As soon as Dr. Willow enters the kitchen, the area grew silent. 

Bittersweet smells of saltwater overwhelmed the children's noses; blue couches circled around a black 32-inch state-of-the-art television (which was considered to be very popular in the 90s). 

But sadly, it gathered more dust than the granite countertops. Clear windows were moistened in thick vapor, whereas the dark brown furniture squeaked like captured mice.

Annoyed by the frequent ticking of the oven clock, the kids decide to pass the time by asking the grownups some questions. 

"So, how did you and Victor Frankenstein first meet, Triton?" inquired Nessa. 

"And when did Jason call you guys?" Brooke asks her parents in a suspicious tone. 

The adults exchange sheepish looks at one another until they eventually told them the truth. 

"After we split up, your parents and I ask the civilians about the monster that attacked the cruise ship."

Johnny nods, remembering the event in the newspaper. 

"Sadly, we couldn't get the townsfolk to talk," Triton continued. 

"Let alone be in the same room as us. All of a sudden, your mother had a vision that you kids encounter a sea dragon."

A chuckling Caleb scratched the back of his head. 

"Yeah," he says nervously. "It was stronger than we thought." 

He points his finger at Nessa who is busy rubbing Brooke's salve all over her agonizing bruises. 

An aghast Adelaide takes a careful glimpse at Nessa's black eye and wounded lip. 

"Oh my God," she breathed. "How the hell did this happen?"

Nessa wore an uneasy smile. "I got a little careless."

Triton shakes his head in disbelief. 

"You've inherited your mother's bravery." he insisted. "That sea monster is put up a nasty fight."

He trains his eyes at Johnny, who stood very awkwardly behind his little sister. 

"Are you okay, kiddo?" he asks in an anxious tone.

"Yeah," said Johnny, smiling. "I am just glad you guys are here." 

Caleb put on a goofy smirk. "Aw, look at you acting all sentimental!"

"Oh, shut up."

Meanwhile, Brooke reaches into her jeans pocket and takes out a small tube of lotion.

Uncapping the bottle, she squirts a small dab of white lotion on her fingertip and re-applied it to Nessa's injuries. 

"Feeling any better now?" Brooke asks Nessa.

The mint-scented salve on her face caused the pain to vanish without a trace. 

"Holy Moly!" Johnny whistled. "How on earth did you do that?"

Brooke blushed at his surprising remark, then glanced at her beaming mother.

"She taught me the basics." replied the young oracle. "So anyway, tell us about how you guys met, Dad."

"As I said before," said a delighted Thomas. 

"Jason and I grew up together in Louisiana. We listened to Bob Dylan, ate burgers at the juke joint, and Jason introduced me to your mother."

Speaking of Adelaide, she kisses her husband on the cheeks several times.

Nessa expresses a disgusted groan. "Gross!"

"Mom!" cried Brooke. 

"Sorry, sweetie." Adelaide giggled. "Anyway, what is weird about my vision is that the sea serpent disappeared without a trace."

Looking at the four children, Triton asked what happened. 

"Well, according to Jason," said Johnny. "He and his friends captured the beast."

He directs his gaze at the closed kitchen door. 

"Speaking of Jason, he is in the kitchen talking with Martin," Johnny explained. 

"I see." Thomas crossed his arms. "So, what are you kids doing in the lab?" 

Nessa stretched her arms and placed her hands behind her head. 

"Jason told us that we need some help with something-something important."

Thomas approached Johnny and asked him what kind of project Jason was working on. 

Unfortunately, he and his friends all shrug their shoulders.

"We don't know, sir," said Caleb. "The freak won't tell us anything."

Adelaide nods in an understanding manner. 

"Well, at least you kids are safe-"

Opening the kitchen door was Jason, strolling into the living room. An uncomfortable Martin stomped behind him, mumbling something about a bad idea. 

Dr. Willow came out of the entrance, sprinting after the men.

Her red hair flounced in the wind; her eyes bulged like golf balls and her feet were unable to stay still. 

"Big news, everyone!" Jason beamed.

"Dr. Willow and Martin told me that the sea monster is now secured in its tank." 

Caleb stares at him funny. 

"Wow," he murmurs. "How did that happen?" 

"Maybe he paid off these stupid clowns," Nessa whispers, looking at Dr. Willow and Martin. 

Eavesdropping on their conversation, Triton glowers at the two kids and told them to be quiet. 

"As promised, I will tell you guys the special project I am working on." 

"Ugh, finally!" thought Nessa.

Sitting down in an empty seat across the children, Jason tells the others what he is planning to do with the imprisoned sea reptile. 

"I have read in a book that sea dragons heal themselves very rapidly." he began. "They have this special type of blood which can eradicate old wounds and bruises."

"So, if I can acquire a decent amount of blood from the creature, then my researchers can concoct a cure to aid mental health and the injured from around the world."

The grownups grinned at Jason's idea, whereas Brooke and Johnny trade skeptical glances at each other. 

Back in Idlewild Boarding School, they had taken an AP class on Herbs and Medication. 

According to their teacher, dragon blood is not compatible with human DNA. If one injects an unhealthy dose to the injured person, then it is likely that he or she might die from the vaccination. 

"So by drawing blood from a deranged monster," began Johnny. "You think you can cure everyone in Lovecraft Creek?"

Jason nods in a carefree way. 

"Yeah, why not?" he shrugged. "I mean, these people deserve medical treatment."

That's when Brooke steps in. 

"Jason, what are you doing is brave," she says carefully. "But dragon blood cannot blend with human DNA. It will kill them."

Martin scratches his hairy chin with his left forefinger. 

"Well, they do have a point." he agreed. "And besides, what's going to happen to the sea beast?"

Jason pressed his hands on the table. "Well, that's when your kids come in."

"What?" Triton gasped. 

Dr. Willow's patient held up her hands in an attempt to calm him down. "Jason just wants the kids to find more information about the sea dragon's blood." 

Both Thomas and Adelaide stood in front of the children; they spread out their arms in case Jason is tempted to pry the kids away from them.

"Hey! Whoa!" Dr. Willow exclaimed. "We are not going to take your kids away from you!" 

"We just need them to find more sea dragons within this area," Jason says calmly. 

Nessa and Brooke exchange unsure looks. 

"If you are so smart, why don't your goons find them for you?" snort Caleb.

Jason grins even more. "Well, because you guys seem to have experience dealing with monsters." 

"They do," Triton interjected. "We just don't feel comfortable letting the kids become bait for a monster." 

Adelaide nods in agreement. 

"He's right. Won't that be dangerous for the kids?" she implores. 

Jason Young glances at his colleagues who were prepared to answer Adelaide's questions. 

"No worries, Mrs. King," said Martin. "We have security guards who will protect them 24/7."

Speaking of wardens, a forty-one-year-old Sergeant infiltrates the break room. 

His ink-black hair was tainted with silvery gray streaks; thick skin matched his oily brown eyes as the Sergeant stepped forward into the light. 

He adorns a navy green uniform with silver and gold medals. 

Black loafers clicked against the hard floors as the Sergeant presents himself to the group. 

"Hello," he shakes Triton's hand first before introducing the others. "My name is Sergeant Jones. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Brooke smiled cheerfully. 

"Nice to meet you," she replied. "My name is Brooke, this is my boyfriend Caleb, and these are my friends, Johnny and Nessa." 

Johnny waves whereas Nessa's eyes were glued to the floor.

Sergeant Jones smiles back. 

"Nice names," he says sweetly. "When your kids are finished, follow me so we can get started, alright?" 

The children bob their heads while Triton, Adelaide, and Thomas give her curious looks. 

They were relieved to see an adult committed to watching over the kids. But the grownups weren't comfortable being around Dr. Willow, Jason, and Martin. 

"Are you sure you're comfortable with the kids?" asked Adelaide. 

Jason laughs nonchalantly. "You don't need to worry, Addy." 

"Really?" 

"Yeah, he is great with kids." 

Caleb switches his gaze at Jason, then at Sergeant Jones, who doesn't seem too eager to be a babysitter.

A reluctant Thomas crossed his beefy arms. 

He didn't like this guy watching over the children, but because the teenagers have experience fighting monsters on their own, Thomas figured that Sergeant Jones could be a good role model for them.

"Okay," he says carefully. "Sergeant, please look after these kids." 

Sergeant bobs his head firmly. "I promise."

Adelaide smiles, approaching his way. 

At first, she appears very friendly-shaking his hand and discussing the benefits of the cure.

But when Sergeant Jones attempts to release his hand, Adelaide gripped it so tightly that the soldier couldn't move. 

"If you hurt these children, including my daughter," she snarls. "I will end your life, do you understand me?" 

Sweat dribbled down his face; never in five million years would he be threatened by a woman. 

"Yes, ma'am." he stutters. 

After Brooke's mother releases his thick hand, Sergeant Jones discreetly rubbed his tender wrist before urging the children to follow him out of the break room.

As for Adelaide, Thomas, and Triton, they head over to the kitchen to make themselves lunches. 

Martin was quiet for a moment until he asked Jason: "Is leaving kids to a naval officer really necessary?"

Jason calmly smiles at his concerned friend. 

"I understand what you are feeling," he starts to say. "But I am pretty sure they can handle themselves." 

Scrunching his bushy eyebrows, an intensely worried Martin hissed that Jason should leave these kids behind. 

Not because he despises the young quartet, but their childlike innocence would hinder the mission. 

Unfortunately, his stubborn employer tells Martin not to worry so much. 

"I don't doubt that these kids will be safe under the hands of Chris," he assured. 

Just then, Jason tilts his head at the old comrade. 

"And besides, I thought you didn't like these kids." he added. 

Martin rolls his eyes. "I don't tolerate their company, but I am afraid that they might get hurt or something." 

"Or something," Jason chuckled.

"What are you talking about?" rasped Martin.

Jason comfortably placed his hand on his friend's right shoulder. 

"I have complete faith in these kids," he says softly. "They are adventurous, optimistic, and showed incredible skills."

Dr. Willow bobs her head, agreeing with him. 

"But if they are unable to complete the task, I understand," she reassured.

Martin looks at him for a moment. "You said the same thing about Apollo. Until you locked him up in a fucking cage."

Dr. Willow's amber eyes bathed in immense fear. 

She couldn't believe Martin had the audacity to talk about Apollo in front of Jason. 

"That boy deserves better," Martin growled. 

Jason slowly nods. "I understand what you are saying, but that boy is sick-"

"He is not sick!" Martin quarreled. "Apollo needs to be a normal kid."

Irritated, Jason Young chewed the broken tips of his nails.

As much as he wants to argue with Martin, Jason had a lot of problems on his plate. But the main course is creating a long-lasting cure for mankind. 

* * * *
Slapping against the bleach-white floors are the sneakers of quiet children trailing after the anxious Sergeant Jones. 

"The lab is just down the hall." he declares urgently. "If we don't hurry, then we'll miss the meeting."

But despite the frozen temperature, the sweat formed puddles on their clothes. 

Johnny and Nessa were ready to deteriorate, whereas Caleb darted past the white-collared scientists moving up and down the white corridors. 

They push carts containing small sea animals, sirens, large octopuses, and other unusual creatures. 

"Freaky." he thinks, slowing his steps. 

An exhausted Brooke trots behind her loyal beau, watching the scientists shuffle past her. 

"Why is Jason taking these sea creatures?" she asks aloud. 

Sergeant Jones turns his head in her direction. "Mr. Young's goal is to study aquatic animals so he can improve their mental state. 

Nessa stops for a moment. 

"Are you sure?" she asks disdainfully. "Last I checked, Jason wants to steal their blood to help the sick and injured."

The proud naval officer's face became bright red. 

"Yeah, that too," he adds sheepishly. 

Johnny frowns as he noticed a few scientists entering different rooms. 

Some rooms contain underfed sirens while a few required key cards to get access. But the door that stood out from the rest is a Restricted Area. 

It has two sliding doors, security guards, and disgruntled scientists coming out of the door, covered in gravel and black smoke. 

"Holy shit." he breathed. "What's going on in there?" 

Sergeant Jones glares at him coldly. 

"I am sorry," he began. "But during this tour, I do not tolerate any foul language coming out of your mouth."

"Sorry." 

"What?" Caleb moves behind Brooke. "Are you Jesus or something?" 

Sergeant Jones stretched his smile. "No, I am a Catholic. What about your kids? Do you believe in God?" 

Nessa walks alongside her brother when she said something that made the officer's skin crawl.

"We used to until God spat in our faces," she says bluntly. 

Skimming his plump fingers inside his navy green pockets, Sargeant Jones encountered a door that leads them to an enormous laboratory. 

Scientists grip onto their wooden clipboards; boots squeaked on white marble floors, resulting in temporary deafness. 

In the meantime, strange machinery enticed the children. Many appliances took up space, while a few were carried around in case someone might break it. 

Sitting in front of medical professionals is a fish tank that contains the infamous sea dragon. 

Drowsy and mistreated, the sea aberration aggressively swims towards the glass when a fifty-year-old African-American reached into his pocket, pulls out a small remote, and presses a red button with his right thumb. 

As a result, the sea anomaly lets out a horrifying wail. 

Scientists stood there, taking notes, whereas the screams sent chills down the children's spines.

And just as the monster begged for the torture to stop, Caleb heard the anomaly's tragic thoughts. 

"My son!" it thinks. "Please save my son!"