20-A SHARK'S FIN

A SHARK'S FIN Within minutes, the storm hit us. Waves rocked the boat back and forth like one of those awful rides at the Wild Whiskers water park. Did I mention I get seasick? We hid below deck, waiting for the sea to calm down. The waves grew higher and higher. My stomach began to churn away. I felt like a furry washing machine on the super- spin cycle. I peered inside the galley. Trap was stirring a big pot of fish fondue. "Let's see, A LITTLE SWISS, A LITTLE CHEDDAR, a little shrimp, a little cod, and of course, a lot of "RED HOT CHILI SAUCE..." he muttered softly.

I covered my nose with a handkerchief. The smell was NAUSEATING. Oh, why couldn't my cousin stick with something simple, like grilled cheese sandwiches or even a nice cheddar log? For a minute, I thought about making a suggestion, but changed my mind. Trap thinks he's a WORLD-CLASS chef. He would squeak my ear off if I interfered. After a disgusting dinner, we climbed into bed. "Tomorrow, we dive at dawn. We must be the first to recover the treasure, Thea said. My aunt Sweetfur wrung her paws. "OH, MY DEARS, PLEASE BE CAREFUL," she pled. "Don't worry, Auntie. We'll be fine," I reassured her. But I was worried. No, I was more than worried. I WAS DOWNRIGHT TERRIFIED!

The night dragged on and on. I didn't sleep a WINK. I kept thinking about the dangerous dive the next day. Plus, the boat was pitching up and down on the waves like some crazed rat on a trampoline. My stomach was a mess. Still, I couldn't tell if it was due to the churning ocean WAVES, or Trap's awful cooking. This wouldn't be the first time I got food poisoning from one of my cousin's revolting concoctions. At five o'clock in the morning, the waves

stopped crashing. How strange. It was like a magician had waved a magic wand. Now the whole sea was calm. We put on our diving suits. I closed my eyes and took the plunge. Before I hit the water, I heard Benjamin's voice. "Look out, they're right behind you!" he yelled. I glanced around. Rancid rat hairs! The two mice from the other boat were after us. "Hey, CHEESEBRAIN!" they shrieked,

waving their paws in the air. I didn't know what to do. Keep going? Turn back? Curl up into a ball and sob like a newborn? I was still deciding, when I heard another shout. "Shark? Shark?" someone squeaked. Just then, I saw it. A SHARK'S fin was weaving its way across the waves. It was headed straight for Greedy Whiskers and Hairy. It chased them to a little inlet. They flung themselves onshore. I chuckled. It looked like those two would be spending the night on land. I was still giggling when I saw the shark turn around. I watched in horror as it headed in my direction. Holy cheese! I swam back to our boat in record time. It was AMAZING.

I hoped my sister was watching. All of a sudden, a loud splash interrupted my thoughts. I looked down. The shark swam up to our boat. What happened next? I couldn't tell you. I had fainted. When I came to, Trap was standing over me. "Don't be such a scaredy mouse, Germeister," he said, waving the shark fin in the air. "It was just me." I rolled my eyes. I should have known. Oh, why did I come on this horrible trip? After a few minutes, my sister and I dove into the water again. We swam down to the wreck, found the captain's cabin, and opened the chest. Thank goodness, the treasure was still there!