Fangtooth

by Shaun Jeffrey

  “They’ll only tell me to wait twenty-four hours or whatever it is before reporting anything.”

  “But at least you’ll have let them know; and with the break in, they might take it more seriously,” Erin said.

  Bruce nodded and made the call. As he suspected, they said he’d have to wait twenty-four hours before they could do anything for Jack, but when he reported the break in, they said they would send someone around to investigate. He disconnected the call.

  “Right then, let’s go find your son,” Duncan said, striding around from the counter.

  “You’re going to help?” Bruce said.

  “Of course. I know the area better than you do. Perhaps he’s just wandered off. I’m sure we’ll find him.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  Duncan smiled to offer encouragement. “By the looks of the weather, I’ll be needing my coat.” He grabbed a seemingly damp jacket from the wall at the side of the counter, and then ushered them out of the shop. He turned the sign to ‘closed’, locked the door, and then turned to face them. “We should start down at the harbour. That’s where most kids like to hang out.”

  Bruce looked across the road. Normally the harbour would be visible, but the fog was too thick to see anything. He could hear the faint clink of metal and the soft creak of wood from that direction.

  “Shutting up early, Duncan?” said a stout girl with buck teeth who was standing in the doorway of the cafe. “Can’t say I blame you. Not much business in this weather. I’d shut up too, but you know mother, she wants me working here all hours no matter what.”

  “Hi Samantha. No, we’re looking for someone. Bruce here, well his son’s gone missing.”

  Samantha visibly blanched. “New boy, moved into the old Johnson place?”

  Duncan nodded.

  “I knew it,” she gushed. “I told him, said to him only the other day that place was bad news.”

  “Have you seen him today?” Bruce asked.

  The girl nodded. “He was in earlier. Warned him I did. Least I could do.”

  “Do you know where he went?” Bruce asked.

  Samantha shook her head.

  “Well if you see him, get him to call his dad. Come on, let’s go,” Duncan said, striding away.

  Bruce and Erin followed. When they reached the other side of the road, Bruce shouted Jack’s name, but as he’d feared, there was no reply.

  “Let’s ask at the bar,” Duncan suggested, already striding away before Bruce could reply.

  As Bruce was about to follow, Erin grabbed his hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll find him,” she said, squeezing gently.

  He found her touch comforting. Any other time, he would want to maintain the contact for as long as possible, but with today’s events uppermost in his thoughts, he broke the contact, forced a feeble smile and said, “I hope so.”

  Erin nodded and they started across the road after Duncan, who was already becoming indistinct in the fog.

  Bruce and Erin caught up to Duncan outside the bar, where he was talking to a cute teenage girl with short blonde hair who stood with her arms folded across her chest to keep warm.

  “So you haven’t seen him?” Duncan said.

  The girl shook her head. She looked at Bruce and Erin, then down at Shazam.

  “Didn’t I see you talking to Jack the other day, by the harbour?” Bruce asked.

  The girl nodded. “Yeah, I was with my friends.” She stroked Shazam’s head.

  “And have you seen him since?”

  The girl shook her head again. “Sorry. No.”

  Bruce let out a loud breath. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something in the way the girl looked at him suggested she was lying. “Well, if you do see him, please tell him to contact me. It’s urgent.”

  “Why, what’s the matter?” she asked.

  “I’m just worried something has happened to him. He’s gone missing.” Shazam whined as though in sympathy.

  The girls left eye twitched slightly. “If I see him, I’ll be sure to let him know you’re looking for him. Anyway, I have to go.”

  Bruce watched her walk quickly away, and any thought he had of following her was lost when she disappeared into the fog.

  Jen looked over her shoulder and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw only shadows and fog at her rear. She had never been very good at lying. She hadn’t done anything wrong, but she couldn’t get the thought out of her head that perhaps Rocky had been involved, so the less she said, the better.

  She knew she didn’t love Rocky, but she still didn’t want to see him get into trouble, especially if he wasn’t involved. It did seem a little bit too much of a coincidence that Jack had disappeared after arguing with her boyfriend. She knew Rocky was hot-headed, but she couldn’t believe he’d had anything to do with it. But what if he had? What if Jack was lying in a ditch somewhere? She would never forgive herself.

  Unnerved by her thoughts, she headed towards Rocky’s house to have it out with him.

  The house where Rocky lived was on the outskirts of the village. Rocky’s father used to be a trawler man, but his career had been cut short, even before the present problems with quotas and lack of fish, when he lost an arm during an accident at sea. Not long after that, he walked out on the family. Whether it was out of some misguided sense of loyalty or just dumb choice, Rocky wanted to become a trawler man too. Didn’t even seem bothered that rowing boats made him feel seasick.

  Even though she could probably find her way around the village blindfolded, the fog was testing her to the limit. She almost walked into a lamppost, then stumbled into a dustbin, grazing her leg.

  Cursing under her breath, she rubbed her injury to alleviate the pain, and then continued on her way.

  When she reached Rocky’s house, she climbed the three steps, walked along the short path and rang the bell. The downstairs lights were on, creating indistinct blobs of luminescence in the haze.

  She stamped her feet and blew into her cupped hands while she waited. The fog was freezing, and she knew the dampness must have made her hair look like rats’ tails. She didn’t like people seeing her at anything less than her best, but now she had no choice.

  She rang the bell again, and knocked loudly. Moments later, she heard a voice shout, “I’m comin’,” and then Rocky opened the door. He stared at Jen for a moment as though he didn’t know who she was, then he nodded his head in greeting.

  “Jen, what are you doin’ here?”

  “Tell me you haven’t hurt him. Promise me, Rocky.”

  Rocky held his hands up. “Hey, what are you on about?”

  “Jack. That new guy in the village, he’s gone missing. Tell me you aren’t involved.”

  Rocky looked down at the ground. He shrugged. “He’s a twat. It’s nothing to do with me.”

  “Look at me,” she said.

  Rocky looked up, shoulders hunched, and shoved his hands in his jeans’ pockets.

  “Tell me the truth,” Jen said.

  “I’m telling you the truth. Anyway, it should be me questioning you.”

  Jen frowned.

  “The other night. I saw the two of you. He was outside your house. It was obvious he fancied you, and by the sounds of it, you were leading him on.”

  “Was not.”

  “That’s what it sounded like to me. I should have had it out with the cunt then.”

  “Had what out? We were only talking. It’s not a crime, you know.”

  Rocky grunted in response. “Whatever.”

  “Look, he came to see me. So what? Trouble is, now he’s gone missing.”

  “Great. Serves the prick right.”

  Jen bit her lip and scowled. “Just tell me you’re not involved.”

  “I’ve already told you. But so what if I was? You’re my girlfriend, not his. You’re not supposed to worry about other guys.”

  “That is so lame. I can be concerned about whoever I like. Now tell me, where is he?”

  “I’ve
told you, I don’t know.”

  “But you do know something.”

  “Yeah, and so do you.”

  “What are you on about now?”

  “You know, the drugs he stole from Zander. He told you about it, right?”

  The revelation hit Jen like a brick. Zander. But Zander didn’t know Jack had stolen his drugs, not unless …

  “My god, you didn’t tell him, did you?” she said.

  Rocky shrugged. “So what if I did.”

  “Zander’s a lunatic. He’d kill him.”

  “Save someone else the job then.”

  “Rocky, how could you?”

  “It was only what he deserved.”

  “You prick.”

  “You can’t talk to me like that.”

  “I just did. And as far as I’m concerned, we’re through.”

  “Fine. I prefer a girl who’ll put out anyway, not a frigid bitch like you.”

  Jen fought to control her temper. She had more important matters to deal with now. How could she tell Jack’s dad what she knew without getting Jack into more trouble? Talk about being stuck in a difficult situation.

  Without another word to Rocky, she spun and started walking away.

  “If Zander hasn’t finished the creep, you can bet I’ll do the job properly,” Rocky said before he slammed the door shut.

  Jen shivered, and made her way quickly towards the harbour. She only hoped she wasn’t too late.

  Chapter 23

  Although she searched around the harbour and looked in the bar, Jen couldn’t find Zander anywhere. His vessel was moored up, and she shouted out his name, but no one answered, and the boat looked deserted.

  It was hopeless trying to look by herself. Zander and Jack could be anywhere. She took out her mobile phone and called her best friend, Sara to help with the search.

  When Sara arrived, she was chomping bubble gum. “Hey, what’s up? Have you seen this weather? It’s thicker than custard,” she said as she jumped up on the harbour wall to sit next to Jen

  “Yes, it’s no wonder someone’s gone missing in this.”

  Sara blew a pink bubble and nodded. When the bubble popped, she dragged the gum back into her mouth with her tongue. “Yeah, he’s cute. ‘Bout time we had some decent talent around here.”

  “He’s all right.”

  “All right! I saw the way you looked at him. Eyes almost popped out of your head. You’d better not let Rocky see you looking at another guy like that.”

  “Rocky and me are finished.”

  Sara’s nose twitched and she flicked her brown ponytail through the air in disbelief. “No way. So what about this new boy? Are you, you know …”

  Jen blushed and shook her head. “No, nothing like that.”

  Sara grinned and blew another bubble.

  “Honest, there’s nothing going on.”

  “Whatever.”

  ”There’s not. But we’ve got to find him. He found some cannabis on Zander’s boat—”

  “No way,” Sara said, almost dropping her gum.

  “Listen, will you. Rocky heard Jack talking to me about it outside my house—”

  “So Jack’s been to your house. And I thought you said there was nothing going on,” Sara said. “You dirty dog.” She winked.

  “Look, will you let me finish. Rocky heard Jack mention the drugs, and he went and told Zander.”

  “Oh shit. Do you think Zander’s done something to him?” Sara asked.

  “I don’t know, but you know what Zander’s like. Remember that man the other year, that tourist they said spilt a bit of beer on Zander. He ended up in the hospital with his ear bitten off.”

  “That was just a rumour,” Sara said.

  “So explain why after Rocky told Zander what Jack had done, Jack goes missing?”

  Sara shrugged. “I don’t know. Perhaps he’s gone back to the city. Who in their right mind would want to stay here?”

  “If that was the case, he would have told his dad. But he hasn’t. He’s looking for him.”

  “Have you looked in the bar for Zander? That’s where he usually is.”

  Jen nodded. “I already checked there. And at his boat, and at his shed at the end of the harbour.”

  “Well how are we going to find him in this weather?”

  Zander’s boat creaked against the harbour wall, the sound like a groan. Jen took a deep breath, shivered as the fog chilled her nostrils. “We can check around the village for a start. Anywhere you think they might be. It’s better than doing nothing.”

  “And what about Rocky?” Sara asked. “Does he know where they might be?”

  “He says not, but then he’s not likely to tell me. Can you go and look around the village, ask anyone you meet?”

  “On my own? You’ve got to be joking.”

  “It’s better if we split up. We can cover more ground.”

  Sara shook her head. “I’m not going in search of an ear-chomping madman on my own. No way!”

  Jen sighed. “Okay, then come with me. Hurry, we’ve wasted enough time.”

  She jumped down from the wall and headed into the fog with Sara at her side. Although she didn’t say it out loud, she was glad Sara was going with her. Whether the ear-biting story was true or not, the thought of tracking down Zander by herself wasn’t appealing.

  Chapter 24

  The water lapped around Jack’s waist. He shivered. Throat raw through screaming, he fought the instinct to scream again and kept his mouth closed as a fresh wave pummelled against him.

  The fog and sea seemed to be as one. Both were cold and pervasive. Something tickled his fingers in the water. He hoped it was only seaweed. But what if it was a jellyfish, or … Jesus, what if it was that shark people had been talking about. The thought made him quake and he tried again to get free, but it was no good. He might as well be clapped in irons. He scanned the sea that frothed around him, hoping, praying not to see a fin break the surface.

  Who in their right mind would have tied him up out here anyway? It was crazy. He hadn’t done anything to anyone.

  Another wave crashed into him, submerging his face as it passed over. He kept his eyes and mouth shut as tight as possible; thought the water was never going to settle. Goosebumps mottled his arms and legs.

  When the sea smoothed out, he took a deep breath. The pungent smell of brine and seaweed invaded his nostrils.

  He looked down. The water was up to his navel. At this rate, it wouldn’t be much longer before it was up to his neck. Then up to his mouth, then … God, he was going to drown.

  He didn’t want to cry, but he couldn’t stop himself. Tears welled behind his lids; combined with the saltwater, his eyes stung, but he kept them shut tight, too afraid to open them in case he saw something he wished he hadn’t.

  He thought about his dad. There were so many things he wanted to say to him. So many apologies he wanted to make for the things he had done wrong. Now he might never get the chance.

  A final, desperate scream born of anger, fear and frustration burst from his mouth. When his anger was spent, he slumped against the post.

  Then he heard it. A voice calling his name. “Jack?”

  He couldn’t believe it. Hope rushed through his veins. “I’m here. Help me,” he cried.

  Although it hurt, he twisted his head as far as possible to trace the source of the caller. He heard rocks skitter, heard a muffled yelp, then heard his name called again.

  “Jack, is that you? Where are you?”

  He recognised the voice, Jen. His heart soared. “I’m here. Hurry. Quick.”

  Movement caught his eye, and he squinted to make out Jen in the fog. He had never been so glad to see anyone in his life. Someone else appeared beside her who he identified as the girl that he had seen Jen with at the harbour.

  “Thank god,” he said, choking back tears.

  Jen and the girl stood just beyond the water’s reach. “Jack, what the hell’s going on?”

  “I don�
�t know. Someone’s tied me to this post and I can’t get free.”

  “Jesus. Hold on, I’m coming.”

  “Be careful,” the other girl said.

  Jen slipped into the water and waded towards him, holding her arms aloft.

  A fresh wave swept in, causing Jen to sway precariously. “Watch how you go,” Jack said. “It’s not as if I can rescue you.”

  Jen shook her head. “This is no time to be joking.”

  “Who’s joking?”

  The other girl stood back on the rocks and watched.

  “That bastard Zander,” Jen said. “I thought he might be angry, but this!”

  Jack felt something tighten in his bowels. “Zander? What’s he got to do with this?” he asked as Jen reached his side.

  “When I heard you were missing, I went to see Rocky. That night outside my house, he heard what you said about the drugs, and he told Zander.”

  “Jesus. Great boyfriend.”

  “Ex-boyfriend.”

  “You broke up?” Despite his predicament, a warm feeling swept over him that even the cold, incessant waves couldn’t dampen.

  “Yeah, he’s a jerk.”

  Jack grinned.

  He felt Jen’s hands trying to undo the ropes. She gritted her teeth at his side, her sweet breath washing over him.

  “Jesus, these ropes are tight,” she said.

  “Get away from him.”

  Jack and Jen turned as one to see who had shouted. The fog had dissipated over time, and Jack could see a figure scurrying across the rocks at the base of the cliff. The previous warm feeling in his stomach evaporated, replaced with ice.

  It was the madwoman, Lillian Brown.

  She ran past Jen’s friend, pushing her aside as she went.

  “Gran? What’s going on?” Jen said.

  Jack frowned. “You know her?”

  “Of course I know her, she’s my grandmother.”

  “Jenny, get away from him. Now,” Lillian screeched.

  The water lapped across Jack’s chest, and with each ebb of the sea, the tidemark rose higher and higher. He tried to stand on his tiptoes to rise above the water, but it was useless.

  “Gran, someone’s tied him to this post. I’ve got to get him free.”