Quetzalcoatl (Ketz-al-co-ah-Tel) Chapter Nine
DAVY: Garrett ran to shore, crying on the way. About 30 feet from the water, he dropped his crutch in the sand and hopped on one leg toward the water, whistling for Quetzalcoatl. When he was knee-deep in the surf, he fell forward and began to swim out into the waves. In moments, Quetzalcoatl was beneath him. Garrett hugged him and continued to cry as they drifted away from the island.
CATHERINE: Who could that be?
FRED MUNROE: Hi. Is Garrett here? I was wondering if he could play.
CATHERINE: No, I’m afraid not. He’s gone down to the beach.
FRED MUNROE: Oh, ok. Thank you.
CATHERINE: Certainly! And thank you for stopping by.
DAVY: Where was Fred before Garrett found the armor?
CATHERINE: Garrett said he wouldn’t leave because he finally had a friend. Maybe that’s the boy.
JAMES: Somehow, that doesn’t seem right.
DAVY: Garrett rolled off Quetzal’s back and swam toward his head. To a casual observer, it would appear as the most terrible sight imaginable: Quetzalcoatl’s massive blood-red mouth opening and engulfing Garrett. Unlike previous dives, Quetzalcoatl paused on the surface for several moments. His great nostrils flared as he took in enough air to fill his massive lungs.
DAVY: In a single graceful motion, Quetzalcoatl disappeared beneath the waves and sped toward the bottom. In about 60 feet of water, Quetzalcoatl turned into a small opening and then swam horizontally under the island, zigging and zagging back forth for what seemed to Garrett like an eternity. Then Quetzalcoatl took another turn straight down for several minutes. Garrett knew how fast Quetzalcoatl could swim. He could only guess as to how deep they were under the island now. Then suddenly, Quetzalcoatl took another sharp turn, and they were moving horizontally again. The air was getting thin, and Garrett was getting scared.
GARRETT: How much further? Good. We’re running out of air.
DAVY: Suddenly Quetzalcoatl broke the surface and gulped in air through his nose and opened mouth. Garrett went from pitch black to complete and absolute darkness.
GARRETT: Where are we? Step onto what? Oh, ok. I can feel it. You say there’s a lantern? Ok. There. I think I’ve got it, wait, here we go. Wow! Does that oil smell bad. It is, oh my, a treasure room. It’s gigantic! I can’t even see how far it goes. What? But I just got the lantern lit. We just got here. What do you mean grab something we have to leave? Sea dragon’s lair? Oh, no! No! Here? Now?
DAVY: Quetzalcoatl grabbed Garrett and began dragging him away. Garrett reached out and hurriedly managed to grab a small leather pouch, as Quetzalcoatl engulfed him and they prepared to retreat.
Garrett reached out to grab anything he could lay his hands on. It was an old leather strap.
DAVY: The skeleton it was attached to broke in several pieces as Garrett tugged. After the bones had fallen into the water, Quetzalcoatl opened his teeth just enough for the strap to slip through.
GARRETT: Is there any other way out of here other than the way we came? Great!
DAVY: Quetzalcoatl’s great body heaved as his massive lungs filled with air and they began to dive. Then Garrett heard the worst, most terrifying, ear-splitting screech he could ever have imagined.
SEA DRAGON: Screeeechhh!
GARRETT: Oh no! We are gonna die!
SEA DRAGON: Screeechhh!
DAVY: Quetzalcoatl took a ferocious thump on the right side, knocking him sideways against the tunnel wall. Garrett’s head slammed against one of Quetzalcoatl’s teeth. It hurt terribly, and Garrett lost consciousness for a moment. He could feel the blood trickling down his neck.
GARRETT: Are you ok? Don’t lie to me. I can feel it. You’re hurt.
DAVY: Quetzalcoatl’s breathing was fast and heavy. By the movement of Quetzalcoatl’s tongue, Garrett knew that he was nervous. There was another terrible series of thumps, and again Quetzalcoatl was hammered against the tunnel wall. A breath of air was knocked from Quetzalcoatl’s giant mouth, and Garrett could almost see the precious bubbles of air floating upward.
DAVY: Quetzalcoatl’s legs were clawing and kicking. Quetzalcoatl rolled over several times, causing Garrett to become dizzy and sick to his stomach.
Garrett was already nauseated. Now he was ready to vomit right there in Quetzalcoatl’s mouth. Then Garrett felt another terrible thump.
GARRETT: We’re past him, aren’t we? Yes, I know. I’ll hold my breath.
To listen and read along with the rest of this month’s episode of QUETZALCOATL, go to www.talesofdavyjones.com or www.kidsvillenews.com. A Teacher’s Guide to accompany this 12- chapter story is available at www.KidsvilleNews.com. An audio version CD set and workbook are also available online. Copyright 2011 by Carl F. Gundestrup. All rights reserved. Now Available: Get the “Digital Download” audio adventure for $1.99 for Kidsville News kids, teachers and parents at www.talesofdavyjones.com. Use the code word DAVY JONES
