Deluge: The Conqueror Worms II

CHAPTER 56

“Let me see if I’ve got this right.” McCann’s sarcastic tone was unmistakable. “We’re somewhere over what we think is Kentucky right now. All we have to do is hop in our little boat, cross the ocean to Pennsylvania, avoid getting eaten by all the different monsters, and then dive down to the bottom of the sea and go through this door. Shit, what are we waiting for? Let’s go. That sounds easy enough.”

If Simon was offended, he gave no indication. “I didn’t say it would be easy, Mr. McCann. I only said that I could do it. I can save us. But we’re running out of time. We should leave soon.”

“We’re not going anywhere until we’ve slept,” Gail said. “Novak’s still hurt, and McCann, you ought to rest up from earlier, too. And Simon, no offense, but you don’t look like you’re in any condition to go anywhere. Not after how we found you.”

Simon smiled. “I heal quickly. But you are correct. I think we could all do with a bit of sleep. By morning, I’ll feel right as rain.”

Gail, McCann and Novak all winced at the unintentional pun.

“Sorry,” Simon apologized. “I suppose I could have chosen a better phrase.”

“I’ll take watch,” Gail said. “There’s no sense in all of us staying awake.”

“Bullshit.” Novak shifted around, trying to sit up. Doing so elicited a groan. He slumped back down again.

“You need your sleep,” Gail chided him. “So does Simon. I’ll stand watch.”

“I can help,” McCann offered. “You take the first half and I’ll take the second.”

Gail hesitated. She was reluctant to give McCann that much responsibility, especially considering the erratic behavior he’d been exhibiting since their encounter with the living island. It seemed strange to her that it had all happened just a short time ago—the creature, the disappearance of the ship, and everything else that had happened. Events had conspired to lead them here, to this refuge of a madman and his prisoner—a prisoner who might be their only hope. Gail had never believed much in fate or providence, but the events of the last twenty-four hours made her wonder.

It occurred to her how insane Simon sounded. Not his voice or tone, both of which were perfectly pleasant and rational. It was the words themselves that sounded crazy. Secret paramilitary occult organizations and doorways to alternate universes were the stuff of fiction. But then again, so were the plethora of monsters they’d encountered. If she wanted fantasy, all she had to do was look outside. Even the weather was unnatural.

She realized that McCann was staring at her, waiting for her response. She smiled.

“That’s okay, really. You should get some sleep, too. You almost drowned today.”

“I’m fine,” he insisted. “Stop treating me like a baby.”

There was an edge in McCann’s voice that wasn’t normally there, and Gail wondered once more what was going on inside of him.

“How about this? I’ll take the first shift and you go to sleep. When I get tired, I promise that I’ll wake you up. Does that sound fair?”

McCann shrugged. His expression was sullen. “I guess.”

Gail checked their boat and made sure it was still secure. Then she turned to the fire, relishing the warmth.

“We should put this out, I guess.” Her voice rang with regret. “No sense in attracting whatever might be lurking outside overnight.”

“I concur,” Simon said. “And don’t fret, Gail. I can always start another come morning.”

Snuffing the flames, she nodded. As the ashes hissed and smoked, Gail felt a deep sense of loss. The warmth had brought comfort and a long-missed feeling of normality. With the fire gone, the cold and dampness seemed to creep back into her joints almost instantly. She sat down wearily in front of the open door and stared out into the darkness, listening to the waves and the rain. Soon, Novak began to snore behind her. McCann soon followed. When she turned to look at Simon, she couldn’t be sure if his eyes were closed or not. They seemed to be, yet there was a glint in the shadows. He sat still and his breathing was rhythmic and shallow. She turned her attention to the ocean again, and wondered how the hell they’d get across it in their rinky-dink boat with only a few weapons and supplies.

She wasn’t aware that she’d fallen asleep until something cold and wet coiled around her leg and began dragging her towards the water.