JELLYFISH

ENDING 02: HOME

There was a sudden pound in [name]'s head as they swam up the curve of the green-lit rocks with the other two. For a moment, they almost thought another monster had invaded the area, and this one was about to cause the most mind-splitting headache of all time, which [name] would've accepted if they didn't have to do all this over again... But, it didn't look like the others felt this headache and concluded that they were just tired.

[name] swam passed Emil who lingered at the opening of the first airlock, head tilted up to gaze at the long, metal leg that saved the existence of humanity from a singular Searchlight. Not too impressive, but it was much more than what [name] could do.

I can turn back time by dying, [name] thought with a furrow of their brow, but, I guess the dying part isn't really too appealing.

Nobody sane would choose to die and turn back time at a singular moment over ridding the world of one evil.

[name] came to when Evelyn nudged gently against [name]'s shoulder. They were staring outwards at the deep blue, hovering near the metal switch that was attached to the railing to their right. They were blocking it, on accident of course. [name] wouldn't deprive the others of their escape. [name] pulled the lever(after making sure Emil was in the airlock), flinching as a creak broke the quiet of the waters and the metal doors shifted and pushed together, sealing with the heavy cogs turning tight.

They turned behind them now, lifting their head just slightly as the salt water drained downwards and engulfed them instead into the cold air that clung to their sad, drenched bodies. [name] pried the diving mask off their face, releasing it immediately to let small, cold droplets of water slide down from the top of their face to their chin.

A strangled, muffled cry came from [name]'s right as Evelyn fell knees first to the floor. It sent a jolt through [name]'s heart, but their feet didn't move to help her. Emil did it in their stead, only having to step over once to be at her side, a hand coming to rest upon her back.

[name] leaned backward, feeling the metal of the device they had pulled press hard against their jumpsuit. They felt the weight of the wind-up flashlight press against their hip, having been jostled around while they were outside and fixing the cables. Now, as if sensing [name]'s recognition that it was still there, it became heavier. You haven't forgotten what he said?

They had, but now, just now, they remembered.

"If you have to use it, use it. Then come find me." Those were Sebastian's words as he handed them the wind-up flashlight, showing them the mechanism inside. At that time, [name] didn't know where they were going to use it or how it'd even work. None of the others were aware [name] had even had such a thing stored away, they only saw it was a flashlight.

Evelyn stood up slowly, using the railing to her right as support as the giant, metal gates in front of them clunked and pulled apart, sending more, stale air at their face. The stairs that they had walked down with five taunted them quietly, as now they only had three. [name] swallowed hard, and a strange, different kind of fear struck [name]'s heart as the chime of the PA system rang in their head.

"We would like to apologize for Lucy suddenly moving like that. We..." He paused for a moment, a loud silence grabbing them by the throat, "didn't issue any move commands for her, and will look into why she did that later." [name]'s eyes darted nervously down at the lump of the wind-up flashlight that sat inside their jumpsuit. Did they know?

"That is not important right now though. A submarine will be surfacing shortly, at a nearby dock to get you out of there. Follow the marked path, it'll lead you straight to the dock. Good work."

The PA chimed again, submerging the three in, once again, heavy silence. They stepped out of the airlocks, each step an uncomfortable squish that left [name] feeling sick.