Jack and Anna clung to the ship’s railings as it glided through the murky waters of the sewer system. The hamster captain, with his wiry fur and determined eyes, steered the vessel with surprising skill. The ship cut through the narrow channels, its wooden hull scraping against the slimy walls. Around them, the city’s dimly lit streets seemed like distant memories.

Jack’s miniature stature had altered his perception of the world. Everything appeared larger, more mysterious. The houses lining the sewer banks were no ordinary dwellings; they were miniature castles adorned with tiny lanterns that flickered like fireflies. Fantastic creatures—scaled, feathered, and furry—darted in and out of crevices, their eyes reflecting the ship’s lanterns.

Jack, his curiosity piqued, leaned over the railing. “Captain,” he said, “how did you end up here? A hamster navigating these waters seems… unusual.”

The captain adjusted his tiny captain’s hat, his whiskers twitching. “Ah, my young friends,” he began, “it’s a tale of loss and resilience. You see, I was once a pet—a cherished companion to a dashing sailor. We sailed the high seas together, weathered storms, and shared secrets. He was like the father I never had.”

“But then?” Jack prompted.

“Tragedy struck,” the captain continued. “My owner perished in a sea accident, and I never had the chance to bid him farewell. His foolish sister, who never appreciated my nautical talents, tossed me onto the streets. But I refused to give up.”

Anna leaned closer. “What did you do?”

“I remembered my owner’s teachings,” the captain said. “I salvaged materials, crafted this ship, and set sail on the currents. Somehow, they led me here—to this hidden world beneath the city. It’s quieter here, away from the chaos above.”

As if to punctuate his words, a speedboat zoomed past, its wake rocking the ship. The captain’s eyes blazed with indignation. “Watch where you’re going, blockhead!” he shouted after the retreating boat.

Jack raised an eyebrow. “Calm, you say?”

The ship entered a narrower passage, and the captain’s voice turned serious. “Hold on, my friends. We’re about to hit the current.”

The vessel trembled as the water surged. Jack and Anna clung to the railings, their knuckles white. The ship hurtled through the sewer pipe, darkness enveloping them. Jack wondered if they’d ever emerge from this labyrinth.

Finally, the pipe expanded, revealing a wide stream ahead. The captain is trained to slow the ship down. “This current," he muttered, "this is unnatural. It was not formed in a way related to the other stream.”

Anna squinted. “What do you mean?”

“There might be an uninvited guest,” the captain said. “Prepare yourselves.”

The ship glided toward the pool’s edge. As the lights flickered on, two enormous eyes materialized behind them. The head that followed was sleek and sinuous—a giant snake, its scales iridescent in the lantern glow.

Anna gasped, her voice barely a whisper. "What is that?"