“Come on, come on,” he hissed, jerking the cord again. The skiff rocked violently as another swell rose beneath it, no wind, no reason, just something huge shifting in the depths. The boat rolled so far that seawater sloshed over the side, soaking his boots. His heart slammed in his chest. If it tipped, he was finished.
At last, the engine caught. With a deafening roar, it rattled back to life, sending vibrations through the hull. Erik slammed the throttle open, and the skiff leapt forward, bow cutting into the dark. Behind him, the water rose once more, a swell curling unnaturally, as though something followed just beneath the surface. He didn’t dare look back.