The Beast

Set in a contemporary coastal community, the action unfolds with late-20th‑century technology: a yacht, a submersible, and university laboratories. The town relies on boats and coastal infrastructure to respond to the crisis. The period reflects modern concerns about scientific exploration and the dangers of disturbing natural ecosystems.

Grave's Point is a small Pacific Northwest coastal resort community built around a working harbor. It relies on fishing and maritime activity, with docks, boats, and a close-knit local population. The events take place around the harbor, yacht, and shoreline as an unseen creature stalks the town.

🦑 Man vs Nature

An enormous squid becomes an unstoppable force challenging the town's sense of control. The creature's persistence pushes characters to their physical and moral limits, forcing split-second decisions under life-and-death pressure. The conflict explores humankind's hubris in attempting to master a mysterious underwater world. As the threat escalates, nature asserts itself as an overpowering, intelligent rival.

💰 Greed

Profit motives surface after the first squid carcass is found, driving decisions that overlook safety. Graves sells the carcass to Sea Land Texas, illustrating how money can override caution and public welfare. Manning's plan to capture a living specimen exposes the dangers of treating a predator as a commodity. The pursuit of wealth intensifies risk and costs lives.

🔬 Science vs Risk

Talley and Lane pursue scientific study to understand and mitigate the threat, embodying curiosity over caution. Their submersible expedition demonstrates the lure—and danger—of pushing research into unknown depths. The story highlights the gap between scientific ambition and the practical risks of deep-sea life. It critiques rushing experimentation without proper safeguards.