This chapter is for Alenor.
Chapter 13
"No."
Using my hands to push myself up, I rose to meet Swallow.
Gently, he placed his hand on my head and frowned slightly.
"He's not dead, we can still save him."
"Elspeth, just rest. There's nothing you can do for him."
I almost laughed, out of frustration more than anything. I was sick and tired of everyone telling me I was useless, that I couldn't help and that I should rest. All my life I'd rebelled against everything and everyone to prove myself and now was no exception.
I noticed Swallow was watching me intently, his expression unreadable.
"I know what your thinking and I commend you for your bravery, but this place is almost full of water. If we do not leave soon, it will not only be your friend that drowns but all of us too."
"I can't leave him. After all this time, I can't lose him. You can help me or not but I'm going after him."
We stared at each other scowling for a moment before I spoke hastily.
"Swallow, you say yourself we are running out of time! And we are just standing here!"
I had become accustomed to the lights that had been endlessly flashing on and off, illuminating Swallow's strikingly beautiful features. He gave one last desperate glance at the only exist left that was filling with water; the other exits were already flooded, and in one graceful movement, dove into the water.
Straining my eyes in the on and off darkness, I could only make out tiny figures in the distance. Swallow was nowhere to be seen and I shivered, not knowing whether to risk it and dive in myself.
After waiting a minute, I became panicky. Dancing around on the spot, my arms wrapped tightly around me, I couldn't stand to wait any longer.
I took a deep shuddering breath then jumped straight into the water.
I cried out, the water was icy cold, making my body feel numb and stiff, knocking the breath out of me.
At first I was completely bewildered as before the water had been warm, but now it seemed, was raging and bitter. Then, a thought occurred to me. Was this Dragon's doing? No it didn't make sense. She couldn't make the water so cold; she couldn't make us freeze to death.
I called out to Swallow, but it was of no use, my voice just bounced off the walls and echoed around me. I turned around and around to find someone, anyone, but no luck. It was almost as if I was completely alone.
Then at the corner of my eye I saw someone. They were struggling to stay afloat, the strange unnatural current determined to keep them under.
"Matthew!" I screamed.
I had gotten his attention, and just as he was about to turn around, someone else appeared out of nowhere, too small to be Swallow.
I watched in awe as whoever it was, was pulling Matthew away from me.
Thrashing my arms around violently, trying frantically to reach Matthew, I half swam, half dragged my self harshly through the freezing water. Through chattering teeth I yelled out again but stopped, my mouth hanging open as I saw who was with Matthew.
I was so close now and could see that it was unmistakably Jik who was pulling Matthew away from me.
"Get off him!" I spluttered, mouth full of water.
Seeing me, he let go of Matthew accidently.
After realizing what he'd done with wide eyes, he dove under after him, resurfacing a moment later with Matthew in his arms.
I yelled and cursed at him, arms flailing, trying desperately not to sink.
But Jik grabbed my arm too and pulled Matthew and I out from the water and back onto the ledge.
"What are you doing?" I raged, thinking it was part of his or Ariel's plan to keep me alive. But why Matthew?
Thinking of Matthew, I instinctively bent down to where he was lying, sprawled on the hard rock, not moving.
"Please be alive, please." I muttered over and over.
Jik bent down too and went to reach over to Matthew but I slapped his arm away violently.
"Get away from him!"
Jik looked as if he'd been slapped in the face.
"Please, Elspeth, I just want to help."
I stared at him, but all I could see was Ariel's haunting face starting back at me. I could no longer see Jik.
"You helped him, how could you." I spat scornfully.
I switched my attention from Jik to Matthew.
Placing one hand on his heart to help me concentrate, I sent out a probe to feel his life pulse. To my uttermost shock and disbelief, it was still pulsing.
"Matthew." I breathed.
As if he had heard me calling him, he opened one eye hesitantly, then the other.
His eyes turned wide in shock as he saw me and our unfortunate surroundings.
"Elspeth." He whispered hoarsely, choking and spluttering on water.
He turned to cough it all up, and once turning back around, leapt up immediately after seeing Jik.
"You!" he yelled, pointing a shaky accusing finger.
"No, please you have to let me explain." Jik implored, with begging eyes.
"I'll kill you!" he yelled, making a move to jump at Jik.
"Matthew!"
I grabbed him round the middle, stopping him mid action.
"We have to get out of here… where's Swallow?"
"Swallow?" Matthew echoed, his face transforming from wrathful to puzzled.
"I am here."
We both whipped around to find Swallow and Rushton standing at the water's edge.
"We have to hurry." Swallow announced, reaching out to push us forward.
"The exit is near full of water."
At that moment, as if by some horrible twist of fate, the lights blew out once more.
I had no idea who I was holding onto as we all swam slowly, pushing through the water.
I screamed as the water steadily reached my neck, threatening to pull me under for good.
Through another flicker of light I saw Rushton and Matthew duck underwater, through the exit. Swallow, once reaching me spoke,
"We have to dive under. Take a deep breath and swim as fast as you can through the tunnel. It is all filled with water now, but I'm guessing there will be an air pocket through the other side. Grab onto me and no matter what happens, don't let go."
I shivered, not realizing the tunnel we had came from would be filled with water.
"On the count of three ok? I'll be with you all the way. Don't let go."
I swallowed a huge lump that had been rising in my throat.
"Ok." I whispered.
"One…two…three!"