By John de Sousa
Lyle bit his lip, heart pounding as he scanned the waters for any sign of police boats or security. This trip was a stupid idea. Why had he even agreed to return? He knew the dangers.
Flustered, he ripped the sunglasses from his face and rubbed his burning eyes. Foolish sentiment had clouded his better judgment. He’d vowed he’d never let that happen, but his heart had taken him by surprise when Devin invited him.
The lush, massive island towered out of the waters. Lyle’s deepest dreams had been birthed in its sunsets, him sitting on the beach with Alana, fingers entwined. He’d endured his darkest nightmare here as well, when they’d tried to get away. Now he was back, and she was gone.
The water seemed empty, except for the pole-mounted signs dotting the bay.
Private Island.
No Trespassing.
Swimming and Fishing Prohibited.
Waves rocked the motorboat as Devin cast a line. His cousin shot him a dark glance. “What’s wrong, choirboy? Aren’t you gonna throw some bait? The fish ain’t gonna jump in the boat to get it, ya know.”
“I can’t believe you, Devin.” Lyle shook his head. “You’ve only been out of jail two weeks and you’re already looking to get busted.”
“Hey, they might own the island, but they don’t own the water. I can do whatever I want out here.” He spat in the bay. “If you don’t like my company, you should’ve stayed home.”
Lyle rubbed the back of his neck and turned away. Devin was right about the last part, at least. Lyle didn’t like his company, and yeah, he probably should have stayed home. But…
Maybe things have changed.
The volcanic atoll glistened like an emerald. This had been his home for his first seventeen years. It’d been almost three years since he’d left, and his memories were calling him. Begging him. At least the sweet ones were.
Before the animals. Before those dark machines.
His gut twinged. I’m so sorry, Alana.
“Hey! Choirboy!” Devin tossed his phone at Lyle’s face. Lyle caught it with one hand. “If you’re not gonna fish, take a selfie of me.”
“It’s not a selfie unless you take it yourself,” Lyle said. “And don’t call me that.”
Devin rolled his eyes. “Whatever, CB. Just take the picture. Make sure you get the sign in the background.”
“Fine.” Lyle brought up the camera as the boat rocked beneath him. The bay’s salty smell brought back some of his… less treasured island memories. The day of his escape. The howling pack of pursuers.
The fatal swim.
A massive thud against the hull jerked Lyle back to reality.
Devin cursed, eyes wide. “What in the world was that?”
Lyle caught a glint of silver in the waves just off the port side. It sped toward the boat, then disappeared. He squinted as his throat tightened.
“Devin…”
The fish burst from the water and snatched Devin’s rod from his hand. Both fish and pole plunged beneath the waves, pulling a gasp from Devin.
“It took my rod!” Devin kicked the cooler and spewed his anger. “I can’t believe it took my rod!”
Another hard thud nearly knocked them off balance. A high-pitched grinding kicked against the bottom of the boat, shaking the entire craft.
“CT-35,” Lyle murmured. “This could get ugly quick.”
Devin stared at him. “What are you talkin’ about?”
“Chain Tooth, model 35—or, even worse, an upgrade.” Lyle studied the waves. “Start the motor. Keep your eyes peeled. Be ready to duck.”
To the left, another glint of silver raced just below the surface, two others close behind.
Lyle caught his breath, then pointed at them. “Incoming!” He narrowed his gaze at Devin. “I said to start the motor!”
Devin nodded frantically and had just begun to turn when the lead fish broke the surface. It soared over the left side of the boat and smashed into the inner right wall with a metallic clang. Devin yelped as it flopped on the floor, its razor-toothed mouth snapping furiously.
The fish righted itself with its pectoral fins and locked its gaze on Devin. Its mouth hung open, baring a row of knife-edged teeth in both jaws.
“Lyle?” Devin’s voice trembled.
A motorized whine switched on and the toothy rows spun like blades on a chainsaw. Lyle knew all too well what it could do to human flesh. He could almost still hear Alana’s garbled screams beneath the waves. His best efforts had been unable to save her, his frantic commands too muffled underwater to shut down the killing machine. The old familiar terror stirred.
No! Lyle’s thoughts pushed back. Today they were topside. This fight could be different.
“Don’t move, Devin!” Lyle carefully brought his right hand down behind the fish, then grabbed it by the tail and jerked it upward. He struggled for balance as the mechanized monster twisted furiously, snapping its jaws.
As Lyle brought his left hand over for better grip, the CT-35 bent back at a steep angle. Its mouth latched on to his arm. Lyle let go of the tail, and grabbed his attacker’s jaws, squeezing them tightly to lock up the chain. The motor whined, then jammed, its pitch cycling higher.
“Security code 93-B!” Lyle shouted at the fish. “Power down! Friendly, I repeat, friendly!”
The fish stopped cold, its jaws limp. The code was good! This time it’d worked! Lyle breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s ov—”
Devin’s paddle slammed into the creature, tearing it free and ripping a long, ugly gash in Lyle’s forearm. A new glint of silver, even wider, appeared between the edges of the laceration.
Devin gaped as he stared at the exposed circuits and machinery. His knees buckled. “What are you?”
“A friend. A cousin.” Lyle squeezed the self-repairing edges of his wound together and licked it to form an invisible seal.
Devin sputtered. “But… but…”
“And you are…” Lyle sighed, “alive.” He gave a parting glance at the island. “Let’s go home, Devin.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Loved it! Can’t wait for the book to read more.
Thank you, Missy! 😊
I was pulled into the story almost immediately. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely left me wanting more.
Thank you, Sharon! 😊
Great twist at the end! I also caught the significance of the title when I reread it. Well done!
Thanks so much, Arlan!
Whoa, I didn’t expect that twist! So cool!
Thank you, Emily! I’m glad it turned so well. 😊🙂
Family secrets get interesting, eh??
LOL!! Oooh, those family secrets when they come creeping out! 😄😊