Book 3 - Retrievers

XVIII - Wailing

The roar of the water is soon everything that Russia has ever known. He presses himself against the rocks. Sharp points eat at his back and spine. Georgia clings to him, curling around his arm. The water gets higher and higher, and at its lowest, it comes up to his chin. Russia tries his best to keep Georgia's head above the water.

Water whooshes around and out drifts flow into their shelf and swirls around them, trying to pull them into the stronger current. It forces its way around Russia's shoulder and feet. Russia pushes and his legs start to ache.

Russia listens as the water's sounds change. He feels the water around them start to spin even faster in a different direction. The current tries to push them up and into the water. Russia kicks harder against the wall.

'I have to stay here.'

The splashing soon gives way to the sound of suction, like a huge bathtub drain. The water swirls up under Russia, and he fights to stay in place. Georgia digs her nails into Russia's arm, and Russia finds that he doesn't care. Russia's arms start to shake, and his breathing comes in gasps. Georgia finds her footing on the side of the shelf and pushes back, her head almost knocking Russia's breath out of him. Russia pulls her up and her head leans back over his shoulder.

'I need to keep her breathing.'

The funnel yanks the glow sticks, nearly choking Russia. The top opens in Russia's face as if to taunt him. Russia shuts his eyes and turns away. Russia holds his breath as the water surges around them. It pulls at his hair and his necklace.

Russia shrinks a little further. His lungs burn, and he starts to feel dizzy. His mind demands he breathe.

Immediately, his body starts to convulse. His mind fills with fuzz. His lungs feel like they're on fire. He fights against every instinct in order to keep Georgia in place, hoping desperately for the water to recede.

Finally, the water starts to recede. As soon as he's able, he heaves and turns away, throwing up all the water. He wheezes and gasps. He takes a deeper breath and coughs violently. The water calms suddenly.

'The drain is full?'

Russia finally catches his breath. He notices the water standing still. Georgia shakes in his arms.

"Are you okay?" Russia asks.

"I want Dad," Georgia whimpers.

Russia's heart melts.

"Let's go find him, okay?"

"Okay."

"Can you swim?"

"Yeah. I'm tired though."

"I am too," Russia admits, "but we should go."

"Okay. I want Dad," Georgia repeats, her voice shaky.

A piercing wail begins to swell over the water. Screaming and crying ring out underneath it.

"GEORGIA! PLEASE! I'M SORRY!" Texas' voice rings out, cracking at the syllables.

Russia's heart sinks. The wailing is full of pain and grief.

'We need to follow the sound.'

"Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah. Let's go."

Russia unhooks his arm with a little difficultly, and Georgia pulls up, treading water in front of him. He swims out just in front of her, and they struggle to navigate the tunnels and corners. Russia's whole body shakes with exhaustion, and he struggles to keep his eyes open. He can hear his breathing as he gasps and heaves, trying to push forward as far as he could.