Content area
Full Text
This is the first chapter of Hell Island, the limited-edition novella by Australian action writer Matthew Reilly, who is the face of the Federal Government's Books Alive campaign this year
TERRIFIED, wounded, and now out of ammo, Lieutenant Rick "Razor" Haynes staggered down the tight passageway, blood pouring from a gunshot wound to his left thigh, scratch marks criss-crossing his face.
He panted as he moved, gasping for breath. He was the last one left, the last member of his entire marine force still alive.
He could hear them behind him.
Grunting, growling.
Stalking him, hunting him down.
They knew they had him -- knew he was out of ammunition, out of contact with base, and out of comrades-in-arms.
The passageway through which he was fleeing was long and straight, barely wide enough for his shoulders. It had grey steel walls studded with rivets -- the kind you find on a military vessel, a warship.
Wincing in agony, Haynes arrived at a bulkhead door and...