The eight-foot alligator had disappeared beneath the sea’s debris-littered surface. Empty soda bottles, plastic bags, and random household objects bumped against one another in the light current. Fitz pulled his dangling leg onto the raft and observed their surroundings with a narrowed gaze. “Did you see where it went?” “No,” Marcus quavered. “What the hell ...

Two bright red fiberglass oars dipped into murky seawater, propelling the kayak raft forward a few frustrating inches at a time. The rain had slowed to a light drizzle, with occasional wind gusts swirling moisture around the bedraggled group. Thick air muffled Bella’s infuriated screams. Each wail grated against Marcus’s increasingly fragile nerves. She cried ...

Searing pain attacked Esme from all sides. She tried to stay silent, but with each movement and jostle, her agony broke free and pushed from her lungs into the dank air. Sweat drenched Marcus as he grunted and swore. He and Fitz held Esme’s stretcher between them. They had kept their gait smooth down the ...

“You’re insane,” Esme said. “You have a better idea?” Marcus answered. Esme pursed her lips as her gaze lost focus, searching the corners of her mind for a more effective plan. Finally, she exhaled heavily. “Please, just leave me,” she whimpered. Marcus stared at his wife and watched her lively, beautiful features crumple under a ...

Marcus surfaced, spitting out a mouthful of salt water. “Matty!” he screamed over the rippling seawater. He frantically swung his head back and forth, searching for any signs of his son, who had learned to swim the month prior. His mind jolted to that morning in the condo pool. Was it just this morning? Matty ...

Marcus gaped at his son and the puddle on the rug at his feet. No. His vision clouded as liquid panic pumped through his veins. Fitz said Matty’s name, strode to the boy, and crouched before him. No, no, no. “Marcus!” Fitz snapped his fingers toward him twice. SNAP SNAP. He blinked, and the room came ...

Panic clawed under Sofia’s damp skin, and her sweat beaded and flew from her forehead every time she swiveled to listen for her pursuer. She lurched left as the wall against her fingertips vanished into nothingness. Sofia paused, unsure which way to go. Jax clicked on his flashlight, and the glow splashed her dim shadow ...

Sofia stumbled along, blind in the darkness, her left hand tracing the painted concrete wall to her left, the other clutched to her aching ribs. She stopped, planted her back flat against the stubbled surface, and listened. Staccato curses echoed and bounced through the black passage, Jax’s angry voice peppering her with rancid fear. Her ...

Content Warning: violent assault “We’re getting reports the storm surge has begun,” crackled an old radio near the center of the arena. Groups of evacuees nearby quieted to listen. “All civilian areas have been vacated, and no more rescue crews are entering the area near the beach–.” The radio spit rough static and Molly’s forehead ...

“You’ve got it! Pull yourself up!” Lexi grabbed at Simon’s legs as they flailed around her head. “Climb UP, Simon!” His bare feet pushed against her palms with new purpose and she felt the pressure ease as he hauled himself up into the pocket above them. Lexi staggered back, breathing hard, and watched his skinny ...