500 Words 2023: read a finalist's story from the 5-7 category

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This story was chosen as a top 50 finalist for 500 Words 2023.

Remember, spelling, punctuation and grammar are not taken into account for a 500 Words story, therefore all the top 50 stories have been published how they were submitted.

The Diary of a Monster Hunter by Benjamin G.

Once upon a time in the depths of the ocean lay the Kraken! The Kraken can crash down on any ship that sails the seas by using its ginormous tentacles. Its roar can scare away even the biggest fish. Fishermen tell stories and sing sea shanties about the horrifying beast. Its eyes similar to the giant squid as big as footballs and can see even the smallest shrimp! Instead of a strong bird-like beak it has razor sharp jagged teeth and breath that smells as bad as my mummy's socks!

There are many ways to describe the legendary beast, maybe if you go into a national museum, you may see its cousins, the squid, and octopus but the kraken cannot be caught or slayed. This mythical like creature remains to be found in the dark deep waters. It is my mission as captain of the Black Pearl to find the kraken and prove it is a real living monster!

I have a fearless crew ready to take on the challenge. We have our supplies on board the ship already. We set sail at sunrise. I am finding it hard to sleep for excitement of the adventure on the open waves.

The yellowy orange sky tells me it is time to set sail. We wave goodbye to our family that have come to wish us luck on our mission. It is a rainy sunny day with a rainbow in the distance. Suddenly the sky is grey, the rain pouring and the water around us starts to bubble. I am not scared, a tentacle starts to come out the water. It grows taller and taller and taller. My brave crew lowered me down in a rowing boat into the water. I have to get a closer look. It looks like a gigantic octopus with lots of teeth…this MUST be the kraken!!! I grab hold of its slimy tentacle and it drags me under the water. Luckily, I took a big breath before going under. It was hard to see in the dark waters…is this the kraken? Have I completed my mission?

I use my trusty pocketknife and break free chopping off a tentacle. A new tentacle grows super quickly right before my eyes, this creature is indestructible! My crew drag me onto the ship the tentacle under my arm…this is proof! Real proof to give to the museums and the world!

The kraken makes a loud roar, and it starts a whirlpool breaking our ship in two. Luckily my crew are prepared and all good swimmers. Thank goodness it decides to leave us alone. The rowing boat hasn't been destroyed we use our shirts as sails to get us back to shore. Alas we no longer have the tentacle as proof, just our stories of the beast and what has happened this fateful day.

So…if you ever go sailing…beware of the monster! Legend has it it can find you and you may be its next dinner!

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