The Aquatilis Bestia Enigma

By Drew Scott

A young couple are killed in a car crash in Inverness Scotland. A Mermaid leaves her labyrinth heading for Sandwood Bay with a Merchild she has borne with a human she rescued. The human now married to a woman who cannot have children seeks to find the Mermaid and finds her and a son unbeknown to him. They adopt it. The boy has a web hand and foot. A man arrives with a boy with similar features. He is there to find who killed the couple and at the same time to find the mysterious Aquatilis Bestia. Two other men arrive seeking the beast and the $2m award when they find and photo it. Does it exist? Can it be found? Will it finally reveal Scotland's longest most outstanding mystery?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Drew Scott
• Release date: Oct 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301308101

Book preview

Prologue

The young couple had been in Scotland for only six months when they found what they were seeking. For months they had surveyed the area sometimes using their small boat, other times just sitting at the water’s edge watching and listening. When it happened they were so excited. That very morning as they sat in their small boat the water around them churned fiercely. The woman stood up, turned to the man, pleading with her eyes. He knew what she wanted to do. He nodded reluctantly kissing her firmly on the mouth before she turned and dived deep into the churning water.

For several minutes he watched till eventually he saw her returning her face aglow with excitement. The man steered the boat towards her. As she climbed back into the boat they hugged each other and shouted so loud their voices echoed over the water into the surrounding hills. Nothing could ever compare with this moment for them. Guiding the boat to the shore they tied it to a nearby tree at the edge of the water, then ran hand in hand excitedly up the bank. Occasionally they stopped to look back at the turbulent waves as they crashed on the shore. Out of breath they eventually sat down exhausted. Looking out over the water they watched to see if there was any more movement. The waves steadily calmed down till the water became smooth and serene again with the waves gently caressing the shore.

They rose and walked happily backed to their car where their son was still quietly asleep on the back seat.

The previous week after much thought the man decided to send his father an email outlining their findings and his wife’s exhilarating experience. Returning again and again to see if they could repeat their remarkable discovery only led to very short sightings. Nevertheless, they were more than confident that they had at last achieved what they had come for. Now all they had to do was to wait for the man’s father to come.

As they drove out of the trees where they had parked their car they were quietly smiling at their son who had awakened and was stretching his arms over his head and yawning. He lay still and stared up at them when suddenly their car was hit in the rear causing them to swerve violently. The man grasped the steering wheel desperately trying to avoid careering off the road. As he braked the car slid sideways and tumbled into a crevice eventually into a tree smashing the windscreen, causing the man and woman to be showered in the broken glass as it came crashing in on them. They died instantly. The boy was thrown on to the floor, off the rear seat, knocking him out cold.

Movement outside the car indicated someone was opening the trunk, then the car door was wrenched open and a hand reached in emptying the man’s pockets, removing keys, wallet and other personal items from both the occupants.

The screeching of a car’s tyres as it sped away filled the quiet evening air.

Chapter 1

Deep, deep in the Ocean, Neptuna groaned as she was suddenly awakened by a cacophony of voices coming from her Mermaids Labyrinth.

These girls will have to behave themselves or I will have them thrown out. She shouted, as she climbed out of her huge four-poster, reaching for her two-legged horse to carry her through the numerous corridors where her mermaids lived.

Neptuna was getting old and she knew it hence the need for transport by her trusted Hippocampes. She smiled to herself as she sat on him, thinking of how clever she was to steal Neptune’s Horse for her personal use. It was a lot easier than wagging her tail through the maze of corridors to where the noise was coming from. On arrival she found her mermaids in a state of panic.

What is going on here? If I hear any more noise I shall have you all sent to the bottom of the ocean to serve that miserable Neptune for the rest of your lives. I was in a beautiful sleep. I need my sleep. Now, quiet! Speak, you, Narissa.

It’s Megan, Mother.

What about Megan?

She’s taken the Merchild.

Never!

Yes, Mother. And she says she is going to stay away until she can find a human home for him.

This is a disaster. She cannot do this to us. The Merchild is different. He could grow into a strong leader. Where did she head?

We are not sure, but she said she knows a place where she was once seen by a human off the coast of Scotland.

Ah! That will be Sandwood Bay. I know where that is. The little fool saved a fisherman there once when his boat capsized, and now we are all going to have to catch her before she gets there. You, Narissa and Narina along with Doco will come with me. The rest of you wait until we return. You are not to leave. Do you understand?

Yes, Mother. They chorused.

Riding Hippocampes, with the three mermaids following closely behind, Neptuna made her way out into the deep Atlantic heading for the West Coast of Scotland.

Never in all the years, had there ever been an event as devastating as this. Admittedly, thought Neptuna, the child had been different. He had no tail. He actually looked like a human. How this had happened she could only surmise. Yet, Megan had produced a child without a tail. He had five toes on each foot but they were webbed toes. Fingers of his left hand were also webbed, the right being normal. He could never be accepted among humans. It was imperative they reach the coast before Megan could leave the child on Sandwood Bay, for that was what Neptuna assumed she was planning to do.

A mile off the West coast they caught up with Megan and the Merchild. Neptuna confronted her as she was heading for the shore.

Stop, Megan. You cannot do this. The child cannot be placed in the hands of humans.

I can and I must. Megan screamed back as she continued on towards the bay."

Narissa, Narina get in front of her and hold her. Doco, get the child.

The three mermaids circled and confronted Megan. As she cradled the Merchild in her arms, Narina held her waist while Narissa twisted one of her arms allowing the child to drop into Doco’s arms.

Now the hunt is over, Megan. You will return with us.

Never! I want the child; you have no right to him. He is mine.

He is ours, Megan. We all love him and he will be returned forthwith.

He has a right to a human life. Megan screamed.

No he has not. Just because he has no tail, does not make him a human.

It does. He has been here before with me and he has seen his father.

This revelation stunned all four of them.

His father, Neptuna screamed. How can this be?

Megan swam round them looking for an opportunity to snatch the Merchild back from Doco.

Please, she pleaded, it is for the child’s own good. We cannot continue to bring him up until one day he becomes a Merman in our world.

Explain, Megan. How has he seen his father?

The fisherman I rescued and looked after for days when his boat sank, he is the father. I kept him alive. Then I returned him to the shore. He comes to this bay looking for me. I know, I can tell. Please Mother; give him back to me for his life will be more meaningful with humans.

Neptuna slowly circled round the mermaids contemplating what Megan had just told her. This was something that had never been revealed to any of them before. It placed a different perspective on the situation.

All of this time the Merchild was watching and waiting in the arms of Doco. He was barely two years old. He could speak and as he looked appealingly at them as they discussed his future, he spoke. Want father.

Chapter 2

Sandwood Bay is one of Scotland’s finest beaches. Lofty cliffs, with detached stacks of red Torridon sandstone, overlook the reddish sand of this least visited bay. In the fishing village nearby one man, Alisdair McLean, repeatedly follows the coast on foot till he reaches his favourite spot on the bay.

His wife, Caitlin, sends him off every other day with something to eat and drink knowing that he will stay there until dark because of his daft notion that he will see HER again. She was not jealous, just sad that he seems to spend more time thinking about the mermaid who saved his life, a year before they were married. If he saw HER again, what would he do? She could not contemplate a life without Alisdair, yet she longed for him to give up this completely impossible dream that he could see HER again.

They needed to sit down and talk. Their marriage was a good one, but this lingering thought that if he found HER he could have her share their life together. The very thought of it was abhorrent to her. She loved Alisdair. All she wanted was for him to settle down and have children that would keep him happy and contented. She knew however, her chances of getting pregnant now were minimal. Her only hope was that they could adopt one day. She decided it was time to talk before he left for the bay again.

Alisdair, I have some food for you before you go.

Thanks. I’ll come home early this evening. I promise.

Why do you have to go there again and again?

"I have to. SHE saved my life. If it wasn’t for her, I would not be married to you now. Have you ever thought about that?

Yes, I have. But what good is this marriage if we cannot have children. We need to have children and you know that is now impossible for me. If you find her what will you do? Leave me? Dive into the sea and drown yourself?

No, stupid. I’d never do that. I just want to see her again. Be with her for a short time. I love you. We will have children. I promise, even if we have to adopt somehow. Now let me have that food and drink and I’ll be on my way.

Here, take it. I love you Alisdair. Please don’t leave me.

I’d never do that.

I meant to-night.

All right, I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll take you with me. It gets lonely out there on the bay. You can sit and watch with me to-night. What do you say?

I’d say yes, if I thought there were such things as mermaids, but I fear you are wasting your time. Doctor told you it was your imagination.

He, like everyone else is mistaken. I know what happened to me all these years ago. I was saved by a mermaid. She looked after me in a cave for days before returning me to the bay. I was unconscious most of the time. But I will never forget the loving caring way she brought me back to life.

Where is this cave?

Up the coast not far.

Do you take the boat there?

Sometimes. It brings back memories. Then I often just sit in the sand and wait on the beach to see if I can catch a glimpse again.

What if you never see her again, will you continue to seek her out knowing it might be impossible?

I’ll only know that when I’m old and past living.

Oh Alisdair, I wish I could believe you.

Then come with me and I’ll make you believe. I know she’s there.

I better make some more food.

They left the village hand in hand, heading along the coast to Sandwood Bay.

Chapter 3

A decision had to be made. Neptuna now realised that Megan was right about the Merchild. Now that it had been revealed that a human was his father each of the mermaids circled round Megan and gently laid the child in her arms again. Neptuna smiled at him as he clung to his mother.

We will miss him, Megan, but you are right to have made this decision.

Thank you, Mother.

We will accompany you to the bay.

I was planning to head for the cave.

Why there?

Because, he will go to it to see if I am there, I know for sure he is searching to find me again.

I don’t think it would be wise of you to be seen again. It could create problems.

I don’t understand, mother.

If you are seen again other humans might descend on the area. Do you think the Merchild would be able to live a life among humans under these circumstances?

What should I do, mother?

Wait until you see your human heading for the cave. Then you can leave the Merchild in the cave alone to be found by him. In this way you will be able to see that he is safe and with his father.

But, mother, he has to know that he is the father.

Humans have ways of finding this out, Megan. Trust me. What you are about to do will be seen by him as a sign that you are around and he has been right to keep looking for you. He will know that the child he finds is his. After all, the Merchild can speak. All he has to say is what he said to us earlier ‘want Father’.

I will do as you wisely suggest, mother. We are nearing the bay now. Shall I go ahead to see if he is there again.

Do so Megan, with my blessing.

Megan left the mermaids and Neptuna and headed for the bay with the Merchild clinging to her.

Chapter 4

Alisdair and Caitlin had been sitting on the beach for two hours watching the sun setting in the distance. There had been no sign of any mermaids. Caitlin was cuddling close to her husband and looking up into his face as he continued to stare out to sea. She knew what was going through his mind and she could feel the emotional strain these continual trips to the bay were having on him.

Alisdair, we should be going back soon. The sun is setting, darkness will be on us and we will find it difficult going along the paths near the shore to home.

Just a few more minutes, Caitlin, I have a strange feeling that tonight SHE is going to be here.

All right, Alisdair. I believe you and I love you. We will stay till it gets dark.

It won’t be dark for a couple of hours more. Why don’t I take the boat out and head for the cave. After all you have never been there and I want you to see where it all happened.

I would like that, but is it far?

No, we can be there in half-an-hour. Just let me do this once more. I know I have been unbearable over this fixation of mine, but I just have to prove to myself that I am not crazy. I really did see a mermaid.

Then let’s do it. Caitlin said, standing up and taking Alisdair’s hand she ran with him down to their small boat they kept in the bay.

As the boat headed out of the bay, the sun was gently descending on the horizon.

Alisdair directed the boat in the direction of the cave along the coast. It was Alisdair who saw something moving in the water ahead of them.

What’s that Caitlin, out there ahead of us?

Where?

Ahead.

Dolphins, probably.

No, Caitlin it was a tail I saw. I’m sure.

You’re just saying that to make me believe.