A Turn of Tides(7)

I relived all the horror I’d experienced when I’d killed Yasmine.

And now I had the weight of two lives on my shoulders.

I couldn’t even remember, in my mad frenzy, whom I’d killed.

Whether it was a man, woman, perhaps even a child.

If I can’t even trust myself floating in a submarine in the depths of the ocean, what is to become of me?

Chapter 2: Ben

Now that I was temporarily satiated, I was determined to distract myself before the next wave of hunger came on.

Once I was miles away from shore, I stopped the engine and allowed the submarine to float in the waters.

I stalked around the submarine, walking up and down the passageway outside, trying to think what I could possibly distract myself with.

Then I remembered the map I’d brought with me.

Mona’s map that depicted all the gates into this realm.

I searched for my backpack and rummaged through it.

I sat at a table in the galley, spreading it out before me.

I stared at the map, pressing a finger against the gate that appeared to be nearest to me.

South of Chile.

I didn’t know what the purpose of my visit there would be, but I hoped that, if I was distracted with a specific goal, the bloodlust would be a little easier to control.

Perhaps I wouldn’t lose myself so easily if my mind was occupied.

I spent the next few hours navigating toward it.

It was early morning by the time I arrived, just before the sun began peeking above the horizon.

I stopped the submarine half a mile before reaching the sand and left the control cabin.

I grabbed the largest cloak I could find—with the longest sleeves and hood—and tucked it beneath my arm.

Then, climbing through the hatch and locking it behind me, I slipped into the waters, careful to hold the map above the waves with one hand.

I breathed deeply as I exited the water and began walking along the sand.

I looked up and down, relieved that there was no sign of human life.

What appeared to be a dense forest lined the beach.

I took a closer look at the map again.

I’d have to be fast.

I didn’t want to be caught out in the sun.

But I was still getting used to the speed at which I could travel.

I had to be careful to not propel forward too suddenly in case I rammed right into a tree.