The Shark Rider by Ellen Prager Page B

shark. Nice work . Hey, did you hear about the fish and stuff dying? Sounds bad. You guys going to investigate?
    Tristan told the shark that they just arrived and hadn’t heard anything about any fish dying. He then told the others what Snaggle-Tooth had said.
    â€œAsk him where,” Sam suggested.
    Tristan conversed with Snaggle-Tooth for a few more minutes before the shark swam away.
    â€œHe wants to go find some other people to show his teeth to,” Tristan told them.
    â€œHope he doesn’t run into any new campers or, like, normal people,” Hugh said. “Talk about freaking out. Would’ve scared me out of the water forever .”
    â€œSo what about the fish dying? Where is it?” Sam asked.
    â€œSnaggle-Tooth said he doesn’t know much, but it’s near some island named Virgin Gorda. Never heard of it.”
    â€œWell, we should probably tell the director,” Sam suggested.
    â€œWe can tell him at dinner,” Tristan said, and the others nodded.
    â€œHey, Hugh, want to try to find a seahorse or something to see if you can still do the camouflage thing with your skin?” Sam asked.
    â€œNo, that’s okay. Maybe tomorrow.”
    Just then, a thin, dark brown bird popped up nearby. Something small and tan was wiggling in its short, yellow bill. Tristan looked closer. The bird had an orange face, and in the afternoon sun its eyes resembled glowing emeralds. He’d seen similar birds diving in the lagoon last year.
    As Tristan and the others watched, the cormorant shook its head, trying to find a way to swallow its squirming catch. Eating got a whole lot harder when a seagull homed in on the cormorant’s prize. The gull swooped down and pecked at the bird’s bill to dislodge its wriggling meal. The cormorant paddled away, trying to dodge its attacker.
    Tristan felt bad for the bird. He knew how it felt to be bullied. Then things then got even worse for the poor cormorant. The seagull landed right on top of its head. The cormorant shook itself to dislodge the seagull, but the bird stayed put, wavering like someone trying to balance on a tightrope. To get rid of its feathery headdress, the cormorant then whipped its head back. The seagull took flight, but the cormorant’s catch also went flying, straight into Rosina’s face.
    â€œAargh!” she shouted, stepping back and swatting the air by her face. The bird’s wiggling catch was now floating in the water in front of her.
    Sam jumped in to prevent Rosina from flinging it away. “Wait, what is it?”
    Tristan looked down. It was soft, speckled, and about the size of a golf ball.
    â€œOctopus,” Hugh said. “A baby, I think. Still alive, but hurt.”
    â€œLet’s take it to the Rehab Center,” Sam suggested.
    The seagull hovered nearby. It squawked loudly at them, while the cormorant silently eyed the teens like they just stole the last very best meal of its life.
    â€œWhat about the birds?” Rosina said. “They say they’re hungry and that’s a seriously good treat.”
    â€œOh, there’s plenty more for them to eat,” Sam replied. “Look how cute this little guy is. I bet Doc Jordan can help him—or her.”
    â€œWell, pick it up,” Tristan said to Hugh.
    â€œYou pick it up,” Hugh snapped back.
    â€œ Boys ,” Sam said as she carefully scooped up the creature and ran from the shallow water to the beach. “Grab my stuff.”
    Tristan and Hugh followed her.
    â€œWait for me,” Rosina shouted. “I have to apologize to the birds since you guys are all a bunch of wimpy do-gooders.”
    â€œTell them we’ll bring a few scraps from dinner instead,” Tristan shouted back.
    Rosina waved to the birds. “I’ll be back with take-out.”

6
    SURF’S UP
    A FTER DROPPING OFF THE BABY OCTOPUS AT THE Rehab Center, the teens changed and made their way to the Conch Café for the