The sheriff closed his eyes, knowing how ridiculous his next statement was going to sound. “They’re some kind of killer sea monster. I’m asking for you to bring troopers down here to help us find these creatures and wipe them out.”
A raucous laugh came through the speaker, making Steele cringe. “Yeah, sure,” chuckled Moody.
“We can send you the video from the hospital cameras to prove it,” Marty interjected. “What’s your email address, and we’ll shoot it over to you.”
“Um, okay,” said Captain Moody, with some cynicism. “We’ll take a look at it.” He gave the email address and Marty wrote it down.
“Awright then,” the sheriff affirmed. “We’ll get that over to you in a jiffy. Call me back here after you’ve seen it, then?”
“You got it.”
Sheriff Steele hung up and looked at Marty. “You know how to do that video to email stuff?”
Marty nodded. “Sure. It’s just a matter of attaching the video file to the email.”
“Great. Do it.”
The diver proceeded to send an email to the state troopers, and he added the security camera file from the flash drive. Then he sent it to the address Captain Moody had given, and he faced the sheriff.
“There you go,” Marty confirmed. “It’s on its way. Now we’ll just wait a few minutes for them to check it out and call you back.”
The men waited anxiously, trying to be patient. Ten minutes went by, and they figured the troopers were watching the video several times to let it sink in. But after twenty minutes, the state boys still had not called back; the sheriff grew concerned.
“Maybe the email didn’t get to them,” said Steele. “I better call ‘em back.” He activated the speakerphone and hit redial to call the trooper station again.
“Yes, Jimmy?” said Captain Moody when he picked up, recognizing the number on his caller ID.
“Did you guys get the email?”
“Oh, we got it.”
“…And?”
“I’ve gotta say, Jimmy, that’s some great CGI video you guys put together down there. But I’m afraid we’re not gonna fall for it.”
The sheriff was flabbergasted. “This isn’t a fucking hoax, Josh! Do you really think I’d waste my time trying to pull pranks on you?”
“Um, yeah. But like I said, it looks pretty real. If you put it on YouTube, I’ll bet you can get enough hits to supplement your retirement fund.”
“Look,” said Steele, trying to keep his cool. “I had people killed by whatever the hell these things are, and I need all the help I can get rooting them out and killing them before any more of my civilians get killed.”
“If you did have a couple of deaths there, I’m sure you and yours can handle it.”
“I’m not fucking around here.”
“I’ll tell you what,” said the trooper. “You just have your Mayor Vargas give us an official call, and then we might take you seriously.”
“The mayor’s on vacation somewhere on a Mediterranean cruise! Won’t be back for a week. That puts me in charge, and I’m giving you the official call. We need your assistance down here!”
“Alright, Jimmy, you’ve had your fun. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“Fuck you very much.” Sheriff Steele picked up the handset and slammed it down, ending the call.
“So I guess we’re on our own?” asked Carl.
The sheriff looked his fellow officer in the eye. “Appears that way. Just you, me, and Lewis. But poor old Lewis can’t do us much good trying to fight those things. I may have to deputize some more people, like Marty here. Or young Mason Parker, Mr. Criminal-Justice-Degree. If things get out of hand around here, we’re gonna need all the manpower we can get.”
CHAPTER 24
The sheriff was at the dock, kneeling to untie the police boat from the cleat, when he saw them. Mason, Eaver, and Danny were trotting toward him, their shoes clomping loudly on the planks. They called out to him as they approached. What now? he wondered nervously.
He stood to address them. “What’s up, kids?”
“My dad’s gone missing,” said Danny. “Last I saw him was two days ago. I’m afraid he might’ve been taken by one of those creatures Eaver told me about.”
“Hope not,” Sheriff Steele said sincerely. “Could be he’s just out doin’ his own thing. Has he called or anything?”
“No sir, and I can’t call him. His phone just goes straight to voicemail. Not that I’m complaining about having some time to myself, but this just isn’t like him. I’m a little bit worried.”
“I’ll add him to the list of people to look for. Turns out young Miss Hannah’s gone missing too.”
Eaver folded her arms. “Mmm-hmmm,” she smirked, knowing the gossip she had heard about Ricky and Hannah was true.
Mason caught Eaver’s tone and looked quizzically at her. She merely gave a shake of her head, suggesting he ignore the response.
Danny was too concerned about the sheriff’s statement to notice Eaver’s reaction. “Hannah’s missing too? Hannah Dermont?”
Sheriff Steele nodded. “Yep. Her ma says she hasn’t come home in about two days either. So the list is up to Earl Goates, Walt Jr., Sarah Primley, Hannah, and now maybe your dad.”
“You going out to look for her on the water?” asked Danny.
“No, son, I’m afraid it’s bigger than missing persons. Last night some of those creatures busted into the hospital and killed a few people. Malcolm Gibbs included.”
“Oh my God!” said Eaver, her hand involuntarily flying to her mouth.
Mason, stunned, gazed down at the waves lapping the dock moorings. “Mal’s dead?” he said without bringing his eyes up. “Jesus.”
The sheriff nodded. “So right now, I’m not sure just what to do next. The state troopers won’t come down, they think I’m making the whole goddamn story up. My diver thinks their den is somewhere in Pirate’s Bend, so I figure I’m gonna take the boat over there to see if I can find any sign of those creatures.”
“Something’s there in Pirate’s Bend, alright,” said Danny. “When all of us were there on Sunday we heard some unusual splashing not too far from shore. Sounded like something big. If it was one of those things, it’s gotta be living close to that spot.”
“Could you tell me exactly where you heard the splashing? That would be a good place for me to start.”
“No, not really,” said Danny. “But I could show you.”
The sheriff winced, reluctant. “I don’t know about that. I’d feel better if I didn’t have anybody on the boat I’d be responsible for.”
Mason offered his input. “I think we should go with you, Sheriff. We can take you right to where the sound came from, and Lord knows the more eyes, ears, and hands you have out there, the better.”
The young man had a point. Since Marty had taken the hospital footage home to enhance it and send it to his colleagues to solicit their help, and Deputy Riggins was finishing the unpleasant business of getting hold of the families of those killed in the hospital, the sheriff was alone right now. He was timid about bringing any civilians on the police boat, especially to a potentially dangerous area, but he could use all the assistance he could get right now.
“Okay,” he conceded. “But I’m gonna deputize you, temporarily, just to make it official.”
“Fine by me,” said Mason. “After all, I’ve got the degree for it.”
Danny and Eaver also agreed to the enlistment. The sheriff gave the short and sweet version, officially claiming them as temporary deputies under his jurisdiction. The group raised their right hands, swore to their new duty, and then boarded the cruiser. The sheriff untied the rope from the cleat, flung it inside the boat, and jumped aboard to start the motor.
The patrol cruiser was a twenty-five-foot-long center-console vessel, built strong and unsinkable. Sheriff Steele felt pretty good about the group’s safety as long as they stayed on the boat. With a glance at the others and a little nod, he pulled away from the
dock.
It was overcast and gloomy, which gave the ocean waves a dull gray hue. The murky water, stirred up by last night’s storm, was ornamented with floating seaweed and red algae. The scent of the ocean’s viscera was richer than usual as well, but it lightened as the boat cruised farther away from shore.
While the vessel traveled across the water, Mason found himself studying Eaver from the corner of his eye. He admired her bravery and companionship. Despite the crazy events of the last twenty-four hours, she would not be scared off; she was still right here in the thick of it. She had always been a steady, loyal friend to have. He watched her while the wind blew her highlighted hair back, exposing her face and neckline, and he could not help thinking how lovely she had become over the years. She had indeed blossomed into an attractive young woman.
It only took ten minutes for the vessel to arrive at the mouth of Pirate’s Bend. The sheriff turned the wheel, steered into the cove, and reduced speed.
“Okay, kids,” he said, “eyes and ears sharp. I still can’t wrap my head around what we’re up against, but if it’s in here I want you all to stay alert and well inside the vessel.”
“You got it,” Mason affirmed. “After seeing one of these things up close, I’m on full alert here.”
“Ditto,” said Eaver, her back pressed safely into her chair and her hands firmly holding on to the armrests.
The patrol cruiser sputtered along the surface of the cove, its occupants scanning the surrounding water fervently for any signs of animal life.
As they reached the center, Danny nudged the sheriff. “It was right around there,” he said, pointing. “That’s where we heard the noise in the water.”
Sheriff Steele followed the young man’s finger to a spot not more than fifteen feet from shore, near a notch in the rocky shoreline. “Okay,” he acknowledged. “Let’s cruise over there.” He steered the patrol boat toward the notch.
When they got to the spot, the sheriff cut the engine. The boat slowed to a crawl, quietly coasting while the waves slapped against the hull. The group surveyed the surrounding water for any sign of the beasts they were looking for, but the sea offered none. After twenty minutes, they agreed it was time to try searching somewhere else.
Steele started the motor and cranked the wheel left to turn away from there. Just as the boat started pulling away, Mason saw a dark-green, snake-like object burst from the water and strike the transom, hooking into the boat’s edge with a white talon.
He instantly recognized the dark thing as a tentacle from one of the monsters.
“Sheriff! Sheriff!” he cried out. Another tentacle latched onto the transom, and the creature began to climb up the starboard corner of the stern.
The sheriff looked back to see what Mason was hollering about. When he saw the monster trying to pull itself aboard, his heart skipped a beat. “Jesus,” he muttered, actually seeing one of these things with his own eyes. He immediately grabbed the gun on his hip.
Mason’s eyes darted, looking for something to use as defense against the aggressive creature. He saw an aluminum paddle stowed next to him in the boat’s sidewall, and he quickly reached for it. He swung the paddle desperately at the animal in an attempt to keep it at bay.
A gunshot went off, and Mason saw the creature’s body take the hit. The sheriff’s shot winged it between two tentacles, shredding tissue and spraying blood. The beast convulsed, retracting its tentacles, and fell backwards into the water.
Their hearts pounding, everybody watched the edge of the stern earnestly while the vessel moved forward. With any luck the bullet had injured the animal enough to send it fleeing back into the depths. But then they saw a tentacle whipping over the transom and digging in. The creature began to pull itself out of the water again.
Eaver screamed. “It’s still alive! Go, go, go!”
Sheriff Steele pushed the throttle all the way, hoping to shake the monster from his boat. But the willful animal held strong and continued its attempt to board the vessel.
Danny couldn’t move. He wanted to, but he was paralyzed with shock. He was frozen in his chair, his legs pulled up against his chest, white-knuckled hands gripping the seat.
Mason jammed the paddle against the hostile creature’s body and pushed with all the strength he could muster. Then Mason noticed the submerged tentacles on its left side were dangerously close to the boat propellers.
“Turn right! Turn right!” he yelled.
The sheriff pulled the wheel to the right, and the outboard motor swung that way. A tentacle fell into the whirling propeller and became wrapped in it. The creature was yanked down and pulled toward the blades. Its tangled tentacle was ripped free from its body, but by then it was too late. The propeller had already found the monster’s midsection and was chopping it up vigorously. Blood and tissue was churned into the water.
“Yeah!” Mason exclaimed, the exultation of triumph overtaking his fear. He leaned over the stern, thrust the paddle at the distressed creature, and pushed it further against the strong propeller. It took no time at all for the blades to render the beast dead.
The sheriff, his heart still pounding wildly, cut off the engine and rushed back to look at the carcass. “Jesus Mother Mary,” he uttered.
The tattered body sank into the depths, slowly drifting out of sight. All that remained on the surface were shredded chunks floating in a stew of blood, and the air was thick with the smell of sulfur and fishy flesh.
“God, that’s a stink,” Danny remarked.
Mason looked at the red carnage littering the water. Then he turned his head to Eaver. “Like crab cakes,” he said with a slight grin. “All you need now is some ketchup.”
Eaver hurried to the edge of the boat and threw up.
CHAPTER 25
They wasted no time getting out of Pirate’s Bend. Having narrowly escaped the attack of just one creature, the sheriff realized they were not equipped to be out there with however many more that may be lurking in the waters. But at least now he could confirm that the monsters were in that area of the cove.
Danny had barely spoken a word since the frightening encounter, still in shock. Eaver was quiet too, her arm locked tightly around Mason’s. They just gazed out at the water as the boat made its way back to the dock.
After tying the patrol boat to the moorings, the sheriff ushered the others off the vessel and onto the wooden dock. Then, seeing his cruiser still parked near the beach, he led his young partners ashore.
Steele stopped and turned to face them. Now that they were safely on land and no longer in danger, his mind was free to consider their emotional well-being. “Are you all okay?” he asked.
Mason looked at Eaver, who nodded. Then he said, “We are, thank God. But that was a harrowing experience.”
The sheriff studied Mason, sizing him up. “You did good out there, son.”
Mason shrugged. “Did what I had to, I guess. Although next time we go on an expedition, you better give me a gun.”
Sheriff Steele grinned. “It’s a deal… deputy. You know how to handle a gun?”
“Yessir.”
“Then, if there is a next time, I’ll hook you up.” Steele then shook his head nervously. “But I’ll be damned if I go back out there unless I absolutely have to. I’m gonna see if my marine biologist might have a better idea for taking care of those things.”
Mason wanted to be involved for the duration of this ordeal. “Mind if we tag along?” he asked.
The sheriff nodded. “I’ve got no problem with that.” The young adults would definitely not be in the way, and might even be able to offer helpful suggestions. At this point, the more assistance he had the better.
Danny, however, had other plans. “Sorry, but I need to get home,” he stated. “Just in case my dad shows up, or if he tries to call the house.”
“Alright, buddy,” said Mason. “We’ll give you a call if we find out anything about your dad.” He slapped Danny’s shoulder, and then watched him turn and wal
k away.
Sheriff Steele brought Mason and Eaver to his police cruiser and let them inside. Then he started the vehicle, dialed Marty Bennett’s phone, and drove toward the station.
Half an hour later, Marty arrived at the police station to join them. After having heard the sheriff’s account of what happened, he was eager to help engineer a plan for dealing with the mysterious creatures.
He entered the building, seeing the others gathered at the front desk. Sheriff Steele was on the radio, telling Carl to come in. When the sheriff was finished with that, Marty spoke to him.
“So just what the hell happened out there?” the diver asked. “Did you really kill one?”
The sheriff nodded. “We did. I got a shot off and winged it, but ol’ Mason here is the one who killed it. He pushed it into the propeller, which chopped it up into pieces. It was nasty.”
“I believe it,” said Marty. “Were they as horrible as they looked on video?”
“Worse.” Steele closed his eyes tightly. “Looked like something from Hell had a threesome with something from the ocean and something from outer space.”
The diver remembered the security footage images vividly. “I still can’t believe it. It’s one thing to try to fathom their existence after watching the video, but now hearing that you saw one up close… wow.”
“And I never want to see one again. But at least now we’ve confirmed they’re in the cove, and what area they’re in.”
Marty arched his eyebrows. “Right by Pirate’s Point, huh?”
“Yep. We were attacked in the water real close to there.”
“Well, that clinches it. That cavern I found beneath Pirate’s Point has to be their nest. So now all we have to do is go kill them.”
“You got any ideas how?” asked Mason.
The diver nodded. “Um-hmm. I think some well-placed underwater explosives would do the trick.”
Sheriff Steele was intrigued. “How do you mean?”
“Well,” said Marty, “I’ll plant the explosives at the mouth to the cavern and blast it shut. The creatures will either be blown up or be trapped inside. Either way, they’d die.”
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