Tyrtle Island: Boo and the Bullkats

Boo exited the tunnel with a rather grumpy-looking, wet face. “You never cease to amaze me,” said Jesse, wiping the water off the top of Boo’s head. “We have company,” said Tinman, floating over toward the hidden shoreline. Coral Way Cave exited out to Coral Way Bay through a natural waterway that was concealed from the rest of the shoreline by large piles of lava rocks. A tall, thin man was standing by the shore waiting for them to arrive. From a distance, the eerie figure looked like Mr. Jack. “What’s he doing here?” asked Jesse nervously, paddling his feet as they bobbed closer to the island’s sandy beach. “Don’t worry, Jesse,” Tinman said in a stern voice. “We’re going to find out once and for all what this guy is really up to.” They walked out of the salty water and felt the soft sand under their feet as Mr. Jack hobbled toward them. “Ah, good. I see you’re keeping Boo out of my garden,” said Mr. Jack, gazing at Jesse with his cold eyes. “Yes, very good. Coming from somewhere in particular, are you?” Tinman took a step toward Mr. Jack and asked, “What do you want?” “Yes, very good indeed. I see you were careful in the rainforest. Some dangerous creatures roam through there,” said Mr. Jack in his unnerving voice. Tinman wiped the salt water dripping off his brow and said to Mr. Jack, “I asked you once already. What do you want and why are you following us?” Mr. Jack grinned with his cigar hanging from his lips, and the foul scent lingered in the air. It was like he was purposely stalling before answering their questions. “I told you before, I know some things,” continued Mr. Jack in his unusual way. “I know secret things. After giving it much thought, I have decided to tell you about some of those things. I’ve had a change of my mind.” Mr. Jack stared at them with his empty eyes. His creepy personality and drawn-out voice made him uniquely unsettling, even when it appeared he was trying to be helpful. His appearance was chilling. He had beady eyes and a skinny, wrinkled face. His weathered body, along with a hunched back, didn’t help his frightening figure. There was one more thing that made Jesse uneasy around him: the fact that he always had a foul-smelling cigar hanging between his pale lips. “What would you know that could possibly help us?” asked Tinman, glaring at Mr. Jack. “I must say, I’m so glad you asked,” said Mr. Jack. “I know where the rainbow plants are, and I also know that you already found them. Yes, very good indeed. I also know the professor has a dark secret, and that secret is hidden in Kats Caves. I know he’s using bullkats to protect his secret. I told you, I know some things.” “So why tell us all of this now?” asked Tinman angrily. Mr. Jack took two steps backwards and said, “I told you already. I’ve had a change of my mind.” “Sounds like he’s out of his mind,” Caleb whispered to Honey Bee. “How do we know you’re telling us the truth?” asked Honey Bee. Mr. Jack grinned and said, “You don’t.” He slowly turned and stepped awkwardly through the sand, disappearing into the rainforest.