The year was 1933, and the world was on fire with tales of a mysterious creature lurking in the depths of Loch Ness. Described as a "monster fish," "sea serpent," or "dragon," public interest was skyrocketing, fueled by the report of George Spicer's alleged sighting published by the Courier. The enigma of the Loch Ness Monster had everyone's imagination in its grip, and letters recounting various encounters flooded in.
In a distinguished house in London, as murmurs of the monster grew, Professor George Edward Challenger was making preparations for a journey to Scotland.
Upon their return from the lost world, Professor Challenger had brought with him a peculiar object, which he believed to be a fossilized egg from a prehistoric era. However, in an unexpected twist of nature that defied Challenger's scientific convictions, the egg began to show signs of life. Fine cracks snaked across its surface, growing day by day, until one fateful morning, the egg trembled and shattered, revealing not a petrified core, but a living, breathing infant plesiosaur.
The task at hand was clear — Challenger was supposed to end the creature's life. But, standing there, looking at the innocent life he held, Challenger found he couldn't do it. Faced with this dilemma, he made a decision that would become his secret burden. He took the young dinosaur to the secluded lochs of Scotland, finding hidden caves beneath the waters where it could live, hidden and safe. For a decade, he nurtured and taught the creature, ensuring it knew never to reveal itself to the human world.
As Challenger was bustling around, gathering items for the impending journey to Scotland, there was an unexpected guest to his household. Opening the door revealed a young boy, standing with an air of seriousness that belied his years. His hair was slicked back neatly, uncovering mischievous eyes that sparkled with curiosity and a sense of adventure.
"Hello, George." William Roxton addressed him casually.
Challenger stopped in his tracks, looking at the young boy with a mixture of surprise and concern. "William, what are you doing here?"
"I read the newspaper. Coupling that with the stories my parents told me about the egg that hatched and your constant trips to Scotland, it wasn't particularly hard to put two and two together. I'm sure they will come to the same conclusion very soon."
Challenger, still in wonder, asked, "But shouldn't you be at Oxford? How did you get here? Do John and Marguerite know you are here?"
With a shrug of nonchalance, William responded, "A chauffeur from Oxford drove me to the train station. He won't be spilling the beans anytime soon. I made an arrangement with the guy."
Raising an eyebrow, Challenger inquired, "What kind of arrangement?"
William's grin widened. "A financial one."
Challenger's expression turned stern, the unease evident in his voice. "So, in other words, your parents don't know you're here. Oh, I'm not comfortable with this at all. I must inform them at once."
Before he could make a move, William was by his side, grabbing his arm with an intensity that startled the older man. "Please. It's only a matter of time before they piece it together, and what do you think are the chances they'd let me come along? I'll tell you—they're very small."
Challenger, looking down into the determined eyes of the young boy, felt a conflicting swirl of responsibility and understanding. William's fervent grip and the fire in his eyes spoke of an insatiable thirst for knowledge and adventure. It mirrored a younger Challenger, fuelled by the same insatiable curiosity.
He sighed, realizing the difficulty of swaying a determined young mind. "William… It's potentially dangerous, and your parents will be beside themselves with worry."
But William, unyielding, retorted, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I want to see the creature with my own eyes."
Challenger gazed at William's eager face, a thoughtful smile playing on his lips as he silently amended his observations. In the gleam of the young boy's eye, he recognized John's adventurous spirit, no doubt about that. Yet, there was something else, stubbornness, a willingness to bend the rules… That, Challenger mused, was distinctly inherited from Marguerite.
Finally, he spoke, his voice firm yet not without a hint of understanding.
"Alright, William. I'll take you with me to Scotland. But on one condition," he said, his eyes holding a serious glint. "We must inform your parents about where you are and what we're planning. I can't allow them to worry unnecessarily. Jessie is currently in Birmingham. I'll leave her a detailed letter explaining our destination and the purpose of our journey. She'll then contact your parents at Avebury Manor to inform them of your whereabouts. This way, they'll be aware, but it'll also buy us some time to explore Scotland and study the creature before they potentially decide to show up."
William's eyes lit up, the victory sweet, "Thank you, George. You won't regret this!"
Challenger chuckled, ruffling the boy's hair, "We'll see about that, young man. We'll see about that."
