Chapter 14

My head felt as if it was going to explode as the full impact of the freezing water hit me. I gasped from the shock of it, and realized a second later that that was a stupid thing to do as I choked on a mouth full of water. Swallow, noticing that I was struggling, pulled me faster and even though we were swimming faster than before it still felt as if we were pushing through at an incredible slow speed, slow motion style.

The lights were still flickering on and off, which cast beautiful, strange shadows that danced around us. I looked above me in some hope that there was a way out, but was frustrated to find the wall of water that was pressing down on and around us was never ending. There was no light at the end of the tunnel.

I began to panic, as there was no sign of the others. I tried desperately to stay calm and concentrate on not drowning but I couldn't do it. My mind was flooded with panic.

Just as I was starting to give up hope and accept that I was going to drown, Swallow changed direction, pulling me upwards towards the never-ending wall of water that surprisingly did end. It was only a little air pocket however, but I was happy for any spared moment to get me out of the water.

As we reached the surface I gratefully sucked in a huge mouthful of air, but gasped as I realized the water was steadily rising up to our necks. Instinctively I reached both hands up and found wall. Swallow followed suit and we came to the terrible realization that we had to go back under, or otherwise drown. Swallow cursed under his breath.

"Where are the others?" I cried, frantically trying to push myself up unsuccessfully.

The water was rising fast, barely reaching my chin. I grabbed onto Swallow for support and wanted for a reply but there was none.

He looked as if he was calculating in his mind and that unnerved me to see him lost on what to do.

"Swallow!"

Being taller than me, Swallow pulled me up so the water didn't reach my mouth and without warning, dived back under, pulling me down with him.

We swam and swam, desperately trying to find and exit but we weren't having much luck. A million thoughts were running through my head. Where were the others? I was going to die. I couldn't die like this. Not now.

I felt a sinking sensation and realized I was slowly pulled downwards, but it wasn't Swallow's doing. I felt his grip loosening, and as he felt it too he whirled around as fast as he could in the water and held onto me.

It took me a moment to realize my clothes were weighing me down and we both began to peel them off me, discarding them. I was beginning to lose energy and knew I couldn't hold on much longer. Swallow felt this too and pulled me in close to him. I started to black out and barely felt Swallow shaking me. Then he kissed me, I could feel him breathing into me, felt air fill my lungs again. As I barely stayed conscious, as Swallow continued to pull me, I thought to myself that that was the second time Swallow had kissed me. It was a stupid thing to think at that time but I kept drifting on and off that I was becoming disillusioned.

Then I was free.

I crawled my way out from the water and onto dry land, collapsing softly face first, cheek to the ground. Swallow was beside me, breathing hard.

Strands of my wet hair stuck to the warm ground as I closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth that was slowly edging through my body. Half of me was shaking, especially now I had gotten rid of most of my clothes. The other half of me was gradually thawing out. I turned to lie on my other cheek to face Swallow and saw him staring straight ahead of him.

He tensed then jumped up in one quick graceful movement.

Confused, I got up too and stopped dead when I saw Ariel laying sprawled on the ground just in front of us, arms held up defensively.

Matthew was standing over him, weaponless. He didn't seem to notice we were there. Rushton and Jik were standing a fair way from us, on the opposite side of the cave. Both looked surprisingly calm, watching on in silence.

I went to move towards Matthew but Swallow flung out his arm to stop me, gently holding me back.

He didn't say a word, but somehow I understood. I couldn't do anything.

The knife was in Ariel's pocket. Matthew bent down carefully to pick it up, in a nonchalant manner that stunned me.

Ariel's whole lower body was soaked with blood, and I was amazed that he had swum as he was injured so.

"This is for everyone you have hurt. For everyone I love." Matthew spoke softly.

He bent down in a kneeling position next to Ariel, and locking eyes with him whispered,

"This is for Cameo."

Ariel did not scream. He didn't even react. He just lay there motionless, blood seeping from the fresh wound around his heart.

The cave was deadly silent.

Matthew's hand shook violently and he dropped the blood soaked knife, the sound of it hitting the ground breaking the unnerving silence.

Matthew's hand didn't leave the position it was at when he dropped the knife. It just hung there in midair, not moving.

I slowly moved towards Matthew. Taking his hand in mine I helped him up. I held tight to help stop him shaking but his whole body shook terribly against mine as I drew him in.

"Come on." I said gently, leading him away.