Demon Rock by Stephen Derrian

distance from the shore. Maybe it was the Master’s keen sense of smell or some other heightened sense but he appeared to know where he was heading. Instead of moving straight away from the dock, he seemed to be going around the back of the island before peeling of. He maintained a distance of about ten metres from the edge of the cliff face.
     
    Beside the cabin, the islands facade seemed to have a steep incline, the dock being one of the only near sea level pieces of land, at least of what I had seen so far. I took off running as the land increased its gradient. I continued to run, all the time gaining height, the boat getting smaller in my vision below me. The boat itself was quite slow, battling the waves. I seemed to be running faster than I had ever run before, the serum taking its effect. I managed to get ahead of the boat although I was now about twenty metres above sea level. The land began to level out as I reached the top of the hilled cliff. As I did I leapt out from the cliff as far as I could, making sure to avoid the rocks directly beneath. Whilst I was in the air I threw my weight forward, ducking my head and outstretching my arms into a diving position. I gathered speed fast as I fell towards the ocean. I hit the water with such impact that I felt one of my ear drums burst. Adrenaline got me through the pain and I surfaced. The boat was coming up on me and I was directly in its path. The wind and rain had masked the sound of my dive. The waves were ferocious but I managed to suspend myself above the water with what appeared to be increased upper body and leg strength. As the boat crept ever nearer a wave caught my body and moved me out of the way to avoid the front of the boat. The boat began to pass me as I looked for something on its side to grab. The wave bounced of the cliff forcing the water back. I rode the currents as the wave crashed into the side of the boat. As luck would have it there was a life ring stuck to the side of the stern. I grabbed hold of the red buoyant device, the boat dragging my body along the surface of the water. I managed to reach up to the edge of the boat and get a solid footing on the ring. I peered over the edge of the boat onto the deck. I could see the Master at the wheel, navigating the boat. I pulled my body up over the railing and onto the boats deck, lowering myself quietly as not to be heard or seen by the Master. The Master seemed to be concentrating hard avoiding rocks and riding the waves. If I had to guess, this was not his first time on a boat. Perhaps in a life before he was turned, maybe even since he had been. I spied the anchor at the back of the deck. The anchor was made of metal in a T shape with sharp points on either side. The anchor was attached to a long chain. This was my chance. I would not stand a chance of defeating the Master if he seen me coming, but with the element of surprise on my side I might just have a chance. I picked the anchor up of the deck, it was heavy but I could manage it okay with my new found strength. I crept towards the Master who was still navigating the boat staring ahead. I was mindful of each step, praying that a squeaky piece of wood would not give me away, would not spell the end. I managed to creep until I was about a metre away from the Master. With all my strength I swung the anchor as hard as I could; the Master did not have time to turn around as the sharp end went through the back of his neck and through his throat. Blood oozed from the Master but he was not defeated. I knew if he managed to pull out the anchor there was a chance he would be able to heal himself. I could not take the risk… I grabbed hold of the chain and ran towards the back of the boat dragging the Master with me. The Master managed to stay on his feet, taking backwards steps as I moved as not to fall. Before the Master could turn around I slung the chain over the back end of the boat aiming it towards the propeller of the boat. The chain caught