In to the ocean

Chapter 3

"Mother? Are you there?" Jungkook yells out into the darkness. The monstrous wave has flooded his home. Jungkook, his father and Dalena huddle on an overturned closet.

No reply and silence returns, only punctured by the echoing of water dripping from their shivering forms.

The wave has extinguished all candles leaving them in utter darkness among the broken mess that used to be the hallway. Furniture lays mangled and upturned and splintered pieces of wood float in the chest-deep murky water.

Jungkook squint hard trying to force his eyes to adjust to the void surrounding him. After the wave had hurled into the house, Jungkook had emerged spluttering from the floodwater, hacking up the salt from his lungs. His father had pulled him onto the broken closet a refuge teetering above the vengeful ocean water. There too was Dalena, who is now using her apron to bandage a wicked gash on Jungkook's father's side.

Blood pours from the torn wound, exposing angry skin and sinew beneath. Dalean wrap the soaked cloth around it tight, causing the man to gasp in pain.

"That should hold if for now" Dalena said. Jungkook's father groans as he struggle to sit upright "I have..."

"Not if you’re dead, It’s not!" Dalena interrupters definitely as with a frim push to the chest, she forces him to lay back down.

Jungkook looks ahead into the gloom, knowing he has to be the one to venture out.

"I will go" he state. Lowering himself into the water even as protests ring out from Dalena and his father. The ocean water gives Jungkook a cold embrace, welcoming him into it’s frothy arms. He winces as his barefoot brushes up against seaweed but slowly pushed it away unit he find even footing on the hallway floor. With water up to his chest. He knows he's at a clear disadvantage if anything sneaks up on him.

Better make this quick then.

He muses to himself as he moves further down the corridor. Spotting a broken candle holder. Jungkook arms himself with the pointed piece of metal. Although it is far from an adequate weapon, he knows it is better than nothing. At least now he has something to defend himself with.

Rounding a corner the cold seeps into his bones and jungkook suppresses the urge to cry. There isn’t time for that now. Ignoring his still burning hip, he keeps wading ahead listening intently for any sound of movement. The water laps quietly at the hallway furniture but all else is silent. The roaring wave and screaming wind from earlier are long gone replaced only with eerie emptiness.

Jungkook pauses, a strange feeling creeping over him.
Dread.

He has the distinct feeling that something is watching him. Maybe someone? His mother? He turns but no one is there.

A small fish suddenly jumps from the water landing back in with a splash. Jungkook yelps, silently cursing. He wonder what else is in the dark flood, then quickly banishes that thought. Imagining up nightmares will only discourage him.

He reaches another bend in the hallway. Carefully, he peers around the corner. Seeing only darkness at first Jungkook approaches.

The water appears different up ahead. He stretches out a hand to feel it and is greeted by warm liquid. A tangy smell hangs heavy in the air. Bringing his hand up close to her face Jungkook gags, recalling at the sight and smell of what he knows to be blood.