Fangtooth

Chapter 27

Jen’s bottom lip trembled and she shivered. “Where’ve they gone?” she whispered.

She was trying hard not to cry, but Jack could see that she was on the verge of breaking down. A monster had chased her, and she had discovered that her grandmother was a nutcase, so was it any wonder?

Jack noticed Lillian had scuttled away when his dad turned up. He wondered where she had gone; wondered where the monster had gone too. He hadn’t seen it since it scurried into the rocks after his dad. He hoped his old man was all right.

He sat at the edge of the recess. Open to the elements, it was cold and sea spray kept soaking them whenever a wave rolled in, but it was a difficult climb, which kept the creature out.

Jen slouched in the rear of the recess, and Jack shuffled back and snuggled up next to her, trying to keep each other warm. The moon was bright enough to enable him to see down to the water, and he kept his eyes alert for any sign of the creature.

“They’re going to leave us here, aren’t they,” Jen said.

Jack turned and shook his head. “Of course they’re not. But you saw that thing, they had to get away.”

Jen sniffled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. “We’re going to die, and it’s all my gran’s fault. What was she thinking? I know she’s a little batty at times, but this…”

Jack squeezed Jen’s shoulder. “It’s going to be okay, trust me.”

Jen looked at him with big, moist eyes, and without even thinking what he was doing, Jack kissed her quickly on the lips. A jumble of thoughts ran through his head as he turned away, and he could feel his cheeks burning. What a dumb ass stupid thing to do. Why did he have to go and do that?

He felt Jen’s hand touch his cheek, and he flinched, thought perhaps she was going to slap him or swear or something, so he wasn’t prepared when she turned his head towards hers and kissed him back. The kiss didn’t last long, but it was long enough to send a delicious shiver down his spine.

When their lips parted, there was an embarrassing silence, then Jack took Jen’s hand in his and squeezed.

“I’m sure someone will come for us soon,” he said.

Jen nodded and pursed her lips. “They’d better. I don’t think my hair can take much more of this.” She ran her hand through her sodden locks and smiled.

Jack grinned back.

Then he settled against the wall with his arm around her shoulder, offering the comfort of his embrace.

After a moment, a noise caught his attention, and he turned and stared across the expanse of water to see a boat approaching, its bow slicing through the waves like a cleaver leaving a foaming trail in its wake. Bright lights played across the surface of the water.

“Jen, look,” he said, “someone’s come to rescue us.”

Jen sat up and a look of hope spread across her face. She smiled at Jack. “You were right.”

“I always am.”

She punched his arm playfully.

The boat drew closer, and Jack could see someone standing on deck. It took him a moment to realise that it was Rocky–and that the figure at the wheel was Zander.

“Oh shit,” he said.

Jen frowned. “What is it?”

“Zander and Rocky.”

“I don’t care who it is as long as they’re here to rescue us.”

Jack wasn’t so sure that that was what they were here for. He had a sinking feeling, as though his heart had taken an express elevator down to his stomach.

He heard Zander ease back on the throttle, and the boat came to a virtual standstill about fifty feet away.

Rocky cupped his hands around his mouth. “Well isn’t this romantic,” he shouted, rocking precariously as the boat pitched in the waves.

Even from a distance, Jack could see the sickly look on Rocky’s face.

“Is he being sarcastic?” Jen said.

“I doubt he has enough brain cells to know what being sarcastic is.”

“That asshole.”

“I knew there was something going on between you,” Rocky shouted. “Well, you’re welcome to each other.”

Zander stormed out of the wheelhouse and yanked Rocky out of the way to shut him up. “So where are my drugs?” he shouted.

“Jesus,” Jack said to Jen. “Is he mad?”

“I did warn you.”

“Look,” Jack shouted back. “I took less than an eighth. It was no big deal. Now just fuckin’ help get us out of here.”

Zander shook his head. “It wasn’t in your house, me and dickhead here looked.”

Jack noticed Rocky grimace, and he felt a slight sense of glee at Rocky’s discomfort. “I’m sorry. What else can I say?”

“I don’t know how you found it all the way out there at sea, but where’ve you put it? And don’t fuck me around, because I’m not in the mood.”

“What’s he on about?” Jen asked. “I thought you only took a bit.”

“I did. He’s lost it.” He turned back to Zander. “Look, I don’t know what you’re on about, and I don’t know how you found us, but can’t you see we’re stuck out here.”

“Luckily for me, I was outside the bar when your old man was telling Graham where you were. Now tell me where my stuff is, otherwise I’m going to make you wish you’d never been born.”

Jack shrugged.

“Goddamn it, where are my drugs?” Zander roared.

The sound sent a shiver down Jack’s spine, and he was glad there was fifty feet of water between them. The man was crazy.

“Rocky,” Jen called, “you’ve got to help us. There’s something… something in the water.”

Rocky scowled. “Don’t you remember, we broke up. Or rather, you broke up with me. And now you want my help. Well you can go to hell, you bitch.”

“Rocky, for God’s sake, can’t you see we’re in trouble?

“Ask me if I care. I’m sure old Jacky boy there will help rescue you. Oh, I forgot, he’s stuck too.” Rocky laughed, then turned and lurched to the side of the boat where he was violently sick.

Zander turned towards Rocky and scowled. He said something that made Rocky shake his head in reply.

“Now, enough of the teenage tantrums and love sick kid bullshit,” Zander roared. “Where the fuck are my drugs?”

Jack shook his head. “Fuck your fuckin’ drugs. You’ve got to listen to me, there’s something in the water, some sort of creature, a monster, I don’t know.” Jack knew he was rambling, but he didn’t know what else to do. They couldn’t stay where they were much longer. The creature would be back soon, he was sure of it.

Zander ran both hands through his short brown hair, his lips pursed. “Listen kid, give me back my stuff and I’ll say no more about it.”

“I’ve told you, I don’t have anything.”

Zander looked furious. Even from a distance, Jack could see the tendons in his neck protruding like thick cables, his ruddy cheeks aflame.

“Okay, I’ll tell you where they are when you rescue us,” Jack shouted.

Jen glared at him. “I thought you said you didn’t take them.”

“I didn’t,” Jack whispered, “but if the only chance of our being rescued was to say that I robbed Fort Knox, I’d fess up to that, too.”

Zander nodded his head. “I’m glad to see you’ve seen sense. I’ll bring the boat as close as I can, but then you’re going to have to swim.”

“Swim!” Jen shrieked. “No way. There’s no way I’m going in that water.”

“I know how you feel,” Jack replied. He turned back to the boat and shouted, “Isn’t there another way, you know, without going in the water?”

“Not without running aground. Now I’m going to bring the boat as close as I can.” He turned and started back towards the wheelhouse.

“We can’t go in the water,” Jen squealed.

Zander stopped and turned back. “Look, either you get in the goddamn water, or I come over there and drag you across.”

“There’s something in the water,” Jen shouted.

“And there’ll be something else in there in a minute, you pair. Now get a move on.”

“Can’t you throw us a line?” Jack hollered.

Zander rolled his massive shoulders and turned to Rocky, who was still leaning over the side of the boat. He said something, then grabbed Rocky by the scruff of his neck and hauled him to his feet. Then he pointed at something on the boat and said something else that Jack couldn’t hear. Rocky shook his head, and Zander clipped him around the ear, which forced Rocky into action.

Rocky staggered across the deck, his face turning green. Every time the boat moved, he almost fell to his knees. Zander made his way back to the wheelhouse, moving as though man and boat were one.

Towards the front of the boat, Rocky bent down. When he stood up, he had a lifebuoy attached to a rope in his hand.

The sound of the engines grew louder as Zander brought the boat closer to shore. A moment later, his voice boomed out of a speaker.

“The lad here will throw you the lifebuoy,” he roared above the noise of the engines, waves and wind. “You’ll have to jump in the water, then we’ll pull you aboard.”

Jack felt Jen shivering at his side. “I know it’s scary, but they’ll be able to pull us aboard pretty fast.”

Jen cupped her face in her hands. “I don’t know whether I can do it.”

“Well, I know you can.” He smiled to offer encouragement. “If you go first, I’ll keep an eye out, and if I see anything, well, you know, I’ll…”

“What?”

Jack swallowed. “I’ll jump in the water and distract it if I have to.”

“Don’t be stupid. I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask. I’m volunteering.”

Jen kissed him on the cheek.

Concerned that Rocky might have seen, Jack glanced across at the boat as it drew nearer to the rocks, but Rocky was leaning over the bow, shaking his head.

“Okay, that’s as close as I dare come,” Zander said through the speaker. “Kid, throw them that lifebuoy, and be quick about it.”

The boat’s engines revved as Zander fought to hold his position, and Rocky stood up and threw the lifebuoy as far as he could. The red and white striped float hit the water about fifteen feet from Jack and Jen’s location.

“It’s too far away,” Jen said.

“It won’t be that far when you’re in the water. Come on, I’ll help you down.” Jack lowered himself from the ledge to the rocks below. A nervous tremor ran through him, but he tried to put on a brave face and despite his fear, he helped Jen down. The waves rolled across the rocks at his feet.

“I don’t know whether I can do this,” Jen said.

Jack put his hands on her shoulders. “Yes, you can. Rocky will pull you aboard before you know it.” He looked across at the boat, which seemed to lurch closer towards the rocks with each fresh swell. “I’ll keep an eye out, now go.”

He ushered her towards the water, and despite her obvious fear, Jen complied. She waded out, and after only a couple of steps, the water was up to her neck. “Now swim for the lifebuoy,” Jack said. “You can do it.”

Jen started to swim and Jack kept his eyes peeled on the sea for any sign of the creature. When Jen reached the lifebuoy, she grabbed hold of it. “Okay, pull,” she screamed.

Rocky didn’t respond, and Jack could see he was leaning over the side of the boat again, fighting not to be sick.

“Rocky, goddamn it, pull Jen aboard,” Jack shouted. He sensed Jen’s fear as she bobbed in the water like the bait on the end of a line, and wished he could comfort her.

“Pull her in,” Zander boomed through the speakers, “or God help me, I’ll toss you overboard.”

Spurred into action by Zander’s voice, Rocky lurched to his feet and grabbed hold of the rope. He looked on the verge of being sick again as he started to pull, and Jack hoped he could hold it together long enough to haul Jen aboard.

The engines revved as Zander fought to hold position. Jack bit his lip and scanned the water. He glanced back towards Jen, saw something, and narrowed his eyes to see through the swells. There was something in the water twenty or so feet away from Jen. Jack tried to swallow, but his mouth was dry. The short hairs on the nape of his neck tingled.

“Pull,” he shouted, but Rocky seemed to lack the strength to heave. Jen kicked with her legs to assist, but she wasn’t moving very fast.

He hoped the shape in the water was just a piece of seaweed or driftwood, but when it moved counter to the waves, it dashed his hopes.

The creature was back.

In the beam of the boat’s searchlight, the creature’s head looked like a shiny black carapace and its two beady eyes glinted. It rose and fell in the waves, its attention fixed on Jen as she struggled to swim towards the boat.

Jack felt a pang of fear, but he had made Jen a promise, and he wasn’t about to break it. “Over here, you son of a bitch,” he screamed, waving his arms.

Whether it hadn’t heard or wasn’t interested, the creature continued towards Jen. She turned at the sound of Jack’s voice, and her eyes grew wide as she saw the creature gliding towards her.

She screamed.

“Pull faster,” Jack shouted, but Rocky was either oblivious or was feeling too sick to respond.

Seeing no other option, Jack plunged into the water. Despite being cold and wet already, the sea was freezing. He started to swim, fighting the overwhelming lethargy that invaded his body. The incessant waves rolled over him, submerging his head and he came up each time gasping for breath. White froth floated around him like the rabid salivations of the beast he was trying to attract.

What the hell was he doing out here, offering himself up as live bait? If the creature attacked, he knew he stood little to no chance of fighting it off. But he couldn’t let Jen die. He had felt a connection between them, and that was enough. Besides, he couldn’t stand by and let someone die while doing nothing to help.

Summoning all his strength, he ploughed through the waves, kicking furiously while his arms swept through the water. A powerful swimmer in the local pool, he found swimming fully clothed in the sea sapped his strength.

Caught in the swell, it was hard to see much, and he couldn’t see the creature anywhere.

Jen was now about ten feet away, hanging onto the lifebuoy, and Rocky looked as though he had given up on pulling her anymore as he hung with his head over the side of the boat.

He heard the engines turning over, saw Zander in the wheelhouse struggling to maintain the boat’s position – he knew Zander wasn’t going to wait around forever.

When he reached Jen’s side, Jack said, “You’ve got to swim.”

Jen looked at him with wide, fear-filled eyes. “We’re going to die,” she wailed.

A wave washed over Jack, filling his mouth with saltwater. He coughed and choked; bone weary, he struggled to tread water. “Don’t think like that. Just swim for the boat.”

He looked around for the creature. Where was the blasted thing? He tried not to think it could be directly under him, in the dark expanse of water, but it was hard not to when his legs were dangling below the surface. Something buffeted his side; he thought it was the creature and panic washed through him. Even when he realised it was only a wave, he couldn’t relax. They were sitting ducks out here – had to get aboard the boat as fast as they could.

“Rocky,” Jack shouted, “goddamn it, pull, you son of a bitch.”

Rocky raised his head, and despite his sickly demeanour, Jack could see his words had elicited a response, the set of his jaw now locked in anger. He looked about to respond, when his expression changed. His eyes grew wider, his jaw going slack, frown lines wrinkling his brow. He pointed, his hand shaking.

“There’s something in the water,” he shouted.

Jack didn’t think Rocky would win medals any time soon. He grimaced and battled to keep his and Jen’s heads above the rolling waves before turning to look where Rocky indicated. And there it was, less than eight feet away, its enormous jaw open to reveal the wicked curve of its long, pointed teeth. Water rolled from its head, following the course of the ridges that covered its surface. The light from the searchlight illuminated the creature; its dark shell gleamed in the light.

The next minute, the creature ducked below the surface. Absolute terror raced through Jack’s veins. He scanned the water, but there was no sign of it. Any minute he expected to feel its teeth attach themselves to his legs, to bite through skin, muscle, flesh and bone as it dragged him down into the depths. Thinking he was drawing his last few breaths, he embraced Jen, using the lifebuoy to keep him afloat.

Then, without warning, he was moving through the water. He looked up to see Zander pulling on the rope. The tendons on the skipper’s neck stood out, and the muscles in his forearms flexed. He appeared to have braced himself against the side of the boat, and he gritted his teeth and pulled for all he was worth, hauling hand over hand.

Jack and Jen helped by kicking with their feet, but Jack didn’t feel they were moving fast enough. He could see Zander was pulling as hard as he could, his face red with exertion, but he wasn’t strong enough.

Rocky then appeared beside Zander and grabbed the rope. With a brief nod of his head towards Jack and Jen, he started to help.

At the back of his mind, Jack knew there was no one at the helm, and that the boat was floating towards the rocks, but he tried to dismiss the thought, the more pressing matter of the creature paramount.

With Rocky’s help, they moved swiftly, slicing through the waves until they reached the boat. Water sluiced through wide gaps in the side of the boat, runoffs for the water on deck. The boat’s masts and booms swayed as the boat lurched to one side. Jack felt a sick feeling in his stomach as he thought the boat was about to capsize. Next moment, the vessel righted itself, and Zander called out, “Heave.”

But they were too heavy. He heard Zander cursing, but from his position in the water, he was unable to see him. Realizing if they were to stand any chance of surviving, he had to let go of the lifebuoy. Jack kissed Jen quickly on the cheek, tasting the saltwater on her skin, and then let go. He immediately sank down into the water, and without his added weight, he watched as Jen rose out of the sea.

Alone in the water, fear penetrated his body, and he wondered why the hell he had let go. It was crazy.

The cold water was making his body go numb, and he could no longer feel his fingers. He wondered if his mind would go the same way, numb to the pain that would surely follow, and he closed his eyes and waited.

“Grab hold, and be quick about it,” Zander said.

Jack opened his eyes and looked up to see the lifebuoy hanging above his head. He reached out and grabbed it, and a sense of relief washed through him as he slipped one arm and his head through the hole in the centre.

He heard a splash in the water behind him, and his heart missed a beat. The creature was coming. He could feel his temples pound, his breath coming in rapid little bursts. Then he was out of the water, his free arm slamming into the side of the boat and sending a nerve-jarring pain up to his shoulder.

Ignoring the pain, he lifted his legs clear of the water and walked up the side of the vessel as the others pulled.

Seconds later, he lay on the deck, panting. Sodden through to the skin, he felt cold and miserable. But at least he was still alive.

Zander crouched down and grabbed Jack by the scruff of his neck. “What the blazes was that thing, kid?”

Jack struggled to breathe. “I don’t know,” he gasped.

“How many of them are there?”

“One, we’ve only seen one.”

“Make that two,” Jen said, pointing out to sea. Zander dropped Jack on the deck.

“I count… three,” Rocky said as he fought not to be sick.

Jack jumped to his feet and stared out to sea. He counted quickly. “There’s four, no five. Hold on, there’s another one. Jesus, there are loads of them.”

Zander bounded towards the wheelhouse.

Jack watched Zander disappear inside, saw him buckle himself into the chair, and then he heard the engines roar and the whole boat seemed to vibrate as they reversed away from the rocks.

Jack looked towards the shore, only then realizing how close they were. Jagged rocks protruded a few feet from the bow. He heard something scrape across the hull, felt the boat judder, the engines splutter. They were going to run aground.

Jack clenched his teeth. Jen grabbed his hand and he squeezed her fingers.

Loose buoys and rope slid across the deck as the boat pitched to one side. Jack stumbled, just managing to stop himself falling by grabbing hold of a winch arm. He held on tight to Jen, who still had a hold of his other hand, and stopped her from falling, too. Rocky wasn’t so lucky. He rolled across the deck and collided with the side of the boat where he lay, unmoving.

The boat was still at a precarious angle, and a fresh wave washed over the side. Jack held on tight. For a brief moment, the wave was illuminated in the boat’s lights, made almost glass like. And in that instant, Jack saw something dark contained within the wave, something that rode the swell aboard the boat.

Next minute, the boat righted itself, and the engines grumbled as Zander opened up the throttle, steering them out to deeper water, away from the rocks.

Jack let go of the winch and stared back towards the wheelhouse, and his jaw dropped open.

One of the creatures was on the boat. It scuttled across the deck, snapping its jaws, eyes glinting with malevolence.

A hunter stalking its prey, the creature advanced towards Jack and Jen.