The Shark Rider by Ellen Prager

shiny wood floor in front of Hugh.
    â€œHey, just like when we first met,” Hugh laughed.
    â€œYou think that was funny, pudge pot?” Rosina snarled from the ground. Her hair was still straggly and dishwater brown, but at least it looked like it hadbeen combed within the last week or so. She had on her navy blue camp T-shirt and a pair of well-worn cutoff jeans.
    â€œUh, sorry,” Hugh said, giving her a helping hand up. He then reached over to assist Sam.
    â€œNo broken bones, I guess,” Rosina said a little less sourly.
    â€œHi, Hugh.” Sam gave him a hug. “Where’s Tristan?”
    â€œDown here,” Tristan called out, sitting in the sand, brushing it out of his hair and off his clothes.
    â€œThings never change.” Sam laughed as she ran down the steps to help Tristan up. She gave him a hug, her gray-blue eyes twinkling with delight. Sam’s wheat-colored hair was in a ponytail, and she, too, was wearing her camp T-shirt.
    â€œJust got here. Dad’s finally coming around—said it was okay for me to come back. Have you been to the Rehab Center? What about the lagoon? Saw that photo, Tristan—what were you thinking? What . . .”
    â€œYup, things don’t change, do they,” Tristan said, interrupting. Sam still had a habit of speed talking whenever she was nervous or excited.
    â€œHave you seen Ryder or the twins?” Sam asked.
    â€œRan into Ryder at lunch. No sign of the twins,” Tristan told her.
    They had several hours before the camp welcome dinner. Tristan eagerly suggested they go for a swim in the lagoon.

    As they walked, Tristan told Sam about the new security cameras in the park and about the last two days spent watching for spies, possibly some of Rickerton’s men. He also described the lengthy new reptiles in the sea turtle pond, though he neglected to mention his near face-to-face introduction to one. Rosina walked slightly behind and snapped at them whenever they tried to talk to her or include her in the conversation.
    â€œWhat’s her problem, anyway?” Hugh said quietly to Tristan and Sam.
    Sam whispered, “Not sure. Maybe she’s nervous. She was never a great swimmer. I’m kinda nervous too. Just hope my webbing comes back and I haven’t forgotten anything from last year.”
    â€œYou forgot to mention this whole evil rich guy possibly coming after us thing,” Hugh said sarcastically. “Nervous? Who’s nervous?”
    â€œLook, it may not even be him,” Tristan said. “And Hugh, you’re not still freaked out about swimming in the lagoon are you?”
    Hugh shrugged.
    â€œBut you did great last year,” Sam told him. “Remember the octopus, fish, and squid in the Bahamas? You were a star. I thought you got over all that.”
    â€œThat seems like a long time ago,” Hugh mumbled, dragging his feet as they arrived at the dock.
    For as much as Hugh was hesitant, Tristan was equally, if not more, excited. He loved swimming in the lagoon, going fast and looking for sea creatures. Tristan whipped off his T-shirt and took a long swig of the pink Sea Camp water they’d brought along.
    â€œHope the stuff in here still works,” Tristan said, just before he dove into the lagoon and sped away underwater.
    Sam jumped in next and chased after Tristan. Hugh sat down on the dock, staring into the water below. Rosina sat next to him. A large bird suddenly swooped down, grazing the tops of their heads. Both teens ducked so quickly they nearly fell into the water. The pelican landed and waddled over to them.
    Rosina’s face lit up. “Hi, Henry.”
    A small flock of white birds flew low over their heads, again causing the teens to duck.
    â€œI wish they’d stop doing that,” Hugh groaned.
    The winged newcomers landed nearby and began milling about. The six white birds were smaller than Henry, each with a long, curved, reddish-pink bill.