Waves pummel the beach, lashing the sand as the sea rushes to claim me. I squeal and race up the steep, winding path to the cabin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I scramble to the top of the cliff, black clouds open and lightening streaks across the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaggie, Maggie,\u201d my mother demands, her voice carried away by the storm, \u201ccome inside now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thunder shakes the ground as I race to safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTake off your wet things and dry off,\u201d Mamma orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s Pappa?\u201d I ask as I strip off my soaked pinafore in front of the fire before dragging on dry clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s gone to put the light on. This storm\u2019s a big one!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On cue, a clanging bell propels us into action. Holding a lantern, Mamma leads the way to the top of the cliff where Pappa is waiting. The light flashes across the bow of a ship listing in the enormous swell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s hit the reef. Going down,\u201d Pappa screams through the howling wind. He\u2019s holding a whistle and lantern in one hand; rope is slung over his shoulder and he\u2019s clutching a life buoy to his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do we do, Pappa? We have to help them,\u201d I cry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s too dangerous to launch the raft. Stay here Maggie,\u201d Pappa orders as my parents start the steep and slippery descent to the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blowing on the whistle, Pappa flings the buoy as far as he can. Together he and Mamma drag in a young boy who coughs and splutters before losing his grip and disappearing under the waves. Pappa wades in, carrying the boy back to shore. He keeps trying, trying until he has no strength left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That night, terrified screams wake us. We learn that Danny was the cabin boy and the ship was on route to Melbourne when it ran aground on the reef.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next day Mamma and Pappa gather the bodies of the crew from the beach while I tend to Danny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t the storm that sunk us \u2026 I saw it \u2026 push the ship onto the reef then drag it down.\u201d Danny makes the sign of the cross before continuing. \u201cThe Kraken,\u201d he whispers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Kraken,\u201d I repeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShush,\u201d Danny urges. \u201cIf you speak its name and knock three times it comes. I didn\u2019t believe them. I thought it was just a sailor\u2019s tale, a myth. So, I tried it. It\u2019s my fault. I killed them. Killed them all,\u201d Danny sobs and I pat his arm, unsure what to do or say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fifteen bodies are recovered. Mamma and Pappa lay them in a grassy space next to the cabin. Danny identifies each man and tells us ten are still missing, including the captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That night when Mamma and Pappa go to bed, Danny sneaks to my side and begs me not to tell anyone what he\u2019s shared. He\u2019s convinced others will be like him and try to call the creature. I agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides, Pappa always said the sea likes to keep her secrets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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