In Deep Water: Chapter 22
In Deep Water
Something is on fire. The alarm sings its wailing song through the Griffin.
“We’ve got a breach in the bow.” A crewmember barges into the room, soaking wet. “I’ve sealed the affected compartments. It should hold for the time being.”
“That’s good. Keep me posted if anything changes.” Xander exhales as the alert cuts off. “Can we get eyes out there?”
Max jumps to attention. “I can have another ROV in the water in five minutes.”
“Thank you.” Xander nods as Max disappears into the maze of submersibles outside the control room. Glancing in my direction, he frowns. “You okay, Em?”
I put a shaky hand on my forehead and wipe the sweat accumulating there. My ears are still ringing as the panic settles in my tummy. “Yeah, just a little nauseous.”
“I think I might be sick.” Sophie turns her wide eyes to me, her face a shade of green.
Xander rubs slow circles along my shoulders. “We’ll get through this.”
I’m not sure if he’s saying that for my benefit or his. I give him a small smile. “Thank you, babe.”
Sophie sighs. “I hope you’re right.”
“She’s in.” Max marches into the room. “We can pull her cameras up now. I’m also having them launch a couple more subs, just in case.”
“Great idea.” Nathan hums, his leg bouncing as he stares at the computer monitors lining the front wall.
One of the screens blinks to a beautiful cerulean blue, air bubbles floating rapidly to the surface as the ROV plunges deeper into the Atlantic Ocean.
“She’ll track the path to the explosion first,” Max informs, eyes never leaving the monitor. “Then we’ll search for traces of this beast elsewhere.”
As the sub moved, debris began filling the screen. Pieces of the hull float soundlessly through the waters, their shine a dull charcoal black. Soon, the Griffin’s bow comes into view. Flashes of the Griffin wrecked on the ocean floor come to the forefront of my mind’s eye. The time-worn hole now scars an otherwise perfect exterior.
“It’s much bigger than I remember it from the video footage,” Sophie murmurs.
Nathan swallows. “Perhaps that was because it was covered in anemone.”
“Maybe.” Sophie rubs at her temples.
“No sign of the Livyatan. Could we have defeated it?” Xander glances at me.
I shrug, shaking my head. I have no idea.
“Don’t get your hopes up too high there, Xander.” Nathan grimaces.
A second computer monitor comes to life. The Livyatan’s gnarled image is showcased in its full glory, with only a jagged gash across its face and an empty socket where its right eye used to be.
“How is it still alive?” Xander gapes as the creature writhes in circles, taking a swipe at the ROV.
Sophie huffs. “They must have tough skin like sperm whales. Their hide can be as thick as thirteen and a half feet. It helps protect them from predators. Since Livyatan shares the same domain as the Megalodon shark, it makes sense.”
“Over a foot?” My eyes going round. Killing this beast becomes more impossible with every attempt.
Xander runs a palm across my back, his brows knitting together as he focuses on the displays.
“We’re a couple of miles north-east of the storm.” Eddie strolls in, a can of Red Bull in his hand. He eyes Max and the hangar. “Someone reports two additional ROVs deployed.”
“Good, because this thing isn’t dead yet.” Max glares at each monitor as she chews on the inside of her cheek.
Eddie takes a seat next to Xander and cocks his head. “What’s it doing?”
The giant’s powerful tail pumps so hard that it breaks the surface.
“I think she’s charging us again.” Sophie’s face goes white.
“Arm those subs.” Xander jumps out of his chair. “Take her out.”
“Yes, sir.” The operators punch commands on their respective keyboards.
“And make sure you don’t hit the Griffin, please.” Nathan quirks a brow when two of the pilots cringe.
“All missiles armed.” Four voices announce in unison.
Sophie chews on her fingernails while I scoot to the edge of my seat.
“Target acquired.” Each pilot announces between the soft tapping of their control panels. The prehistoric cetacean is within five meters of the Griffin when she makes a sudden left, circling behind the ROVs.
“Wait. What is she doing?” Max scans the screens for a sign of the monster. “Where is she?”
Before Max can bark an order, the Griffin’s hull is growing closer at considerable speed.
A pilot gasps. “I don’t have control.”
I watch the displays as they grow near. Ten feet, seven, five.
“Oh, no,” Xander whispers, as the submersibles make contact with the ship.
I crash to the floor from the explosion that follows. A siren screams. “What happened?”
“I don’t know, but we need to move.” Xander grabs emergency gear from a small closet in the corner and hands them out.
Sophie freezes. “Why are you handing me a life vest?”
“Because if all subs detonated on impact, we won’t be able to seal anything off.” Nathan shrugs his on and helps Sophie into hers.
“Nathan’s right.” Xander already has his jacket over his head and is on the phone with the captain. “It’s time to evacuate.”
He pockets his cell, and the captain’s instructions replace the ear-piercing alarm.
I hyperventilate when the ship shifts under my feet. “But we’re in the middle of nowhere in the sixteenth century.”
“We’ll figure this out, Em.” Xander leans down until we are at eye level with each other. “Breathe in. Alright, hold it. Yes, now let it out slowly. Better?”
I take another deep breath and nod. “I can do this.”
“Everyone, find a sub.” Xander leads us out into the Hangar. “It’s time to get off the ship.”
Editor: Lucy Cafiero
