Sorry that this chapter is slower at first. But as you may have guessed by reading it, it's the last chapter set on earth. 

I plan to come back and flesh this out more, but I really wanted to get this published today. Please comment and vote! Thank you for your support! Comment about what you like or with any suggestions or questions! Follow me if you like and I follow back!

Next chapter starts with all the vampires/deamons!!!!!

Also, the Nigerian Civil War is historically accurate. It took place between 1967-1970.

Uncertainty was the only identifiable feeling I was experiencing. I didn't even know If I should feel scared. Whatever that swimming lizard was it couldn't hurt me now (at least I could be certain that the eat Katie window closed about two million years ago), but something still didn't feel right.

While the rest of the group double-checked the supplies I took the chance to speak with Dr. Omari. "Professor Omari, I wanted to formally introduce myself. I'm Katherine Murkwood. Your work has been a huge influence on mine." I held out my hand for a handshake,  wiping my sweaty palm on my tank top before he could see. "It's a privilege to be working alongside you." The professor looked up from his notepad, muttering about ponchos, and smiled in reply. 

"Nice to meet you, Katherine. Please, call me Dr. O." I nodded. " I read your thesis as part of the screening process for this position. It was very interesting and well written. There is still so much we don't know about fresh water dolphins and how they split from their marine brothers. I'm happy a bright mind like yours is looking into the mysteries." I smiled like an idiot at his praise. "Now, is there something you wanted to discuss with me?" 

Checking to see if the others were still busy with a quick glance, I returned my focus to the scholar. "What do you make of all of this? The creature I mean." Omari paused a moment before answering. "When I was a young boy, I adamantly believed in the Loch Ness Monster." I must have looked confused because the professor laughed. "I grew up in a very poor region of Nigeria, so I often encountered humanitarian workers. When I was eleven, a group of Christian missionaries built a small school in the slums where my family lived. Inside of it were several dozen books donated by the church and for Christmas, each child was gifted one to keep."

Amber, Lin, and Mikey walked over to me finished with their jobs. I hushed them before they could speak, entranced by Dr. Omari's story. His eyes danced as he conjured the memory and I hardly noticed it when Lin snaked his hand into mine. 

"I was given a small chapter book about the legend of Loch Ness" the professor continued." At first, I was disappointed. I had wanted something with colorful pictures" he chuckled. "That is because I could barely read. A missionary noticed my displeasure and realizing I could not read the summary, she explained it to me. She said that a real-life giant monster lived in a dark lake in Scotland. It wasn't a fairy tale book, it was about a real creature.  Wanting to know more I returned to the school with my book every day where I learned to read and write, as well as speak English. It wasn't long before my entire community knew the legend of Loch Ness."

I looked at Mike, remembering how similarly we had acted as children when the professor spoke again. "My parents saved money to send me to school in the city so that maybe one day, I could go see Nessie for myself. Until then, I went to the local school and cleaned up around the church. When I turned fifteen, I had saved up enough money to pay for one semester of high school. It was going to be my ticket out of the slums, to go to Loch Ness. But it was a very dangerous time for my country. We were in the middle of a civil war, bloody and destructive. Many, many lives were lost; including those of my parents."

Stunned, I continued listening to the Dr.'s tale. "I  poured myself into my studies and was accepted to university in England when I was seventeen. After earning my degree in paleontology I went back to Nigeria so as to take my younger sister out of the slums. I had to take a job as a research assistant to support the two of us, now making sure my sister received an education. Even with it so close I never got the chance to go to Loch Ness until I was much older. When Victor told me about this expedition I jumped at it. This is the closest I could be to meeting Nessie. It is also my way of thanking my parents for their sacrifice. Dr. Rawlin has agreed to let me name the beast Ireti, the Yoruba word for hope, to honor my family. What I think Ms. Katherine is that this creature will change the world."

"Thank you for sharing Dr. O. It was...... really inspiring. I guess I'm not the only one overwhelmed by this whole thing." Professor smiled "It is my story to tell. And look!" He gestured at the sky, " The overcast and drizzle make me feel like I'm in Scotland" he said jokingly. "Do not pity me, Katherine. I know something incredible is going to happen today."

The rain wasn't coming down as frequently as it had before (it hadn't been heavy in the first place), so we all loaded into the jeeps while Dr. Rawlin led us in the truck. It was now about five degrees hotter than two hours ago, in addition to being incredibly muggy. Again, I hated Florida. I worked my cell phone out of my pocket and began texting my mother. 

Hey, mom! Just wanted to remind you that I love you. Also, thank you for always supporting my dreams, you've never let me down. I can't go into it, but things at work are crazy! Nothing bad so don't worry! It's just a bunch of staring at rocks and getting sunburns. I'm getting to work with my heroes, the ones other than you or dad ;)  so that's really cool. When will it be professionally acceptable to ask them to sign my posters? JK........  Ok so not JK.... Get back to me with that time frame <3  I'll text you when I get back in cell range, so probably tomorrow morning. I'll skype you and dad then. Miss you both, the puppies, and the cat. Tell Auntie that Mike made it here too. Love you! Talk to you-

"Tomorrow?" Amber's voice interrupted me as I pressed send. SENT. "What?" I looked at Amber and then to Shawn who were bickering. "Try to explain to your friend that there is no time like the present, Katie." Shawn's words confused me.

 Driving to the mysterious location involved off-roading, so after a half-hour, I had tuned out. "What? I'm sorry I was spacing out. What's going on?" This time it was Amber who replied, "All I said was maybe we should wait until tomorrow to look at this thing. It's not even two pm and they've already laid seriously some heavy shit on us. I just suggested taking some time to process this when Miss Wacko over here freaked out." Amber wasn't wrong about the need to think this over. She totally shouldn't speak that way to a professor (way out of line). Still, we had basically been handed the paleontological equivalent to proof of extraterrestrials, we needed time to process.  "There is no time like the present. Every moment counts. Stop being so lazy!" Shawn snarled back at Amber and sped up the jeep. "Okay kiddos, get out. We're at our stop."

After the boat was docked and loaded up, Professor Rawlin spoke. "Each one of you is to wear a life jacket at all times when on this boat. You are adults. Behave like it." He aimed the last part at Mike and Amber, who were wearing their life vests like diapers.

 "Moving on! I have already laid boundaries out and roped off the area around the fossil. Do not remove anything from within the boundaries without consulting with me. Period." Dr. Rawlin was suddenly stern and militant, causing me to stand straight like a soldier. "Do what you need to investigate the specimen and feel free to look around the area. Lin, Katie, Mike, I want you to spread out and really look at this thing. See what you can tell me. Amber will be taking measurements and Jordan will be taking soil and rock samples. Now put on your boots and take a walkie. Channel 3. Any questions?"

I raised my hand, but before I could speak water splashed in my eye. I looked around but it seemed that I was the only one bothered. "Yes, Katie?" I shook my head, "Sorry sir. I forgot to mention I brought my digital camera if you would like to use it." Rawlin nodded, "we have three professional-grade cameras for surveying but I would like another digital one. Hand it off to Amber."

Moving to hand my friend the device I felt another splash. "Ok, seriously!? Is no one else getting rained on?" The group looked back to me confused. "Never mind, here doll face." Amber grinned and took the camera as we boarded the boat.

It's hard to describe the smell of muddy water, but I loved it. The river was so deep and full of life here that as we zoomed by the motor stirred up earthy smells and plant life. There were insects and frogs everywhere, the air filled with their calls. I started to put my hand in the water but yanked it back quickly after spotting a snake swimming next to the boat. My body jostled a bit at Lin took the seat beside me.

"Hey, you." He gave a dazzling smile upon meeting my eyes. I set a reminder in my brain to fall into those ocean eyes at a later date "Howdy. What's going on?"  Lin smirked at my southern slang. Being as we were both in a fast-moving water vehicle and we both sported long hair, strands were flying about. When some stuck to my face Lin reached out and moved them, sending a flush to my cheeks. 

"Can I ask you something?" The young man switched to Japanese and moved his body closer to mine. "Go for it," I replied with what I hoped was a confident enough smile. Lin let his head fall back against the boat. "How come you didn't pull away from me any today? When I held you and stuff. " I wanted to point out that I did try to once, very half-assed mind you, but his point still stood. "Because I didn't want to Lin." "And why is that?" He was quick to reply.

I wanted to press pause on the world. Jordan had somehow fallen asleep and the floor despite the vibrations, and Amber was using him as a footstool. Mikey had pulled out his weird trigonometry sudoku thing (damn show off), while Dr.O and Shawn discussed something I couldn't make out. At that moment I felt very small. I didn't have a plan for how today should have gone, but if I did, this was definitely not it.

"What exactly are you expecting me to say, Lin? We hang out all the time, not just because you live with Mike." My cousin looked up in response to his name being the only English bit of that exchange. "Jordan's birthday party?" This time it was Lin's turn to blush. We had gotten pretty heavy at the party, we were all over each other. What's more, I had been the one to initiate it all.

I continued with a sigh. "You must be really, really dumb. I like you. But the thing is Lin, I'm not a plaything. And whatever this is between us, we need to work it out as soon as possible. This trip is really important to me and I'm not about to let some guy complicated it. Even if he is one of my best friends."

Hurt unexpectedly flickered across Lin's perfect smile. "I don't think of you as a plaything Katie. Is that what you really thought?"

"No!" I tried to back track. "It's just, no.... Lin this expedition is really special to me. This is about my career. Listen, I know this day has been crazy for all of us, but we have a job to do." I leaned closer to Lin, planting a soft kiss on his lips. "Take me on a date when we get back you nerd." Lin smiled and kissed me back, "ok. We can-". Dr. Rawlin cut him off. "Alright team, we're almost there"

Off in the distance was a muddy island in the middle of the river full of black colored silt and patchy grass. I began gathering my share of the supplies as the boat approached the bank when a dark shadow moved in the water next to the boat. THUMP.  The team yelped as the boat rocked. "What was that?" Mike peered into the water searching for whatever we hit. "A manatee maybe?" Amber's voice was sorrowful. Another more powerful bump rocked the boat. "We must be hitting some rocks," I said nervously noticing that the water had become more choppy when the rain began beating against my head. 

Dark clouds materialized across the sky, devouring any light. They began weeping wave after wave of heavy rain and lightning tore across the sky."Shawn! Where the hell did this storm come from?" I could barely hear Dr. Rawlin over the howls of the wind. Trees waved their branches like skeletal arms and dirt flew in the air. Next thing I knew the boat flipped, sending us all into the unforgiving waters. I didn't know it then, but time on earth was up. 

I hissed as my body hit the cold water. Opening my eyes I could barely see around me and I swam desperately to the water's surface. I gasped as the air filled my lungs gagging on the water I had inhaled. "Mike!" I yelled, struggling against the waves. I swam to the bank, full of adrenaline. My soaked clothes were dragging me down but I pushed on. 

"KATIE!" I heard Amber's terrified call but couldn't find her. "Amber where are you?" tears filled my eyes but I kept heading for land. My head plunged under the water one more time as I dragged my body through the mud and onto the shore. 

"Katherine!" Dr. Rawlin limped behind me, bleeding heavily from a wound on his leg. "Professor you're hurt!" I dragged him under a tree and tore off part of his sleeve, securing it above the wound. It didn't take long for the khaki fabric to turn red. "Find the others" his voice was full of pain and tears welled in my eyes. "Sir I can't! Some sort of hurricane is.... I don't even" "Katie!" I heard Amber call out again.

Scanning the water's edge I saw a few figures struggling to climb ashore. I sprinted through the mud desperate to get to my friends. Lin's face was caked in mud and Amber was shaking violently as I pulled them into a tight hug. "Where are Jordan and Mike?" Amber screeched as I saw Mikey carrying a figure in his arms. "No!"

Jordan's limp body was still in my cousin's arms, but there was something wrong with his (Jordan's arms). He (Jordan) only had one. "It was the motor." Mike was crying as he held his best friend. "It took his arm clean off." Amber wailed louder and I emptied my stomach on my shoes. 

The ground sunk under our feet and there was a collective scream as the dirt crumbled, landing us in the water again.  That's when I saw the shadow again. It was quick, darting back and forth with ridiculous speed. My blood ran cold. I couldn't tell what we were sharing the water with, but we needed to get out right now. "Hurry! There is something in the water!" We all swam to the shore, Mikey still holding Jordan's lifeless corpse. I helped Lin lift the body out of the water when he screamed. 

"Jordan!?" Amber dove back into the water to help. "No!" Jordan's voice was frantic, "guys get out of the water! There is something in...." his voice trailed and he was truly gone. I saw the shadow swim past again, this time close enough to feel the water move in its wake. "Get out of the water. GET OUT OF THE WATER!" I pulled on Amber's hand desperate to flee the water. "I don't think it was the motor that took his arm!" But it was too late.

One by one my friends screamed and disappeared under the water. "No!" I tried to reach for them but saw movement from the corner of my eye, Now the water filled with more shadows and dug my fingers into the mud, pulling myself onto the bank. 

As suddenly as it started the wind stilled, though the sky remained black. Tears streamed down my face and I looked in horror as the water turned a deep red. "MIKE!" I dragged my bare stomach across the ground trying to get to the water. That's when an unfamiliar face looked back at me and smiled, mouth full of serrated teeth.

A woman stared back at me from the water, her large black eyes unblinking. Her face was covered in algae and long black hair fell all around her. Four more similar looking women emerged around her from the bloodied water. I whimpered as they let out unearthly shrieks. One dove again and pulled something from the water to the surface.

 A face I had known my entire life looked back with clouded eyes. "Mikey!" I lunged out trying to grab my cousin but realized my mistake too late. A gray and green arm shot out of the water and I felt scales brush against my skin. Webbed fingers pushed sharp claws into my skin causing me to cry out. Once again I was plunged into the water, this time blacking out to the sounds of a beautiful song.