Beneath the Surface

Chapter 6

They had but a second to react. Sidestepping the attack, they barely missed the onslaught. But the men were relentless, coming at them again with renewed fury.

"Stick together!" Jeremy yelled, clutching at Jake's arm and tucking him close as they fought back against the attackers.

The first man leaped at Jeremy, fists flashing, but Jeremy dodged and jabbed him in the midsection, then laid an uppercut on him that had him reeling backward. Jake, feeling braver from Jeremy's assaultive attitude, swung the knife at attacker number two, barely missing as he dodged to the side.

Watch out!" Jeremy yelled, even as he turned in time to block the punch that came at him, following it with a knee to the attacker's gut.

"Get down!" Jake yelled back, the first man recovered and flung himself at Jeremy, bringing him down to the ground. They both crashed onto the pier, grappling for control, fists flying as they exchanged blows.

He could feel the wood beneath him splintering with the weight of their fight, the danger of the ocean just below them adding chaos to the fight. Jeremy finally managed to throw the man off, pushing him back with a hard shove, but that small victory was short-lived, as he soon saw the second attacker renew his vigor and advance on him.

"Jake! Watch out!" Jeremy suddenly shouted, panic rising to his chest as he turned to find Jake struggling to defend himself. The second attacker had recovered now and charged with a snarl toward Jake.

In one blind, instinctive surge of adrenaline, Jeremy dove forward with every last ounce of strength in him. The second attacker he managed to collide with just in time, pushing him away from Jake and sending them both crashing into the railing of the pier.

"Keep the knife!" Jeremy yelled at Jake, panting, winded. "You have to fight!"

The knife, tightly clutched in his fist, was raised in a defensive manner, and his gaze met that of the first attacker as a new sense of determination shone in his eyes. This one was getting to his feet, sneering-the blood trickling from a cut on his lip-and his eyes were aflame with fury.

"Let's finish this," the man growled, taking a threatening step toward Jake.

Back off!" Jake warned, his voice shaking but firm. He waved the knife, trying to shoo him away.

But he did not. The man sprang forward in an arc to swat at Jake's arm, trying to knock the knife away. At that moment, Jeremy reacted involuntarily. He dove at the attacker and took him down onto the ground. They rolled across the pier, fists flying as Jeremy fought for the high ground.

The tension of the night air crackled with their wrestling, both men equally determined to win. Jeremy could feel his strength waning, yet refused to give in. He had to protect Jake;

The battle that raged across the pier enveloped them, grunts and splintering wood and ocean crushing itself against the pylons filling the air. Jeremy could feel exhaustion creep into his muscles, but the adrenaline coursing through him propelled him forward. It couldn't get much bigger-the repercussions of not getting away were far beyond anything they were capable of handling.

Jeremy enfolded with a surge of strength suddenly threw the attacker off him, scrambling to his feet in time for the man's second lunge, this one animated by raging passion. Jeremy dodged at the last second and saw Jake struggling with the first attacker. A surge of panic coursed through him. "Jake, we gotta get outta here!"

Jake's face was red from fear and for a moment Jeremy thought he wouldn't answer. But then Jake nodded and resolution set his face hard. He turned his glance to the knife that had slipped from his fingers during the struggle, but it was too late to recover it.

Let's go!" Jeremy yelled, tugging on Jake's arm and pulling him toward the edge of the pier. The sound of footsteps coming from behind his back made his heart rush.

They took one final dash toward the stairway down to the beach, pursuers hot at their heels. Jeremy could hear the angry shouts that reverberated against the night air-the reminder that they would not easily be let off.

"Run!" Jeremy yelled in a haze. The thought of adrenaline carrying them across was all he could hold onto. By the time they reached the stairs, Jeremy could swear he felt the wood splintering under his feet, the whole pier threatening to give way to the inky blackness beneath the water.

The first attacker was right behind them, but as they reached the stairs, Jake suddenly whirled and let out a desperate kick at the man's midsection. It connected, sending the man tumbling backward and giving them precious seconds for their getaway.

"Now!" Jeremy yelled, strained with urgency in his voice, as he pushed Jake ahead of him down the stairs.

They ran down the stairs, the sound of their feet rattling in the stillness of the night. The beach was across the way, a dark canvas beneath the pale light of the moon. Jeremy turned back to see the attackers still after them-furiously etched faces-and this generated a surge of fear within Jeremy's heart.

"Over there!" Jeremy yelled, pointing toward a cluster of rocks further down the shoreline. They could hide among them, some distance from their pursuers.

Both veered toward the rocks as hearts started to pound, sprinting across the sandy beach. The ocean lapped at their feet, cold and unforgiving, but they pressed on-desperation driving them.

Behind the boulders, they huddled in a semicircle, tucking themselves behind a large outcrop and panting hard. The shadows swallowed them whole, the salty air thick with tension as they listened for the sounds of their attackers closing in.

We need a plan," Jake panted, his breathing rapid, sharp cuts. He leaned against the rocks, face pale and strained from the incident.

"Let them pass," Jeremy replied in a low voice. "We'll just wait until they're gone, then we need to find a way outta here-call for help or something.

This can't be real," Jake whispered, passing a shaking hand through his hair. "What do they want from us?"

"I don't know," Jeremy said, shaking his head as he peered out from behind the rock. "But one thing is for sure-they will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.".

They stood in dead silence, their hearts pounding against their ribs, as the unmistakable sound of footsteps reached them. There stood the two men, shoulder to shoulder, with the night wrapping itself around them like a shroud. Jeremy's mind grasped thoughts, a maelstrom of anger and fear.

Listen, Jeremy whispered, eyes fixed on the shadows where the attackers had been. If they find us, we can't fight them. We need to use the element of surprise.

Jake nodded, his eyes wide with comprehension. Ambush them? When they get close enough?

"Exactly," Jeremy said, the adrenaline sparkling again inside him. "We just have to wait for the right moment. But we gotta be fast and precise.