Chapter 7 - The Battle on the Lake
The impact knocked the breath from my lungs as we slammed against the metal hull of the boat. The gun flew from Julian’s hand, clattering across the deck and sliding into the deep water below with a heavy splash.
Julian roared with fury, driving his elbow back into my ribs. The pain flared like fire through my side, but I held on, wrestling him down against the seats. He was stronger than he looked, driven by wild, cornered desperation.
He reached out, grabbing the heavy iron crowbar he had dropped onto the deck, and swung it backward. The iron bar grazed the side of my head, tearing open a gash above my eye. Blood immediately spilled down into my left eye, blinding me with crimson.
I stumbled back, gasping for air, as Julian scrambled to his feet on the rocking boat. His face was twisted into a horrific mask of rage.
“I’m going to kill you with my bare hands!” he screamed, stepping over the seats, raising the crowbar above his head with both hands to bring it down on my skull.
Before he could swing, a sharp, metallic sound echoed through the boathouse—the sound of wood splintering and rope snapping.
Elena, using every ounce of her remaining strength, had managed to leverage her weight against the wooden support beam, snapping the old, rotted wood and freeing her bound hands. She grabbed a heavy brass boat hook hanging from the wall and drove it into Julian’s leg from behind.
Julian howled in agony as the sharp brass prongs tore through his trousers, throwing off his balance. He stumbled backward, his feet slipping on the rain-soaked deck of the boat.
I didn't hesitate. I drove my right fist forward with every ounce of rage, pain, and protective instinct I possessed, striking Julian square on the point of his chin.
His head snapped back. He hit the low gunwale of the boat, flipped backward over the side, and vanished into the pitch-black water of the lake.
I collapsed onto my knees on the deck, gasping for air, wiping the blood from my eye.
Above me, Elena scrambled down into the boat, her hands trembling as she tore the duct tape from her mouth.
“Mark! Mark, are you okay?” she cried, pulling me into a fierce, sobbing embrace.
“I’m okay,” I rasped, wrapping my arms around her. “I’ve got you, Elena. It’s over.”
Suddenly, the water beside the boat erupted. Julian’s hand shot out of the lake, grabbing the side rail. He surfaced, coughing up dark water, his eyes bloodshot and crazed as he tried to haul himself back onto the vessel.
“POLICE! DON’T MOVE!”
The boathouse doors were kicked completely off their hinges. Beams of intense white tactical light flooded the room, pinning Julian in a blinding spotlight. Six SWAT officers lined the walkway above, their assault rifles aimed directly at his head.
Detective Miller stepped to the edge of the dock, looking down at Julian with absolute cold disgust.
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“Julian Ross—or whatever the hell your name is,” Miller said calmly over the sound of the rain. “You are under arrest for attempted murder, kidnapping, child endangerment, and grand larceny. Move one muscle, and we end this right now.”
Julian looked up at the circle of laser sights dancing across his chest. The fight completely left his eyes. He slowly let go of the boat rail, letting himself float in the water with his hands raised, completely defeated.
