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Chapter Twenty-Three
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Dark Water Chapter Twenty-Four
"Why the hell is he lettin' pigs on board anyway?" The low voice was acidic. Much like its' owner. His glazed eyes scanned the deck to make sure no one was in earshot who shouldn't be. He couldn't risk being overheard, even about a topic that most everyone agreed upon. Nowadays the desire to stab someone in the deck was higher than ever. "Ain't my place to try and figure out what Hemlock is thinkin'," his companion muttered, sweeping the access water back into the cesspool of the sea. "Must 'ave some reason. And who bloody cares?" The man grimaced, filthy water splashing his filthy trousers. "He'd 'ave gutted him in the beginning." "If you're hinting that he's gone soft, then don't." The other looked up sharply, narrowing his eyes dangerously, the receded orbs glistening like slivers of glass. "This might be what we need. If Hemlock don't figure somethin' out, we've got a few ideas. Even if they don't work. It'll ease the strain." The pair fell silent, looking across the deck
Dark Water Chapter Twenty-Five
The morning slipped in afternoon, the sun proud in the sky and radiating heat. The crew slackened their pace and work stilled for a while as they sought whatever shelter they could from the angry heat.Lloyd felt his legs buckle, collapsing in a heap in the shadow of the mast, sweat pouring from him. Every muscle in his body throbbed painfully, his hands red and chafed. They certainly never pictured this in the movies.He wasn't too sure why he was thinking of movies. Probably due to missing the couch, the TV and his collections of DVDs, his refuge after a hard day. Any break from reality would be savoured right now, even the lousiest of movies.'I wonder what Thomas or Nathaniel would think of them,' he thought to himself, trying to take his mind from his pains. 'They'd probably both find fault, especially if it's an era they know. Thomas would be more fun though; I don't think he'd be so astringent.'In the distance, the shape of an island glowed on the horizon. It was not the des
Dark Water Chapter Twenty-Six
A harrowing scream echoed across the quiet ship.Lloyd's heart leapt into his throat, the broom falling from his hands. And he wasn't the only one, all of the crew ceased their work to turn in the direction of the cry.Smithy writhed and pulled against the ropes that bound him to the mast, cutting into his torso and wrists, leaving chafed, bloody rings on the latter. Foam bubbled from his mouth and his eyes bulged so far, those nearest feared he would lose them. They were stained red, where vessels had burst under strain and moist with pained and fearful tears."They're everywhere!" He screamed, the veins in his neck pulsating beside the throbbing Adam's apple. "Below the waves! In the sky! You have to kill them! The dead! The damned!" He threw his head back, slamming the back on his skull against the mask. "There ain't no Hell! This is Hell! Drowning in misery! Toys of the infernal!" Gibson moved across, muttering something urgently, but whatever words were uttered, they fell on de
Dark Water Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lloyd was tired as he sat in the chair and stared up and the blacken ceiling. He tossed his arm over his forehead as he stayed awake. Sleep seemed to be running away from him.Slowly, he sat and drew his legs up and wrapped his arms around his knees, resting his chin on them. He didn't know why, but he felt if he were to fall asleep. Something would make sure he didn't open his eyes again."Get on with it," he muttered to himself and reached for the dusty book nearest him. "Maybe it'll keep you awake. Or scare you more so that sleep eludes better."His hand hovered over the bronze clasp of the drawer as he pulled the book to him. He knew Nathaniel would be livid if he pried into his papers...but that was a small risk if these pages yielded nothing.Still. This time, new information danced before him. Rather like a good novel, he saw different things. The words were blurred as if water had made the ink run. A high possibility when all was considered.'...a mighty Great President of He
Dark Water Chapter Twenty Eight
Nathaniel sat in stony silence, trying to ignore Lloyd who was moving about plucking the books from the shelves and replacing them.He wasn't about to reveal what he was thinking. The frost that had settled in the room made any attempt at conversation or interaction awkward.And his stinging cheek only added to it.'Land ahoy!'The voice from above rang down through the room and Nathaniel finally glanced up, grabbing the bottle near him."Smooth sailing." He muttered, draining the tepid liquor and slamming the bottle back down. "Whether that bodes well for the rest of the journey is debatable.""You've been here before, at least that's a benefit." Lloyd clutched a book to his chest, his heart was palpitating. Nerves rushed through him, feelings of both unease and excitement. As a child, he'd wanted to see lands abroad. Africa, Asia...a fantastic storm of culture and beauty. But this was different. And as a child, he was blind to danger and to the ugliness that made that gorgeous tap
Dark Water Chapter Twenty-Nine
Lloyd lay where he was for a while. His eyes closed and his focus was solely on the soft sway of the ship. If he tried hard enough he could imagine himself swinging on the hammock in the garden on one of those lazy summer days that were few and far between.Normally he would be rudely disturbed by the cat next door. Jumping on him with a sly look in its eyes and a smug expression.Now he was disturbed by the general hubbub from above. The sound of dragging ropes and muffled shouts."I guess I ought to go up," Lloyd mumbled. "They don't like me as it is. If I start looking idling then they'll like me even less. And I don't think they'll be like the kids at school and just make digs at me."He wasn't expecting to be struck dumb by the sight that greeted him as he came to the deck. It was like he had stepped back in time. To the golden age of the sail and the time when the world was in its infancy discovering new countries.The island looked broody, like the illustrations in his books or
Dark Water Chapter Thirty
Lloyd spent the remainder of the daylight hours observing the work done on deck. Ropes and brooms were all well and good but he wasn't about to spend his time just doing the mundane tasks.Although, as he watched someone mount the mast, he made a vow never to do that. Heights didn't bother him, but it would never happen without a foothold or anything to fasten him.One slip and he could break every bone in his body. And he did not doubt that it had occurred more than once before his arrival.The air grew cooler as night drew in and the crew grew slower. Their desperation to leave the ship was evident. Blake was first to leave. The gangplank had barely touched the sands and he was gone, calling back that he would keep an eye out for anything.Nathaniel rolled his eyes. He had already organised two parties to scout things. And Blake hasn't in either. He'd been having doubts about the man for years, even before this. He had become colder and the vehement dereliction of duty had become w
Dark Water Chapter Thirty-One
My darkness is the chain that binds youMy seduction is the mist that hides you.Mortality and death combineAnd we will come to thee and thine.Nathaniel was silent as they made their way across the barren ground, interspersed by flurries of lush green and copses of trees that had once been mighty forests. There was still quite a lot of green; to most people, the woods would be large. But by the standards of old, they were small and a lot of the ancient trees were long gone to firewood.Even though it was vastly different, the memories still lingered and clawed at him as he moved.Lloyd watched his step carefully. Ivy weaved over and among the exposed roots, like snakes squeezing the life from them and making a hazard for anyone who walked there. The shadows seemed to loom in, fearing the rays of the sun but making him feel as if they were trying to box him in. As if they were alive and envious of his ability to love the daylight."It's so warm here, yet I'm cold," Lloyd said aloud,
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