The Defector

Rats! Hundreds of them, leaping at his throat, his face, all over his body.Nick Carter tore at his attackers, shaking his body to free himself. He raised his head and came face to face with two more of the rodents, big as alley cats, squatting on a box. He slashed at them with his stiletto, and both fell. Then something furry landed on his neck. Nick whirled, aiming his weapon backwards with deadly accuracy.The rickety sampan reeked from the stench of the rats. They must have been locked in for days, perhaps even weeks, without a morsel of food. Their ferocity attested to that.And he was locked in this damned hellhole for the rest of the night . . .