Bubblehead

There was only one rule: don’t open the door. As if we needed to be told. We knew what would happen if we did. No, we’d all agreed. Signed our names on the dotted line. This was our choice.

We’re struggling though. This time feels different. Dammit, it is different. The suffocating silence, the oppressive darkness. Everyone senses it, the jitters sparking from one to another like wildfire.

“Someone’s tapping outside.”

I groan and roll over, burying my head beneath the pillow.

“Tap, tap, tap. They’re trying to get in. It’s why they’ve locked us up.”

“Jesus Tucker. Stop shouting.”

I throw my blanket to one side and wriggle out of bed, stumbling as pain rips down my leg.

“Riley, Riley. Can you hear it, tap, tap, tap,” he says, rapping his knuckles in the air.

“Tucker, there’s nothing there man, it’s impossible…”

“… Hush.”

He lurches forward, his hands gripping my wrists. His hair is wild, black smudges circling his eyes. I shiver when I see my reflection in his pupils. I look the same. Pale faced, ghoulish. All the color leeched out.

“We need to escape. Before they kill us.”

He barrels into the door, scattering uniforms and hurtling into the corridor. I chase after him, cornering him at the bottom of the ladder.

“We haven’t got long,” he whispers, pressing his finger to his lips. “They’re right outside.”

“Tucker, it’s the doc. He’s here to help, man.”

He scowls and throws himself against the submarine’s escape hatch as the doctor appears at my side.

“You betrayed me, Riley. Don’t you understand I’m trying to save us all.”

“No,” I scream as he spins the wheel on the door. For a moment there’s silence then water roars…