13th Doctor x Reader: Lost

Chapter 58: Seaweed

On the horizon appears a few specks of light, and shortly, many others follow. Upon getting closer, you realize it's some type of... kingdom? A large coral-type structure stands in the center, surrounded by a type of alien seaweed. What's off, however, is the lack of life.

"Where are the mermaids?" Jenny asks, coming to stand between Missy and the Doctor.

"I don't know." The blonde sighs, "it should be bustling with life."

"Some type of war?" You suggest, hoping that isn't the case. You've had enough violence for many lifetimes.

The Doctor shakes her head. "The mermaids are the only type of life in the water, and they're quite peaceful."

"There's only one way to find answers." Missy steps forward, heading straight for the center, "less chatting, more looking."

The rest of you follow, and the closer you get, the more... old everything appears. The seaweed has lost much of it's color, all the coral seems to becoming more and more fragile, some even broken. 

"There has to be some type of life, otherwise we wouldn't be able to be down here." The Doctor thinks, taking out her sonic and scanning the area.

"Could be some type of famine, disease, possibly a disaster." Missy adds, landing her bubble on the sandy bottom.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see some bubbles. When you turn to look, something red disappears in the seaweed. While the others continue to chat about possibilities, you slip off, following it. You know it's really a dumb idea, considering how eerily similar this is to what you saw.

"Hello?" You gently call, trying to make your voice as innocent and sweet as possible.

Upon entering the seaweed, you begin to regret investigating in the first place. Much of it has turned brown, withering away. A few alien skeletons lay on the bottom, looking an awful lot like fish. Some seaweed suddenly shifts in front of you, so you take a few steps further, it's as if your body wants to keep going, but your mind doesn't.

The farther you walk, the more depressed it gets. Eventually, you realize you've lost all sense of direction. Every piece looks the same, withering and mocking you. You start to feel lightheaded as they all seem to wrap around your bubble, closing in. You've never experienced claustrophobia before, but... you're panicking. In blind fear, you pick a direction and run.

I don't want to die yet.

Is the only thought running through your head. The seaweed seems endless, skeletons (hopefully just fish), rocks, coral...

Coral? You stop, looking a little closer. Pieces wrap around it, as if it's been strangled. Missy was right, it's like some type of disaster happened. The seaweed has seemingly gone out of control. Horror hits the pit of your stomach as you begin to realize, not all of those skeletons are just fish.

Now, you're completely lost in it, and no one has any idea where you are. You could be lost in here forever, trapped with only your air bubble. Or maybe the last of the mermaids will die, sending your air bubble popping, leaving you either crushed under the water pressure or left to your own fate of swimming. The seaweed might find a way in, pulling you deeper into... scratch.

Your mind begins to clear up, your breathing becoming more regular. You might be okay. Someone might find you...

"Hey!" A deep voice calls.

Jumping around, you see the red-tailed mermaid. It's a man with deep red hair, gesturing for you to follow him from behind some of the strangled coral. Deciding you don't have much of a choice, you hesitantly come.