Desolate The Complete Trilogy

Sixteen



Howard thought he’d been ready. But the van had filled so quickly, the impact had been so sudden. His head hurt. Did he hit it on something? He fumbled for the seat belt release but couldn’t seem to make his fingers work. He remembered Emily and turned to her, to make sure she got her belt off, but she wasn’t there. None of them were. The van was empty. He was alone. He tugged at the belt, pushed the button again and again. His lungs burned for air. Salt water stung his eyes. Darkness.





Seventeen



One breath. That’s all it would take. It would hurt as water rushed into his lungs, but only for a second, really. No more running, no more suffering. He kept tugging at the seat belt, still unable to make it work and not understanding why. The van stopped moving as the last of the air bubbles escaped through the windows and ascended to the surface. He must be at the bottom of the harbor.

Movement in the murky darkness. A pair of hands groped him. Suddenly the pressure of the seat belt lessened and he was being pulled from the van. Soo. Even in the depths of the harbor he could make out her long dark hair swirling over her face. Her eyes, filled with terror, pierced the murky water as she pulled him close then kicked, pulling him upward.

Kick. Fight. Don’t take that last breath.

The pressure in his ears lessened and the murky darkness cleared. Howard exhaled a second before surfacing and sucked in a deep breath of air. Water burned inside his chest and he coughed. Soo didn’t lessen her grip.

“Howard! Are you okay?” she screamed into his ear. She didn’t even seem out of breath.

He didn’t answer, just continued breathing and coughing but he managed a smile at her. She threw her arms around him and squeezed, causing both of them to go under for a second. Howard coughed again and she laughed, apologizing for almost drowning him.

Dave treaded water ten feet away. Emily had both arms around his neck and dared to let go with one for a quick wave to Howard.

“Come on,” Soo said. “We have to get to the boat. Can you swim?”

Howard nodded and started swimming for the yacht. They approached the rear of the boat and pulled themselves up onto the swim platform. Everyone sat for a moment to catch their breath and to take in the view of the dock. Every square inch appeared to be filled with the creatures. The hunters sat and stared, patiently waiting to see if their prey would return to shore.

Dave slowly stood up. “Come on. Let’s see if we can get this thing under way.” They searched the yacht – an 84-foot Azimut. Very luxurious, very Italian, and very expensive. As Soo suspected, the ship’s tender, a rigid-hulled inflatable boat, was missing. The passengers and crew had gone ashore at one point and never returned. They were relieved to find no bodies in any area of the boat.

Soo sat down at the controls, feeling less than confident as the others watched over her shoulder. Her uncle’s salmon boat was old and analog, nothing but the basics. What she sat in front of now looked like the cockpit of a space shuttle; she wasn’t even sure how to start the engines. But even though it had cost millions, it was still just a boat.

“I’ll figure it out,” she said. “I just need some time.”

Howard, Dave, and Emily left her alone and explored the rest of the yacht. They had lost the meager rations and supplies they had taken from the hotel, but it didn’t matter. The ship’s galley had been recently stocked and there was plenty to eat and drink. The perishable food had long passed but there was enough dry and canned goods, drinks, and water to last for at least a week. All three decks were beautifully appointed, the four sleeping cabins cozy and comfortable.

“Tell you what,” Dave said as he stood out on the sundeck, “we have a knack for finding some pretty nice places to crash. First the resort, and now this little dingy.” He opened the wet bar minifridge and studied the label on a bottle of champagne inside. “At this rate, I’m gonna get spoiled.”

“You’re telling me,” Howard said. “Don’t forget where I was living the past few months, before all this.”

A low rumble emerged from the bowels of the yacht as the engines started. A plum of light blue smoke floated up from the stern, and a muffled victory cry, courtesy of Soo, was heard from below. They rushed down to find her smiling behind the wheel.

“Piece of cake.” She grinned. “She’s almost full on fuel and water and the GPS signal is loud and clear.”

“Yeah,” Howard mused. “I suppose those satellites will be zipping around up there for years to come. At least some sort of technology was spared from what happened down here.”

Soo found the anchor controls and retracted it from the harbor floor. She engaged the propellers and slowly increased power. Within just a few minutes they left the infested city behind as they cleared the mouth of the harbor.

Dave placed his hand on Soo’s shoulder. “Good job, girl. Fishin’ didn’t help land you a husband, but you sure saved our hides.”

She put her hand on his and squeezed. “Don’t forget your driving back there. If I had stayed at the wheel, we’d be goners.”

Dave’s smile faded and he looked out the window. “Do me a favor and head a few miles up the coast to the west, would ya? I just need a little breathing room from the city and I’ll be saying my goodbyes.”

“Goodbyes?” Howard’s jaw dropped. “What are you talking about?”

“You guys don’t need me anymore. You’re in good hands here.” He nodded at Soo. “I’m staying on dry land.”

“But why?”

“Let’s just say I made a promise a while back. And I never go back on my word. I still have some unfinished business here.”

“Don’t you wanna go to ’Merica?” Emily asked.

Dave squatted down and put his hands around her waist. “Maybe someday, hon. Maybe never. Just promise me you’ll look after these two. Okay? I’m making you honorary squad leader so don’t be afraid to kick a little ass.”

Emily giggled.

Howard and Soo stared at him. “Christ, stop acting like this is my funeral. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry. Believe it or not I’ve been in some shit even worse than this.”

Soo rose from the chair and hugged him. “You’re a terrible liar. And I think you’re making a mistake.” He hugged her back and just nodded.

She increased speed to twenty knots and headed north for a mile before turning west. With any luck, most of the creatures watching the yacht had lost interest and moved on as it went out to sea. They sailed up the coast for eight miles to the small town of Sandy Bay. Dave carefully studied the town though binoculars as they slowly drew closer to shore and saw no movement at all. It was as good a as place as any. He hoped he’d be able to scrounge up some supplies and a vehicle.

Soo brought the yacht as close as forty yards off the beach before she had to stop so it wouldn’t hit bottom. They walked Dave down to the swim platform. He put a knife he had taken from the galley, wrapped in a dishtowel, and tucked it into his pocket. It was just a six-inch utility knife, but like everything else on the yacht, it was top of the line and razor sharp. He took comfort in knowing that if he couldn’t find anything useful in Sandy Bay, he’d at least have a decent knife. Something a marine should always carry.

Howard offered his hand and Dave pulled him in for a hug. “Take care of these girls.” He patted him on the back.

“I will. You take care of yourself.”

He hugged Soo and Emily and jumped off the platform. They watched as he swam to shore, gave them a final wave from the beach, and scrambled up to the road.

“Come on,” Howard said. “Let’s go home.”