“So, how did you happen upon this … occupation?” I asked, as she led me through the dark aquarium.

“I inherited it,” she answered. “And before you ask, we don’t get many visitors. Our finances are fully taken care of by our benefactors.”

“Does anyone ever visit?”

“Our benefactors often do.”

“Are you happy?”

“There is nothing else I’d rather do. These creatures are like my family. A family I don’t have -“ she waved dismissively- “out THERE.”

This aquarium was like no other. It didn’t seem designed to attract the usual hordes of families and school field trips.

We walked past tanks of murky, brackish waters, and as I looked in them I wasn’t sure if any life was within. But suddenly, something swam up to the glass, with huge bulging eyes and a giant carp-like mouth, long whiskers bobbing. The eyes glowed with some strange intelligence that horrified yet fascinated me.

“Let me show you the cephalopods,” Claire said, gently taking my arm.