SEA MONKEY BUSINESS — A HALLOWEEN TALE

by Paul A. Freeman

Brendan Gatlin's grade five Science teacher seemed unwell. In the darkened classroom his eyes were hidden behind sunglasses. On his head he wore a baseball cap, the peak pulled down low over a face that was shiny with moisture.

"Mr Murphy looks like he's covered in slime," Brendan whispered to his neighbour.

The teacher gazed disapprovingly at Brendan before addressing the whole class. "Your science homework this Halloween evening," he announced, "is to grow sea-monkeys, or brine shrimps to be more accurate, in a bowl of water."

"Isn't the weather too cold for growing sea-monkeys?" asked Brendan.

Mr Murphy began handing out packets of Leo Whalen's Ultra-Sea-Monkeys™. "These are special, young Master Gatlin," he explained. "They follow a different law of nature. Tomorrow morning we'll see how far the experiment's progressed, then share the results with the rest of the school. And remember – keep the creatures out of direct sunlight."

***

At home, in his bedroom, Brendan tipped the ultra-sea-monkey eggs into a bowl of warm water. Just then Brendan's father popped his head in at the door.

"Your nanna's arriving tomorrow, on the early morning train," said Graham Gatlin. "So before you leave for school, you can expect a barrage of hugs and kisses."

Brendan grimaced. With a grin on his face Mr Gatlin disappeared, closing the bedroom door behind him.

When Brendan turned his attention back to Leo Whalen's Ultra-Sea-Monkeys™, his jaw dropped. Dozens of the translucent creatures were already flitting around the bowl. While he watched, the three largest sea-monkeys started ambushing the smaller ones, wrapping themselves around their tiny bodies and absorbing them. Soon, only the three plumpest sea-monkeys remained, squatting at the bottom of the bowl like obese amoebas.

Gripped by curiosity, Brendan dipped his finger into the water and poked one of the predatory blobs. The creature's pliant mass immediately enveloped the boy's fingers, spreading up his hand and arm.

Before Brendan could scream, a film of slime covered his mouth.

***