Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #11 February 2015 | Page 18

I was holding onto a large wooden crate beside me
and I used it to turn myself and stagger back along the
walkway of the hold, dropping the useless hand-medown army revolver as I did so.
I staggered step by step toward the stairs leading to the
upper deck and safety. My left knee was stiff within the
leather brace but all pain was long since forgotten.
I reached the steps and glanced behind as I did. The
creature was a few paces behind me, the smell of death
billowing around it like a cloud.
I stumbled, my foot slipped on the first step and I half
fell, only my iron grip in the rail kept me upright.
Forcing myself up the stairs by fear alone I reached the
top and stepped onto the deck, into the light and into
safety. It would not follow me up here. I was safe.
The creak of the stairs beneath the creature’s massive
bulk broke my thoughts and left me but a thread away
from panic.
It was coming up the stairs. It was coming up the stairs.
I staggered backward and hit the ship’s rail, a solid
clunk bought my thoughts back to my control for a
second. Something in my coat had hit the rail, something heavy. Something solid.
The massive revolver.

ing and splintering the wood.
I dragged my arm back up, the revolver’s