Death From Below

Chapter 27

I couldn't help the shiver that slowly ran up my spine like a hand as I look around at our surroundings. I grab my bag and slowly make my way towards the little dock where the boat was tied and toss my bag onto it before slowly stepping into it. I take a seat and wait for the others to join me before setting off into the night. Garrett and Tristan take seats around me while Dante unties the boat, and we all grab the paddles. I choose not to start the motor that way; the noise level doesn't draw the attention of those things.

We were slowly rowing when Garrett stops paddling and turns his attention to the water, completely freezing. My chest starts to tighten, and I can slowly feel fear fill me up fully as my body starts to get the cold feeling again. A quick movement to my right causes me to jerk my attention in that direction when we hear a splash to our left. I see what appears to be a mermaid tail and gasp as it splashes out of the water once again. Garrett turns and points out a little distance away in the direction we are heading to show us a fin peeking out of the water.

I pull the paddles into the boat and lay them down at our feet, and let the water slowly float us along. I try to stay as still as I can while they swim around in the water beneath us. Now and then, we would feel a bump against the boat, and I would gasp each time it happened. The later it got, the more tired I got and laid down on the bottom. I curled up and slowly drift off to sleep with the rhythm of the water.

I wake up to the sun shining down on me and slowly sit up as I look around. Tristan and Garrett are talking to each other, and I slowly scoot up onto the seat. "Can we please get a yacht next time?" I ask, and they both chuckle. "How long have we been on this boat? Are we close to our location?" I ask them. Tristan tells me it has been about twelve hours now and that we should be there soon. Sighing, I look around at the scenery. It was pretty, with a symphony of birds chirping and the crickets chiming in for the chorus.

After rowing for another hour and a half, we made it to an old wooden dock. The dock looks old as I tie up the boat. We grab our bags and step off to head over to a dirt pathway that is supposed to lead to the house. I keep my weapon ready and, in my hand, while we quietly walk down the path. I stay quiet and walk alongside Tristan and Garrett while I place one hand over my baby bump.

"I can't believe you have been through all of this and while pregnant," Garrett whispers over to me. I smile at him and glance around to be sure none of them heard him. I continue walking without saying a word while they whisper to each other now and again. My legs are starting to get tired from walking when we all notice an old, rusted fence and gate. I walk up to it when a man walks out the front door of the haunted-looking shack a few feet from the gate.

"Can I help you, young lady?" he asks me as he takes a couple of steps forward while looking around. "Yes, you can. My father sent me to speak with you about what has been happening." I tell him as realization dawns on him. "You must be Harper. I have been hoping you would arrive," he says as he opens the gate. Surprisingly it doesn't make a sound as he lets us in and closes it back up to lead us into his house. Upon entering through the front door, I can tell something isn't right about this place.

"My name is Eddie. Your dad called me, letting me know he was sending you. I wasn't expecting the three fellas you brought, though," he says as he glances at me, then at them. I take a step closer to Garrett, and his eyes fall on my stomach, "Mam, are you pregnant?" he asks in astonishment. I slowly nod my head and place my hand protectively on my stomach. He lets out a sigh and mumbles something under his breath before turning and walking over to a chair. I take a small step back, not feeling comfortable around him even more than before.

"I have been informed that you may know what is going on and maybe have a cure for it?" I ask him, and he sighs, leaning back on his seat. He keeps glancing at Dante, Garrett and Josh and mumbles about something. I try to strain my ears to hear what he is saying. Garrett turns and begins to look around the room before I notice he goes tense. I turn to see him staring at me before I ask the question a second time.

Garrett slowly walks in front of me and stares at the man, "Sir, can you please give us the information so we can be on our way? We have a whole group that is also helping keep a lookout around the property and would like to let them know about what is going on." Garrett lies to him, and his whole relaxed tone flips. The man suddenly jumps to his feet and rushes past us to the window, "What are you doing, mister?" Garrett asks as we watch him run to each window. "Sir, is something wrong?" Garrett asks a second time as he pulls me behind him. The man then turns to us while letting out a roar of anger while grabbing at his hair and glaring at us as if we caused him harm.