Deluge: The Conqueror Worms II

CHAPTER 76

“Can’t believe we went through all of that just to come away empty-handed,” Novak said as they rowed toward the ship. “Such a waste.”

Henry wanted to take issue with the comment, and point out that they had managed to save him and Sarah, not to mention the backpack of meager supplies he had strapped over his shoulders, but he was too terrified to speak. The water was silent, save for the raindrops pelting its surface and the small waves lapping at the sides of the boat. The black depths below were thick with an almost palpable menace. He sat still, muscles tensed, jaw clenched, remembering his escape from the grain silo to land and waiting for one of the shark men to attack.

Instead, he just got wet. Henry shivered as the rain managed to creep beneath his makeshift armor. When he glanced around the boat, he saw that the others were equally miserable.

“How you holding up?” he asked Sarah.

She shrugged. “We’re still alive. I didn’t think we would be. I guess that counts for something.”

“I reckon so, given what we were thinking about doing.”

“What was that?” Gail asked, slipping an oar through the water.

Henry blushed. “We… we were thinking about… killing ourselves. Maybe it sounds stupid, but we really thought…”

“Don’t sweat it, Kid,” Novak said. “We’d been discussing the same thing not too long ago.”

“Really? What made you change your minds?”

Novak turned away. “A mutiny.”

The ship loomed out of the mist and they pulled alongside. Henry noticed four other shadowy figures looming around the rail, but the fog concealed their features. Once he and Sarah were safely aboard, the rest of the crew stepped forward, and Novak made introductions.

“Henry and Sarah, meet Simon, Caterina, Mylon and Tatiana.”

“Howdy.” Henry stuck out his hand, but the others recoiled.

“No offense, Mr. Garrett,” Simon said, smiling, “but you’ll need to be detoxified before we shake. We can’t risk the chance of infection. I’m sure you both understand.”

“How do you know my last name?” Henry asked.

“Simon does parlor tricks,” Novak said. “You think that’s something, ask him to light your cigarette.”

Mylon cleared his throat. “Speaking of which, where’s the flamethrower?”

“We had to leave it behind,” Novak said. “It was contaminated.”

“Was that the explosion we heard?”

“You guys didn’t see the flash?” Gail asked.

“Nope,” Mylon said. “Too foggy.”

“We had to leave the supplies, too,” Novak said. “Except for the few things Henry has in his pack.”

Mylon shook his head. “Well, this whole thing has been one big cluster-fuck.”

“That’s no way to talk to our guests,” Simon scolded. “I suggest we get out of the rain, raise anchor, get underway, and allow Mylon and Caterina to continue their shift at watch. I’m sure our new arrivals would like some dry clothes and something to eat.”

Nodding, Henry said, “That would be great. Me and Sarah—”

A loud splash echoed off the portside. Whatever had caused the disturbance, it was enough to increase the size of the waves. The ship rocked beneath their feet.

Simon tensed. “How soon can we be underway, Mr. Novak?”

“Ten minutes.”

“Make it five. It’s no longer safe to stay here.”

“Not for nothing, Simon, but the same could be said of the rest of the world.”

“That’s what I meant, Mr. Novak,” Simon replied. “That’s exactly what I meant…”