Dark Tails

Most of this story is intended to be based on a lot of scientific facts and real life things excluding the obvious fiction. Regarding the science and scientific terms in this story, I did the best with the resources I had.

I include the fictional lives of research facility employees as well. This information also, again, very well may not be accurate to the actual work life of a research facility employee.

Hate will be reported. Constructive criticism and polite corrections are welcome as it will make this story better. Thank you.

DARK TAILS

Tom Stark's P.O.V

My name is Tom Stark. I am 36 years old. I am an environmental scientist and zoologist. For years I have been searching for signs of extreme unexpected life in the environment around me. But it is all expected. Rabbits, squirrels, birds, chipmunks, raccoons in the suburbs. Bears, elk, moose, geese, deer in the woodlands. Polar bears, penguins, leopard seals, and walruses in the frozen tundra.

Tomorrow I am meeting up with my boss Rick Hogin and his son Stanley. Stanley is also my coworker as well as my best friend. The 3 of us are tagging along with British angler Jeremy Wade of the show "River Monsters" on a trip to the Vaal River in Africa to study the ecosystem revolving around the giant catfish. It's a good opportunity for the research facility I work at really. To be working with someone who has seen many forms of freshwater life.

"You excited for tomorrow?" asked my wife Jannit.

"You bet your ass I am" I said feeling proud. "I have never went on a business trip to study any type of aquatic or semi aquatic life before so this should be interesting".

Jannit got into bed and we both turned out the lights. And I awaited for my alarm clock to wake me up for my business trip.

(BEEPBEEP...BEEPBEEP)

Hmm? Oh yeah my business trip. Where's that clock? I can't feel it.

(PLOP)

...There it is.

"Jesus Tom you gotta stop pushing the alarm clock off the counter every time you wake up" said an awakened Jannit as I got up to pick it up.

"Sorry sweetie" I said. I looked at the time. 7:30 AM. I have to be at the research facility at 8. Since when does this clock tell the wrong time? I set it for 6:30. I'm not gonna make it. Unless I rush.

"Why are you rushing Tom?" asked a sleepy Jannit as I slapped on my suit and gathered my suitcase.

"I'm late Jannit" I said as I ran in my bathroom to brush my teeth.

"Really?" she said. "Since when does this clock tell the wrong time?"

I laughed in my mind. My Jannit. Great minds think alike.

"Bye honey!" I said as I stormed out the door. I then got in my car, slammed the door shut, and stepped on it.

I thought about the trip. What it would be like. I have never been to Africa before or studied any aquatic or semi aquatic life. This was an exciting change in my job.

Left, right, intersection, straight. At the end of this road the employee bus awaits.

I stop and get out to see everyone getting on the bus.

"Tom!" said a familiar voice.

"Stanley!" I said waiting for my best friend to give me a hug.

We hugged and pat each other on the back.

"Can you believe it!" he said. "We're gonna observe a reality tv show!"

"Gaah I know right!" I said dragging my luggage up the bus steps.

Moments later I was sitting in a bus seat with my best pal Stanley sleeping next to me. I've know Stanley Hogin since junior year of high school when his dad Rick Hogin gave me an internship at the research facility named after his family.

On this here bus, sits the authorities of Hogin Zoology Facility, as well as a few interns, along with respective zoologists and article writers like Stanley and myself. The vice chairman is watching over the others back at the facility.

We are almost at the airport. I can feel it.

The bus stops.

"Stanley!" I scream-whisper. "Wake up buddy!" "We're at the airport".

"Hmm?" he says as he stretches and opens his eyes.

" Oh sh*t dude lets goooo!" he cries realizing the group of facility staff rushing into the building.

We all go through security, assure we've had our vaccinations, show our passports, get a quick snack, and get on the plane. And before I knew it, it was just like the bus ride with staff members talking and Stanley sleeping next to me. But on a plane this time.

The Little Mermaid was the in flight movie. I had nothing else to do, so I was pretty much forced to watch it. It could be worse I guess.

I started thinking about the giant catfish afterwards. It's exact size, what it ate, if anything ate IT. If there was something more extraordinary lurking in the river. I then fell asleep.

"Tom!" said God knows who. "Tom!"

God knows who was shaking me. My glued shut eyes broke open. My buddy Stanley woke me.

"Get up Tom we're here" he said before rushing off. I followed not long after.

"International passengers welcome to Kruger International Airport" said an announcer. I found Stanley and marveled at the South African airplane base with him.

"Wow!" he said. "What a sight!"

"Sure is" I said in agreement.

"HZRF staff members!" said Rick Hogin my boss and Stanley's dad. HZRF means Hogin Zoology Research Facility by the way.

"We are supposed to be meeting Jeremy Wade and his camera crew outside so let's move!" he said. Everybody went outside. Not too long after I saw Jeremy Wade and his camera crew greet Rick in the distance. I checked my watch. 6:00. No way in hell do we have time to go to the river.

Jeremy, he's coming this way.

"You must be Tom Stark" he said. I shook his hand. "Pleasure to meet you Mr.Wade" I said. "Big fan of your show". "You know my son's name is Jerremy with 2 r's".

"Well Tom he sounds like a fine fellow already" he joked. "I saw you checkin' your watch a second ago" he said. "Gettin' late for a fishin' trip ain't it?" he said. "Yes sir it is" I responded in agreement. "You my friend are very observant".

"Well we all better get GOIN' TO THE HOTEL RIGHT EVERYBODY" he said shifting his conversation from me to the staff members. Another bus came by the airport and we all got on.