After the revelation about Yvette I was more paranoid than ever. Arthur went on a three day swim to try to locate Atlantis himself before whatever that thing was, came back.
He had said that there were a few places he hadn't checked yet. Today was day two of his quest and as I readied for the day I wondered if he might just find it.
After a shower and a fresh set of clothes I went to greet my dad downstairs.
"I've got the car all packed up. I can stay longer if you'd like, Ingrid," He told me as he washed his cereal bowl.
"It's alright. I'm looking forward to having the house to myself," I said shoving my hand in my pockets,"You'll text me when you arrive home?"
My father didn't say anything just pulled me into a hug and I was relieved that he initiated it. We were never close after he got remarried but now I didn't want to see him leave.
I helped him carry his bags to the car. We said our goodbyes and I watched him drive off. The house was quiet except for Simon scurrying around the kitchen. His little feet pitter-pattering away.
The clock ticked loudly in the corner and my house was suddenly really quiet and I felt even more alone. Simon scurried past me straight to his bed. I watched him scratch and turn in circles before plopping down, looking at me with big tired eyes.
"You're right, today is a good day for a long nap,"
• • •
My consciousness began to return and my eyes fluttered open. My room was how I left it, dark, cold and with a snoring Simon curled at the end of the bed. I stretched and sat up, my clock blinked red numbers steadily. 8:45pm. With a sigh, I move out of bed careful to not wake Simon.
My dad had made it home an hour ago, my phone lit up with the unchecked text message. Sitting at my desk I turned on the lamp and a golden pale hue enveloped the room, my fingers clicking away on the keyboard. My mind was restless about the whole Arthur situation so I did the only thing I could think of: google everything.
After the third myth about how Atlantis sank to the bottom of the Ocean like the Disney movie I shut my computer. Sighing, my feet swiveled me around in my chair. There wasn't much tangible evidence of where Atlantis could be, only folklore and maps that told me nothing.
I slipped back into bed dissatisfied with my half ass research, I curled up in my blankets and drifted off to sleep.
I was scared. My heart was beating so fast it made my ribs rattle as I watched from the window. My fists were balled up and banging on the thick glass as I screamed for them to stop.
Arthur was in a heated argument with a woman across the room, who was dressed in a green suit, her long red hair flowed freely around her just like Arthur's. The glass I was banging on was cold to the touch and the room I was in was some sort of lab, but with oxygen. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but it seemed like they were distracted with something else now, their attention was drawn to me, both their necks snapping towards me their eyes wide.
"What?" I asked moving away as Arthur reached my door.
"Ingrid, come to the door," his voice seemed desperate and scared,"Mera, open this fucking door right now!" He screamed at the other woman as he tried to force the door open.
"Arthur? What's happening? I thought I was safe in here? I can't breathe out there," I spoke fast as fear began to tremble beneath my skin. Why would he want to take me out of the one place I won't drown in?
"Mera!" Arthur's rage in his voice made me jump. I could see his body straining as he tried to open the door.
"It won't open, there's protocol," Mera spoke from behind Arthur and I tore my eyes from him to look at her. Her face was passive, but her eyes were sorry,"If there's a breach in safety in the lab, the door seals. Nothing can get in and nothing can get out,"
"Out?" I stammered,"Arthur? What's in here with me?!" I cried.
"I can get you out,"
"Arthur, look at me!"
His blue eyes met mine,"What is in here?"
"Darkwater," he breathed,"I'm going to get this door open,"
I spun around surveying my surroundings. The lab was huge. One large room filled with lab tech and another smaller room for when the scientists needed to sleep. I wasn't given a proper tour of the room, as I was thrown in here hastily, but I saw another door.
"How did it get in? There's no water in here, it's sealed right, right?"
"There are tanks of water made especially for when soldiers get hurt, they have therapy," Mera spoke up from behind Arthur.
"Where?!" He demanded.
"The second door. I'm sorry, I didn't know it was following you,"
My eyes locked onto the door,"Well shit, think I can kill it like the one at my house?" I nervously laughed turning back to Arthur.
"That was an accident,"
"I know...I was trying to lighten the mood, since I'm about to die," I spoke resting my hand against the glass. His eyes grew wide at my words, and he hollered loudly as he put all his strength into prying the door open.
"Arthur there's no use, protocol remember?" Behind me a crash sounded in the back and I heard the door open.
"Arthur...can you just put your hand against the glass? I'm trying to be romantic like the movies and you're ruining it," I chuckled as tears fell down my face.
"Shut the hell up, Ingrid," he muttered, but I watched him place his hand over mine.
"I'm glad you found Atlantis, and your people, Mera here seems like she'll be a great queen,"
I could hear the familiar crawl of Darkwater as it slithered across the floor. It's nails scraping against the floor getting closer and closer.
"Stop talking. Just shut up for once in your life," Arthur demanded,"I l-,"
Suddenly a sharp pain took hold of my body as Darkwater's claws sank into my leg. I screamed and held onto the door handle. I could feel its tail coil around the bottom half of my body. Arthur was livid now, his eyes bright with rage and his face red as he screamed my name. His fists pounding against the glass.
"M-Mera! Take him, please," I cried as its claws sank into my shoulder,"I don't wan-,"
Through hazy eyes and my mind mind going in and out of consciousness I watched Arthur struggle against the guards. The grotesque face and large round eyes of Darkwater stared me down and as Arthur's cries became distant, I could feel its sharp fingers dig into my chest slowly and painfully.
My screams turned to gargled moans as blood seeped from my lips and-
"Argh!" My eyes shot open, my body heaving as I screamed. Simons head popped up from his spot.
"I'm okay," I breathed. "I'm okay,"
Needing to write this down I grabbed my notepad and scribbled as much of the dream down I could remember. Arthur would need to see this when he came back.
• • •
Downstairs I began to prepare a salad for dinner. While I rinsed off the vegetables Simon whined. Glancing at him he wagged his tail and hopped back and forth on his legs.
"Simon, why do you always have to pet at the most inopportune times? Let's be quick alright?"
I threw the ball for Simon and watched him chase after it, his tail wagging fast. I chose to stay in my backyard, I didn't need Simon jumping in the bay again. The ball never passed the bushes that lined the edge of my property. Simon came running back to me the ball barely contained in his mouth and dropped it at my feet. I smiled and picked it up, slightly damp I rolled it between my hands and readied to throw when I saw it.
Between the bushes something dark and large was watching me. I could see the glint of its eyes. Panic came over me in a harsh wave and I grabbed Simon, turning on my heel quickly. Once inside I slammed my door shut, placed Simon on the floor, who seemed unfazed, and ran to the window to watch the creature behind the bush. Suddenly it was gone, and I strained my eyes in the dark to see it when Simon began to growl.
"Simon?"
He ran off towards the kitchen his bark deep and that's when I heard it, I had left the sink running.
"Simon! No!" I cried bolting from my seat, I grabbed the old fire poker but froze when I heard Simons cries of pain. My body was trembling with fear as I ran into the kitchen. On the floor and not moving, Simon laid in a pool of blood.
Deadwater was still coiling itself out of the sink.
I screamed charging at it, a quick whack to the head was enough to daze it and my hand shot out flicking on the garbage disposal. Cries of agony escaped it as it tried to free itself, but it soon died and hung limply over the sink counter. With a heavy heart I slid down the wall picking up my dog, cradling him to my chest, I sobbed.