Deluge: The Conqueror Worms II

CHAPTER 36

“Ladies first.” Grinning, Novak made a sweeping gesture.

“I don’t think so,” Gail said. “You should have the honor.”

“Yeah,” Lynn agreed. “After all, you’re leading this expedition. It’s only right you go first.”

Nodding, Novak stepped forward and onto the island. The boat rocked slightly. Gail went next, followed by Warren and then Lynn. McCann went last. He stood next to the boat with a rope in his hand.

“Don’t see anywhere to tie off, boss.”

“Is the current strong enough that you won’t be able to hold it?”

McCann shook his head.

“Standby then,” Novak said. “I think we’ll be alright. Just make sure you keep a good grip on that line. You let that boat float away, and we’ll eat you first.”

He tried to sound lighthearted and joking, but Gail noticed the edge in his voice. Novak was nervous. So was she.

They spread out and began slowly exploring the formation. The ferocity of the rain and the swirling mists hampered their visibility, and even now, standing atop the mass, Gail still couldn’t tell for sure what it was. The gray surface was hard like stone, but smooth and unmarred by cracks or fissures. Raindrops bounced and splattered against it, and pooled at their feet. As they’d seen from the ship, there were no buildings, trees or grass. Other than the strange hill in the middle, the island was utterly featureless. It was also larger than it had appeared to be from the ship. Gail knelt and placed her palm against the surface. It was warm and slick.

“What do you think, guys?” Warren asked. His voice sounded distorted in the fog.

Novak sighed. “I think we wasted a fucking trip. There’s nothing here.”

“Maybe we should try that hill?” Lynn motioned with her makeshift spear. “There could be something behind it, or maybe inside of it.”

“Might as well,” Novak agreed. “We’ve come this far.”

They shuffled forward, weapons held at the ready, but without conviction. Gail was about to stand up and join them, when the ground trembled slightly. She felt the vibration run through her palm and up her arm. She glanced up to see if any of the others had noticed, but their attention was focused on the hill.

From the shore, McCann called, “The waves are starting to get stronger.”

Novak turned around. “What do you mean?”

“I mean it’s picking up all of the sudden.”

Gail frowned. Could it be an earthquake? She grabbed her pistol and stood up. Novak was still facing her and McCann. Lynn and Warren were approaching the hill.

“There’s something here,” Lynn said.

They all looked to where she was pointing, and as they did, the hill opened up, looked at them with one giant, baleful black eye, and then blinked. The island shuddered beneath their feet. Screaming, Warren scampered backward. Gail was torn between running toward him and fleeing for the boat.

McCann gasped. “Holy shit!”

The eye opened again. Lynn, prodded by fear or panic, jabbed her spear forward, thrusting it into the orb.

“Don’t,” Novak shouted. “Let’s just—”

The island shivered, and then surged upward, knocking Gail, Warren and Novak off their feet. The handgun slipped from Gail’s grasp and slid away from her. She realized that it was plunging toward the water, and that she was suddenly clinging to a slippery slope. She scrabbled for a grip on the smooth surface, but her fingertips couldn’t find a purchase. Warren zipped past her, following the pistol’s trajectory.

Gail screamed, and then the island roared.