Return to The Deep (From The Deep Book 2) by Michael Bray Page B

of Cocoa Beach were filling with people, which meant they would have quite a crowd for their planned operation. Tom paced, kicking sand whilst his brother and Emma stood nearby, trying not to look like they were up to no good.
    They had chosen Cocoa Beach as the best place to return the whale to the sea, for the simple reason that it was possible to drive the truck directly from the road onto the sand and have enough space to get the trailer into the water. As far as freeing the whale itself went, the plan was simple in principal. Jim had been instructed to drive straight down the beach, wait for them to get in the back, usher out the team who were riding along to keep the whale moist, and then cut it loose from its harness. Jim would then reverse the truck into the ocean until the natural buoyancy of the water allowed the whale to swim free. There was risk involved of course. The stress to the creature would be a telling factor. However, they were way too far in now to change their minds, and so were hoping for a minor miracle. Their job upon seeing the truck arrive at the beach was to clear the way and ensure clear passage to the water.
    They heard it before they saw it, a throaty rumble which punctuated the pleasant sound of surf on sand. They watched as it came, chrome grille shimmering in the sunlight, the sheer size of the truck overwhelming. For Fernando, it was a revelation. It was finally real. It was finally happening. He glanced towards Marie, and was surprised to find her looking back, small smile on her face. They were about to take part in something spectacular.
     
    In the truck, Jim levelled off and pointed the vehicle towards the beach. The passed shops and storefronts selling beachwear and drinks. People stopped to stare as Jim increased his speed. Ahead, the road faded into sandy beach, and beyond that, the ocean gently rolled. He could see the others ushering people aside, making them move to allow the truck through. To ensure their compliance, he honked the horn, an incessant noise as he floored the accelerator.
    Because of the weight of the cargo, it was necessary to approach at speed. If Jim slowed, the wheels would bog down and they would lose forward momentum. The harder, more compacted sand at the water’s edge, would with luck, give them enough grip to do what needed to be done.
    "You might wanna hold on," Jim said, as they approached the transition between asphalt and sand.
    The truck jolted and groaned, almost slewing out of control. From the cab, Clayton and Jim could feel the truck struggle to retain its momentum as the road surface changed, throwing up great clouds of sand in its wake, as it edged towards the water.
    "Faster, you need to speed up," Clayton said as they bumped along.
    "I’m doin' the best I can," Jim grunted through gritted teeth.
    Just when it seemed like they would bog down and be stuck, the texture under them changed again as they reached the wetter, more compacted sand. Suddenly, finding grip, the truck lurched forward, then slewed to the right. Even for an experienced driver, there would have been little chance of correcting the slide. For a complete novice like Jim, there was no hope at all. The truck powered into the water, its trailer jack knifing after it. In the back, the creature was slammed against the inner wall, crushing three of its handlers against the iron railing and killing them instantly. The shift in momentum threw the trailer side on into the water until its wheels found purchase in the sand and tipped the entire truck, trailer, and all on its side, half submerging it in water.
    "Holy shit," Tom said as he charged into the water, leaping in and swimming to help, swiftly followed by Fernando.
    Inside the cab, Clayton's scream had been cut off by the seawater that flooded in through the open window mere seconds before he was thrown against the interior of the cab. Jim was also thrown out of his seat into the water filled passenger side of the cab, clashing