Page 80 of Fighting Salvation

Reaper jogged back as a second explosion lit the night around them, that one much closer than the last. He could see the area where the house stood was now burning. He regretted not getting more information but if there was anything to find digitally, Watchdog would do it.

“Watchdog?”

Reaper grimaced. “Alive and walking.”

Bás heard what he wasn’t saying and wished he could go back and kill Hansen all over again.

The water lapped at him as he moved slowly until he was neck deep and treading water.

“We need to swim out as far as that rock over there and around the bend. There’s a boat with your favourite dog handler on board waiting for you.”

Bás focused on that as they began the long swim. It was almost impossible to see and it made the journey that much more treacherous. His muscles were already aching, his body exhausted as he tried to breathe and move at the same time, every stroke causing his ribs to scream in pain. He’d be lucky to get out of this without a collapsed lung. Up ahead, Zack and Bein signalled something and threw a flare in the water.

“What’s wrong?”

He had no comms so was relying on Reaper to keep him abreast. “Two orcas have been spotted from the boat.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah, fuck. They’re the reason we don’t have to worry about the sharks. They’re killing them all.”

“Great and we’re out here looking like a fucking buffet.”

A wave went over his head and he coughed and spluttered and kicked his legs harder.

“Just keep going.”

They pushed on, Reaper all but carrying him or dragging him perhaps and then he felt a nudge under his fin as the boat came into view. It was still a way out but he could see her silhouette on the bow.

He jerked as he felt it again. “Reaper.”

“Yeah, I felt it too.” He turned slightly. “Jack, tell Val to get them in the water. We’ve got company back here.”

Bás’ chest tightened and his head swum but he knew what Reaper was saying. They wanted Scout and Monty in the water to defend them against the orca.

“No, it will kill Val if she loses those two.”

Reaper shook his head ignoring him. “It will kill her more to lose the man she loves.”

He could see Val on board as she got the dogs ready and his heart felt like it was breaking. He pushed himself harder as Bein shot another flare into the water. Monty was in the water now, with Scout following behind and he almost died when he saw Val lower herself from the boat.

“Nooo!”

He was moving so fast, the pain didn’t register and Reaper had to fight to keep up with him.

“Bás, she won’t move from the boat’s side but she needs to give them the orders.”

He saw the dogs look at her and she spoke with them and they paddled their way. He felt something swim underneath him as Monty went off to the side with Scout behind him. One of the orcas came out of the water not ten feet from him and twisted as it landed, causing a wave to rush over them all.

“Hurry.”

He could hear her voice now as Rafe stood on deck with a spear gun. They all knew it was illegal to kill an orca but they also knew he’d do it to save them.

Jack made it to the boat and was soon helping Santa, Hustle, and Brand onto the deck. Hurricane was also there, hauling them up bodily like they weighed nothing. The orca dove again and came up closer. He went under the water, getting separated from Reaper. He came up ten feet away and gulped in air as the curved black fin swam around him. He trod water as he tried to get oxygen into his lungs but he was losing the fight against the current the orcas were making and he kept going under, his body exhausted. A shout behind him went over his head but he couldn’t turn, he was too busy watching the predator. He felt a soft nose at his neck and turned to see Monty licking his face before he gripped onto the hood of his wet suit and pulled. Bás flew back as Scout joined them and they began towing him to the boat. About five feet out he felt two pairs of arms grab him, and with a groan, he was handed off to Hurricane who dragged him up the side of the boat.

“Got ya.”

“Val, Valentina,” he screamed and a light hand was on him, her beautiful face in front of him and he passed out.