With the tide coming in, it made it easier for Jack to swim for shore. Of course, it was also easier for the monster at his rear, too, which, as a denizen of the sea, was probably a more adept swimmer. But Jack and Jen were far enough away that he thought they had a chance.
He looked towards the shore to see how far he had to go, glimpsed Jen’s grandmother standing on the rocks, watching impassively.
Whether it was a result of the hit on the head, being tied up, fear, or the cold, Jack felt himself flagging. His arms and legs felt leaden, and he struggled to claw his way through the water. He couldn’t get the creature’s face out of his mind, those big, long teeth like curved knives bearing down on his legs.
The thought spurred him on and he kicked out furiously and swept his arms through the water like a man possessed. Up ahead, Jen waded out of the water, and he was glad that at least she wouldn’t become the creature’s dessert.
Next minute, his fingers brushed against the rocks below, and he scrambled to his feet. The rocks were slimy with seaweed, and he felt his left foot slip, but he just managed to maintain his balance. Waves crashed against him, as though lending a helping hand to push him to shore, and he sighed with relief when he finally stepped out of the ocean.
He hurried up the rocks towards Jen, and then stood with his hands on his knees, gasping for breath. After a moment, he turned to face Jen’s grandmother, who stood further back, glaring at him vindictively. The fog had now thinned considerably, and he could see a cliff face behind her.
“What the hell is that thing?” he asked. “And what the hell did you think you were doing, you crazy bitch? I’m going to call the police.”
Lillian smiled sardonically. She raised a spindly arm and pointed out to sea. “I don’t think you will,” she said. “The sea still needs its sacrifice.”
Jack turned and looked where she indicated. In the swell of the waves, he could see the creature’s head, its eyes peering back at him. Next minute, the creature swam towards the rocky shore. Jack crouched down, picked up a rock and threw it at the creature, surprising himself with his good aim when the rock struck it on the head. He felt a sense of satisfaction, but the creature seemed unfazed.
Knowing that he was safe where he was, he spat out to sea. “Fuck off back to whatever rock you crawled out from under,” he said.
But as he watched, the creature drew closer and closer, then when it was feet from the shore, it raised itself out of the water and stood up on reptilian squat legs to reveal a thick, black body. The creature raked web-interlocked claws in the air, opened its mouth and made a high-pitched wailing sound, then it advanced.
Jack stared open mouthed. “Oh, shit,” he said.
Chapter 25
Bruce cupped his hands around his mouth. “Jack?” he shouted. At his side, Shazam barked. When his son didn’t reply, Bruce bit his lip and continued along the road. He slipped a hand into his pocket, fingering the wallet with the lucky charms. If ever there was a time he needed their aid, it was now.
With Duncan and Erin’s help, he had searched almost all the village, but there was no sign of Jack.
“He’s got to be somewhere,” Bruce said.
At his side, Erin nodded. “We will find him.”
Bruce hoped she was right. The thick bank of fog had started to thin out, but now the light was fading. A solitary streetlight had already come on, throwing a pale orange sheen across the road.
Bruce stopped and turned to face Duncan. “What about that old madwoman? You know, the one who grabbed Jack and marched him into the bar.” He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of her before.
Duncan scratched his nose. “You mean Lillian Brown? I suppose it’s worth a try.”
“At this point, I’d try anything.”
“Follow me,” Duncan said, turning tail and marching away.
Bruce and Erin followed with Shazam trotting alongside. Bruce looked down at the dog. “Some help you are. I thought dogs were meant to have a heightened sense of smell.”
Shazam looked up, and for a moment, Bruce thought there was sadness in the dog’s expression. “I’m sorry girl. I know you’d help if you could.”
Duncan led them away from the high street to a house overlooking the harbour. He stepped up to the door and rang the bell. When no one answered, he knocked.
“Doesn’t look as though anyone’s in,” he said.
Bruce stepped forward and started banging on the door. “Jack, are you in there?” he shouted.
Duncan grabbed his hand. “I don’t think that’ll do any good.”
Bruce exhaled slowly, turned away from the house and walked to the road where he leaned against the wall at the front of the property, trying to gather his thoughts. After a moment, he took his phone out and tried ringing Jack again, but the voicemail cut in straight away.
The sound of footsteps caught his attention, and he looked back down the road to see a slim girl with brown hair tied back in a ponytail running towards them.
“Mr. Roberts,” she wheezed, head bobbing up and down as she fought to catch her breath. “It’s… Jen and that… new boy…”
Duncan started towards the girl. “Sara, what is it—”
“What? What’s happened to them,” Bruce said, grabbing the girl by the shoulders before Duncan reached her.
Sara looked at him, her brown eyes wide with something he recognised as fear.
“Jen’s grandmother… she’s tied that new boy up. It’s… crazy. I think… she’s lost her marbles.”
“She’s what? Where are they?” Bruce demanded. He wanted to shake her, couldn’t believe what he heard.
“Calm down,” Duncan said, prizing Bruce’s hands from Sara’s shoulders.
“I need to find my son,” Bruce said, fighting to remain calm. He could feel his temples pound, could feel the throb of blood in the thick veins sticking out on his neck as he clenched his teeth.
“I understand,” Duncan said, “but terrorizing Sara isn’t going to help.”
“I’m not terrorizing her. I just need to know where Jack is.”
“They’re down by the cliffs past the cove,” Sara said.
“Then take me there,” Bruce said.
Sara looked at Bruce, her expression alarmed. “I… I…”
“It’s okay,” Erin said to Sara. “We’re here with you now.” She smiled.
Bruce nodded encouragement. “Please. If they’re in trouble, then I need to find them.”
Sara closed her eyes and nodded.
“Then let’s go,” Bruce said.
Sara lead the way, but Bruce could tell by the way she walked that her heart wasn’t in it. She had seen something or experienced something that she obviously didn’t want to repeat.
They followed the main road out of the village, past the small beach, and continued further along the coast. The road went up an incline so they now had a view of the sea to their left. The fog had virtually dispersed, but darkness had fallen, bringing with it a mantle of stars and a gibbous moon. If anything had happened to Jack, he would never forgive himself for dragging his son away from the city.
A scream pierced the silence, chilling Bruce to the core. “What the hell was that?” he cried.
“It sounded like Jen,” Sara said.
Before anyone could say anything else, Bruce started to run. Shazam ran alongside, her hackles up like a cat. Whatever was wrong, she sensed it too.
On one side of the road there were fields bordered by a low hedge. On the other, there was a drop to the sea, which he could hear crashing into the rocks far below.
The scream rang out again, louder and more insistent. With it came a shout for help that Bruce recognised as his son, spurring him to run faster.