Deluge: The Conqueror Worms II

CHAPTER 88

Leviathan trudged toward them. Sarah could only imagine the skyscraper-sized legs plodding along beneath the surface. Each step sent huge waves surging outward from the beast. The thing shook its massive, misshapen head, flapping its tentacles, and its roar echoed across the ocean, drowning out all other sound.

The group paused, stunned, as each step brought the monstrosity closer. Sarah trembled with dread, tears streaming down her already wet cheeks as memories of her encounter with Leviathan in Baltimore overwhelmed her. At her side, both Henry and Gail gaped, staring in disbelief as Leviathan raged.

Leviathan’s roar faded, and Mylon cried out in anguish. Sarah turned to see him clutching his wound with one hand and trying to steady his rifle with the other, as two more starfish men slipped over the side onto the deck. Before they could reach him, Novak shot them both from his perch. Sarah watched as Novak patted his pockets. Then, he gestured at her, shouting something. The wind snatched his words away.

“What?” Sarah shouted.

“I’m out of ammo!”

Ahead of the rocking ship, the whirlpool grew larger, spinning faster as the light in its center continued to expand. Sarah couldn’t be sure, because the rain obscured her vision, but for a moment, she thought she saw blue sky and clouds in the center of the light.

That can’t be right, she thought.

It is, Simon’s voice said inside her head. But I need another moment to stabilize the doorway.

Startled, she glanced at Gail and Henry to see if they’d heard the telepathic message as well, but if so, neither of them gave any indication. Instead, they’d turned back to the battle. Above them, Novak was clambering down to the deck.

The song of the sirens began anew, as the feminine forms surfaced once more. The pain on Mylon’s face disappeared as the song grew louder. He lay the gun on the deck beside him and struggled to rise, leaving a bloody smear on the bulkhead behind him.

“His ears aren’t stuffed,” Sarah hollered at Henry. “Stop him!”

Henry, Gail, and Sarah battled their way toward the injured man. Sarah was dimly aware of Novak doing the same behind them. Leviathan roared again, and the ship lurched sharply, sending both the crew and their attackers careening. Mylon clutched the railing, steadying himself, and peered out over the side. His expression was peaceful.

“Mylon,” Gail yelled. “Don’t listen to them!”

“So beautiful.” Smiling, he climbed over the rail. “They say they can stop the pain. All I have to do is go to them.”

A starfish creature squealed as Henry buried his hatchet in its chest. Sarah leaped over the thrashing creature and slid across the wet deck, trying to reach Mylon before he leaped, but she was too late. Still smiling, the wounded man let go of the rail and plummeted into the ocean. When Sarah reached the railing and peered over the side, she saw the mermaids swarming over him, biting his throat and wrists and feasting on his blood. Mylon squirmed as if in ecstasy. A wave crashed over them all, and when it receded, both Mylon and the mermaids were gone.

You can’t help him, Sarah. Focus.

“Simon…” Sarah paused, and then thought it instead. Simon?

I’m here, came the response.

If you were telepathic, Sarah thought, then why didn’t you use it before?

Because when you first found me, I was too injured and weak. More importantly, when I do so, it can potentially attract the attention of other entities, such as Shtar. I’m only doing it now because I have no choice—and because in a few moments, it won’t matter.

Novak reached Gail and Henry. The three turned to Sarah. Novak made a sweeping motion with his hand. Sarah glanced around the vessel and realized that all of the creatures were dead.

“I think,” he panted, “we won.”

Sarah shook her head. “We’re going need more than guns and broom handles to deal with Leviathan.”

Novak opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, something small and silver jumped from the water and soared toward them—a shimmering school of flying fish, more teeth than body, tiny black eyes full of malevolence and hunger. The creatures swerved in mid-flight, targeting Henry. The teen stumbled backward, screaming, but Gail stepped in front of him, clutching a can of roach killer in each hand.

“I’ve got this.” She unleashed a spray directly onto the fish, who wheeled away, plunging back into the water.

The ship rolled again as it got caught in the whirlpool’s current. Sarah, Novak, Gail, and Henry grabbed on to each other to keep from falling.

Listen to me, all of you, came Simon’s voice in their heads. You need to leave this vessel immediately, before Leviathan arrives. Swim toward the center of the whirlpool. Don’t fight it. Just let it take you through the door.

How will we know when we’ve reached the other world? Gail asked.

Sarah was surprised that she could hear the question. Judging by Novak and Henry’s expressions, they heard, as well.

You’ll know, Simon said. The important thing is that you not fight the current. Let it sweep you along. If you fight, you could end up somewhere else. The Lost Level, or a different realm than the one I’m sending you to. Or simply wandering the Labyrinth.

What about you? Sarah thought. You’re coming, too, right?

No, I cannot. This ritual requires a sacrifice. That sacrifice is me. Consider it a karmic debt for what we did to the people aboard Locke’s ark. Had we not sacrificed them, we would not have made it this far. And now, to insure that the rest of you make it through the door, a further sacrifice is required.

Fuck that, Novak protested. Can’t you use one of these shark-men? Hell, we could catch one of those mermaids or something. Use one of them instead.

I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way, Mr. Novak. And besides, somebody has to remain behind to stop Leviathan and his spawn from following you through the doorway.

I’m the Captain, Novak said. If anybody is going down with the ship, it’s me.

Leviathan roared again. They glanced up, startled to see how much closer he was. He loomed over the boat now, blotting out the sky.

There is no time for bravado, Mr. Novak. Now go! All of you.

Novak stumbled as something pushed him toward the rail. Sarah felt it, too—as if a giant, invisible hand had shoved her. Gail and Henry struggled against the unseen force, as well. Above them, one of Leviathan’s tentacles curled around the antenna mast, snapping it off. Novak’s resolve dissipated. He turned around and jumped into the water. Gail, Henry, and Sarah followed.

Even as she slipped beneath the dark, foul water, Sarah could still hear Leviathan thundering overhead.