Free Slipway Grey: A Deep Sea Thriller by Dane Hatchell, Mark C. Scioneaux Page B

pain.
    “Time to eat, Grey,” she said. The shark made its move.
    With a mighty tug, it pulled Chet under. The boy’s mouth filled with water as he screamed. Bubbles rose rapidly, breaking on the surface. Larger ones followed, and Mandy knew they were precious air bubbles. She peered over the surface, trying to see the carnage, but she couldn’t in the darkness.
    Chet leapt from the water, as if propelled. He landed halfway on the side of the boat, and Mandy screamed. Blood gushed from his mouth and all the color had left his face. He raised an arm toward her, weakly, as if begging for one last chance. Before she could do anything, he was pulled back under.
    He didn’t resurface again.
    “I swear, Grey. You did that on purpose.” She flicked the water with her fingers. The large fin broke the surface as the beast allowed itself to be stroked, and then disappeared back into the deep. “One day, I’m going to get some scuba gear and check out where you stay. One day.”
    She hopped out of the boat and turned the light on. Blood smeared the side and floor of the boat, and she collected a rag and jumped back in. The seawater was adequate enough to remove the stain. At least there were no body parts on the deck. She checked the water, making sure pieces of Chet hadn’t bobbed to the surface. She’d have to check again in the morning, as Grey was good, but sometimes he got a bit sloppy with his eating.
    She cut the light out and shut the door to the boathouse. What to say about Chet? Mandy asked herself as she made her way back to the house. Sometimes the easiest thing would be to tell the truth. She had time for that and wasn’t ready to divulge any secrets. The new day would begin soon enough.
    New day, more fun.
    She stopped and turned, heading back to the dock to look out over the water. She heard a splash and knew Grey was swimming around somewhere. Visions of her predator stepdad being pulled under and her mom snapping in half by the voracious jaws of her savior flashed. Her own personal God. The urge to feed him again was strong, and she felt the connection they shared, like electricity popping in the air. A link between her sophisticated mind and the creature’s primal brain.
    Tomorrow, you’ll get your fill.
    She walked to the beach house, her eyes already welling with tears as she rehearsed the story of Chet leaving her for good. Loss could be so painful sometimes.

Chapter 13
     
    Mandy sat at the kitchen table with a mound of wadded tissue piled high. The table was large enough to seat 12 and was empty, save for a large bowl of fresh fruit. Apples, oranges, grapefruits, and bananas had been tastefully arranged, making the display look too pretty to eat. She rolled a banana back and forth in her hands, convincing herself to eat something, but the urge faded every time she considered bending the peel.
    Feet pounding the stairs alerted that the solitude would soon end. Two pairs of pasty white legs followed by a long set of black ones entered her view. Glenn, Luke, and Desmond arrived and hovered over their heartbroken friend. She produced fresh tears upon their arrival.
    Mandy raised her head. Her nose glowed red, and her eyes were puffy from crying.
    “Damn, Mandy. You look worse than I feel.” Glenn winced as he spoke.
    “Cut it out, Glenn. Can’t you see she’s upset?” Luke made a weak attempt to lay his hand on her bare shoulder but stopped just short of touching her.
    “I take it you and Chet had some words,” Desmond said.
    “Yes.” Mandy struggled to speak.
    “Where is he? He has to face me now. I don’t think I’m going to be the one doing the crying when it’s over.” Desmond spoke devoid of emotion. His eyes scanned the room, as if expecting Chet to appear at any moment.
    “We had a fight. I pressed him real hard, and he confessed. He told me about the others. All the others he’s been with since we’ve been dating. Did you know he fucked some other girl the day of my parents’