Previously published under the username Asthenos.
Yes, this series is a whole decade old. I doubt anyone is still interested in it, but I felt incredibly inspired to write a fanfiction continuing it after watching the whole thing in one week. The characters had so much potential, especially the angst between Russell and Tom.
Chapter 1: Swept away
For several minutes, the only sounds that Sheriff Tom Underlay could hear were that of the crashing waves that dragged the incoming tide towards the shore. The force of the water was sure and steady, sweeping around Tom's ankles as the tide was dragged out to sea, and drenching his pant legs as far up as his thighs with every overpowering sweep inland. He kept his gaze on the water illuminated by the light of the moon, trying to keep track of one specific spot. But, as the water remained unchanged, his heart rate began to rise and his breathing became quick and shallow. Panic began to set in.
How long had it been now? Five minutes? Ten?
Tom scanned the water with his keen blue eyes once more, desperate for a sign – anything. Movement. The familiar orange glow that had greeted him when he'd rushed out onto the beach and into the water.
Nothing.
Another five minutes passed and it was becoming difficult to breathe. Again, Tom's gaze took in the ever-changing pattern of the tidal waves, but this time they drifted out of focus. Tom couldn't remember to blink to bring everything back into focus. He could only stare in trepidation.
"Tom!" Mariel's voice.
Tom turned automatically, feeling the pull of his name and nothing more. On some basic, instinctual level, he recognized Mariel but he couldn't respond to her.
"Tom! What is it?!"
That hadn't been Mariel.
Reluctantly, as if he had no choice in the matter, Tom shifted his gaze to the blurry outline of Russell Varon. The man he shared kids with. The ex-husband of his current wife . The ex-Everglades National Park Ranger who had become his recent confidante and partner against the uprising of the genocidal hybrids led by Szura.
"Tom? What happened?"
Russell actually sounded worried for him, but that would change once he found out. The horror of what had happened was just beginning to settle in. Of what Tom had been forced to do.
"Tom!" What happened?!" Russell repeated in a more demanding tone.
The force of Russell's voice caused Tom to unconsciously take one step back, and then another, his feet unsteady in the path of the water rushing all around him. He tried to speak, but no words would come out. His lips moved, just barely, but he couldn't produce a single sound. Blood stained his usually neatly ironed white shirt, his hands and his arms. Larkin's blood. Russell's beloved wife and the mother of his unborn child. Tom felt the ground sway beneath him and his vision became completely distorted as the tears that he hadn't acknowledged began to flow in earnest. He'd done this. It had been his decision. This was his fault.
Tom moved further into the water, like a dying man dragging his feet to his grave. Things were spinning now and his head hurt, but that didn't matter. He had to get to Larkin. Or better yet, he had to get away from Russell.
"TOM!" This time Russell's shout pierced the air, followed by the sounds of a loud splash in the water.
If he could just find Larkin, everything would be okay. Everything could go back to the way it had been the last couple of days. Russell wouldn't hate him and the distrust between hybrids and humans could be laid to rest. That was the last thought on Tom's mind as his legs gave out on him and he collapsed into the crashing waves. Only, he didn't sink into the welcoming bliss of the water. He felt strong arms catch him, saving him from the blackened depths where the creatures dwelled. The warm pressure of the water at his thighs receded to his calves, and then back to his ankles as he was half carried back to shore. Russell had both arms wrapped around his chest from behind and was dragging him bodily out of the water. He could feel Russell's pounding heartbeat at his back, and the other man's heavy breathing at his neck.
"Damn it, Tom," Russell cursed by his ear.
"Tom!" Mariel cried out, rushing down the beach for him.
The last thing Tom remembered before blacking out was lying on his back in the sand and Russell's hand on his face.