The Backroom and Other Short Horror Stories

Hope You Drown

Water filled my lungs as it splashed all around me. Barely, my head lifted above the surface as I attempted to fight my way through the crashing waves. But it was no use. No matter how hard I stroked, how many breaths I took, how hard I tried, I was still stuck here, swimming until my skin grew as wrinkly as a sun-dried raisin. Regrettably, I took one last weak breath and allowed myself to sink into the water.

When I awoke again, there was someone next to me, a man who appeared to be a teenager. His short black hair dripped water onto my barren chest, clearly showing he recently exited the pool. He took deep breaths as he stared at me like I was a ghost not meant to exist. I simply laid there, soaking wet and heavy with weight, wondering if I was finally dying. I stared at the smooth white ceiling that reflected the water. It must have been minutes. I was somehow still alive.

"Are you okay," the man finally choked out, sputtering shortly after he spoke. Clearing his throat, he added, "You were going to drown. I stopped so I could save you."

"Why," I muttered, my respiratory system aching with pain as I spoke. Why couldn't you have just let me die, I wanted to say. I've been here for so long I've lost count of the days. I've given up any hope I had to get out of here. It'd be better if I were dead. I'm sure any entertainment I once gave to these monsters is long gone.

"I'm not sure," said the boy, softly. "Sorry..."

I sat up, looking around even though I knew the structure of this place by heart. In front of me was a narrow swimming pool, with water so blue it appeared to be taken from the ocean itself. All around us were slim white floors, walls, and ceilings. Bright red benches were placed between slits in the walls. Blue banners that portrayed the word "arsenal" were placed every few benches (none of us knew what this meant). There were two places where sets of doors led to another place. One was where we slept, on rock hard mattresses in a cold room that had no light. A small bathroom was located next to a set of beds. The other set of doors led somewhere only those that swam hard enough got to pass through.

Not a single one of us knew each other or why we were here. One day, one by one, we woke up in this strange place. Everyday, we're given swimming clothes and are forced to swim from one side of the pool to the other. Whoever reached the other side first was allowed to leave through the doors no one here peeked through. Everyone who tried was too tired to try to sneak behind and attempt a glance. And even if someone tried it, one of those monsters would soon push them out if the way. Since I had hardly swam in my life, I was stuck here the longest. I've seen so many faces come and go, so much so that I wouldn't be surprised if I had grey hair. Whenever someone moves on, they quickly find a replacement.

However, the water was the strangest thing of all - no one could see their reflection in it, and it was always clean.

"Doesn't matter," I sighed, staring at the water. "Another day I failed."

"Sorry, but... what exactly is going on here? I arrived a few days ago, and I'm confused on why I'm here. I think maybe they mistook me for the wrong person."

Pity clouded my heart. I told the boy all I could, about how none of us understood what was going on. I added in the fact that, despite being here for so long, I am still as clueless as I was on the first day here. He appeared shocked as I told him this.

"The only way out," he cried, "is by swimming to the other end of that pool?"

"Apparently so," I sighed.

"That sounds so simple, but when you think about it." He looked around at the other people, who were taking deep breaths and cursing with anger. "Everyone wants out."

"I've given up," I told him, laying down on my back. "You should have just let me drown."

"I..." He took a deep breath. "I just can't. I promised to myself to never let a human being die, so long as I'm able to stop it."