Deluge: The Conqueror Worms II

CHAPTER 58

When Gail awoke again, she panicked, convinced that the monster had her in its clutches once more. She sat up, gasping for breath and glancing around. Novak smiled at her.

“It’s okay,” he said. “You’re okay. Must have been one hell of a nightmare.”

“I don’t remember. Was I dreaming?”

“You were talking in your sleep. I assumed you must have been dreaming.”

“I thought…” Gail yawned. “Never mind. I don’t want to think about it. What time is it?”

Novak shrugged. “Who knows? Your guess is as good as mine. That bothers me sometimes—not knowing. Like the dates. I wish we’d kept track of days on a calendar. I’d like to know what day it is. Hate to think we’ll miss Christmas or Halloween, and never know it.”

“You seem like you’re feeling better.”

“I am. How about you?”

“I’m okay. Hungry. I could go for some more rat.” Gail paused. “God, I can’t believe I just said that.”

“I can,” Novak replied. “That rat was fucking tasty.”

She grinned. “Tastes like chicken?”

“Hell, no. It tasted like a rat. But it was better than nothing.”

“Where’s Simon and McCann?”

Novak pointed. “Out front. Surprisingly, the boat is still there. That thing last night didn’t destroy it. But the tentacles bashed a few holes in it. McCann is patching it up now. Making sure it’ll stay afloat. Simon is standing guard while he does.”

“He’s a handy guy to have around,” Gail said. “Do you trust him?”

“After what happened when we went to the island… fish… whatever the hell it was, I don’t trust anybody. They fucking abandoned us. But at this point, I don’t think we have a choice but to trust Simon. He saved us last night. That’s gotta count for something.”

“He could have been saving himself.”

“I considered that,” Novak said, “but he could have just retreated deeper into the building. He didn’t. He was the first one to run forward. He was trying to pull you free before McCann and I even got moving. I think he—”

The conversation ended abruptly as Simon and McCann entered the room. Simon smiled at Gail when he saw that she was awake. He knelt beside her.

“I’d like to examine your ankle, if that’s okay?”

“Sure.” She nodded.

Simon gently pulled her pants leg up and stared intently at the bruises the tentacle had left behind. His expression was neutral, but Gail got the impression that he was concerned.

“Are you experiencing any dizziness?” Simon asked. “Hearing voices other than your own? Or suffering from extreme thirst?”

“No. Why? What do you think I have, Simon? What aren’t you telling me? You didn’t touch the monster last night. You used your suit coat. What’s going on?”

He smiled again. “Nothing is going on. That’s the good news. I was worried that you might have contracted the White Fuzz after last night’s attack, but if you had, you’d be showing signs of infection by now.”

“Is that how it spreads?” Novak asked. “By touching these things?”

“I’m not sure how it is transmitted,” Simon admitted. “I don’t think anyone else is, either. The two biggest theories are that it was spread by the worms or by the rain. But nobody – at least nobody I’ve encountered – knows for certain. In any case, the good news is that Gail doesn’t have it.”

McCann cleared his throat. “The other good news is that the boat is seaworthy. I vote we get the hell out of here. I was all for staying. It’s semi-dry and beats the hell out of floating around out there, but after last night…”

“I agree,” Novak said. “Sooner we leave, the quicker we can get to this doorway. Gail?”

Grunting, she got to her feet and nodded. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”