The legend of the Loch has been told for centuries, passed on to every fresh ear willingly to listen. All the stories are same, each told in different ways. But what if I had a story, a story that is unlike any story you have ever heard or read? Would you listen to it? Would you believe me? What I am about to tell you is a true story... and it begins deep down in the Loch, among the rocks and the coral and the seaweed.

A creature so unbelievably large, so magnificent, that if you saw it, you would thought your eyes were playing tricks on you. The Lochness monster as many around the world know her as, or Nessie as many others prefer to call her. Nessie lives deep in Lochness, away from the surface world, but every once in while, Nessie would come up to peer at her outside world, and if you were lucky enough, you be able to spot her. That's were my story begins....

It was a beautiful summer day in Scotland, and I was visiting my grandparents who lived down by the Loch. My grandparents had their very own private dock where a rickety old fishing boat that my grandfather often took out on the Loch sat. My grandfather would spins tales of a serpent like beast inhabiting the waters, and it was on those docks that I've spent a majority of my time hoping to catch a glimpse of the creature. My brothers often teased me about going down there waiting for a creature that most likely doesn't exist.

"Oh, she exists alright," grandfather told us. "I've seen her..." he then spun a tale about how when he was a lad, he was stranded out on the Loch. A terrible storm had took his paddles and drifted him miles from the nearest dock and shoreline. When the storm ended, my grandfather thought he'd never get land again. Even though he was a great swimmer, the Loch was no place to swim, especially so far in its waters. When it became clear that no help was coming, something hit the side of his boat and pushed him towards land. "You would have thought the good Lord had sent His hands at work," he would tell us. "And when I reached land and turned to see what had brought me salvation, I saw a glimpse of the beast as she slithered back down into the depths of the Loch..."

"Did you ever see her again?" I asked. My grandfather shook his head.

"Alas, Cassie, I have not. Nessie is just as mysterious as the Loch itself." And so, I waited, down by the gravel sand and green-blue waters. Walking up and down the beach and occasionally sitting on the dock, legs swinging above the murky surface. I sighed deeply as I stared out down the Loch. Miles upon miles went this lake. It be a miracle if I caught a glimpse of anything, and my summer days were running low. I looked to my grandfather's rickety old fishing boat. I was told to not go in the boat without an adult around, but as I looked back out on the Loch, the more I wanted go out there, to see if I could find her.

I stood and looked into the belly of the boat. Maybe I go out just a little, no one has to know, I thought to myself. I took a deep breath and hopped into the boat. I wasn't much of an expert when it came boating, but I've seen my grandfather start this boat a few times to figure it out. I sat in the back and pulled the string to the motor, after a few frustrating attempts I finally managed to get the engine to rumble to life. The boat lurched forward and off I went to see what exactly was out on the Loch...

I decided not to go too far from my grandparents' dock. I went until their house on the hill was no more than a speck in the distance. I cut the engine and waited. The Loch was calm. The waves lazily lapping the sides of that rickety old boat. Seagulls yelled in the distances. I wasn't sure how long I've been sitting there, but when I looked to the horizon, the sky began to turn orange and red, the sun was just about to kiss the earth. "I guess I should turn back," I said aloud and began to start the engine. The engine rumbled and spluttered multiple times, but would not start. I began to panic. I pulled the string harder and harder until I fell backwards into the boat. I looked at my hands to see the broken string gone limp.

"No, no, no... this can't be happening!" I stood with the boat moving in motion with me. I was stranded. "Help! Someone help me!" I called into the empty Loch, but I was too far from any human ear to hear. I sat with defeat and wept into my arms. Oh! I did have to do that!? It was so stupid of me! No doubt eventually someone would realize that I've been gone for too long, see that grandfather's boat is gone and come searching for me, but when? And how?

As I began to think of the consequences that would happen, a shadow fell upon me and I heard the sounds of trickling water. I lift my head and immediately gasped. My eyes followed a long neck that ended with a large head that had black solid eyes staring at me. The Lochness monster. She floated there before me, both of us staring. Nessie's head was huge! With a round snout with large nostrils that snorted out bits of water. Two stubby fangs hung over her lower lips. Two floppy ears that twitched on her round head and two horns that resemble nails were between her ears. The most unique and quite shocking characteristic she had was the orange mop of hair that sat on top of her head that matched her smooth grey-blue skin.

I felt my heart hammer in my chest. My eyes couldn't believe what it was looking at. "Nessie..." I whispered and the creature before me tilted its head as if it knew its name. I moved from my seat to get closer, Nessie ducked, her large neck plummeting down into the depths. "No, wait!" I called. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." I peeked over the edge of the boat to see the creature's head resting on the water surface, its black eyes staring up at me. "Please come back," I coaxed it. Nessie lifted her head back up until she was level with me. Her breath was hot as she snorted bits of water from her nostrils.

I reached out slowly and placed my hand on her round snout. Her large head shook at my touch. I smiled and let out a laugh that startled Nessie. She scooted away from me. "I'm sorry!" I told her. "I was just laughing, I didn't mean to scare you again." I held out my hand and Nessie moved forward. She sniffed my hand and blew water from her nostrils. I giggled. "I'm Cassie," I told her. She blinked slowly at me, she then lifted her mighty neck and began to sniff my entire body. When I laughed, she flapped her ears happily.

When Nessie was done, she pulled away and stared down at me, I stared up at her. She was beautiful in every way possible. I peered down over the edge of the boat to vaguely see her body beneath the surface of the water. I wondered how big this "monster" truly is. Nessie bent her large neck as I peered down. With a snort, Nessie dove under the water. I watched in awe as she dove deeper in the depths until she disappeared entirely. I stared like that for several minutes until I saw a blur shape come swimming up. I scooted back inside the boat as Nessie came jumping out of the water. She flew over my head, lake water drenching me, and she dove back under the water. I squealed with delight and shook my head to try to shake off the water.

Nessie's head reappeared in front me, ears flapping with excitement. I laughed. This creature was truly magnificent. The sky around me began to turn a shade darker and I looked to the setting sun that was nearly below the earth's horizon. My heart sank. By now my family is sure to know that I've been gone. For far too long. "Can you help me?" I asked her. The creature tilted her head. "I need to get home." I pointed in the direction of my grandparents' dock. "I need to go there." Nessie looked in the direction I was pointing and turned to look back at me. Her black eyes slowly blinking. Then, with a snort, Nessie floated her body to the surface and docked herself against the boat. I smiled.

Carefully I hopped on her smooth back and I slid into the crevice where the neck met body. I held onto her neck the best way I could and when I was secured, Nessie lurched forward. The wind raced through my hair and it felt like I was gliding on water. Nessie moved with ease. She swerved and dove as we went. I laughed and squealed! I never felt so much joy in my life! Before I knew it, Nessie began to slow and my grandfather's dock was near. She docked herself and I clumsily hopped onto the splittering wood. I turned back and gave Nessie a huge smile. "Thank you..." I whispered and Nessie flapped her ears. She scooted back several feet and with a lurch, Nessie backflipped out of the water and dove back underneath its surface. She vanished without a trace....

That was the last time I ever saw my friend. I have spent every summer since then searching for her, but never once seeing her again. The older I got, the more stories I've heard of fishermen or tourists seeing a large beast swimming in the Loch. There were even pictures! I laugh at those pictures because they looked nothing like Nessie. Nothing like my friend. Even if I told them what she truly looked like, no one would believe me, but I guess that's how all stories go.

But the question is... do you believe me?

Bonus content: AI images of Cassie and the monster from the picture I drew.