yes!” I nodded.

  “And kind of long and squiggly?” he continued. I nodded again.

  “Tad, what grabbed you wasn’t a monster. It was a piece of seaweed.” Barry laughed.

  “Seaweed?” I demanded. “No way. What would seaweed be doing in a pool?”

  “Club Lagoona promises to give you the water adventure of a lifetime. Right?” Barry asked.

  “Yeah . . .” I said uncertainly.

  “So we try to make everything as realistic as possible. Our saltwater Atlantis pool actually has seaweed growing from the bottom. Neat, huh?” Barry punched my arm.

  I thought about the thing that grabbed me. It was big and green and kind of slimy. Maybe it was seaweed.

  Maybe.

  “Lighten up, Tad!” Barry shook his head at me. “That’s what Club Lagoona is all about. Having fun, relaxing, and getting wet!” He dipped his foot in the pool and splashed me.

  “Don’t forget, Tad, your Sink or Swim trial is first thing tomorrow morning. That’s where we separate the rocks from the jocks! The ‘sinkers’ from the ‘swimmers.’ Your performance in that race will determine which swimming class you’ll be in,” Barry explained. “From what I saw just now, I doubt you’ll be swimming with the Sharks, but—”

  “The Sharks?” I interrupted, my eyes wide.

  “The advanced swimming class,” Barry explained. “They’re called the Sharks! But remember, no matter how good—or bad—you are, Club Lagoona will make you a better swimmer. So on your last day we have another Sink or Swim relay. We like to see how much everyone has improved. Cool, huh?”