riptide- outer banks

eighty-three | full kook

〰⋅〰⋅〰

Kori's lungs filled with much needed oxygen as her head desperately broke through the surface of the water. Her eyes flew open, flashlight immediately being raised in the air. She moved around in the water, turning to her right just as Logan's head bobbed up next to her. A palpable aura of relief crossed her face as he met her gaze.

"What is this place?" Sarah asked, pulling their attention to the chamber they'd entered.

No one said anything.

"Guys, look. There's something over there." John B piped up, light flickering to the area.

"Okay. Let's go." Sarah responded, not hesitating to make her way to it.

Kori scooped her arms through the water, legs kicking to propel her forward. Logan was right next to her as the four of them reached the narrow aperture. One look and Logan was not about to go into that deathtrap.

"Hell, no. No. I ain't doing that." He voiced, head shaking.

John B turned back to him before Kori could say anything, dark eyes filled with grit. "Yes, you can, Logan. You can do it, okay? You already made it this far, man. Don't stop now."

Both girls had their eyes on him, intently watching as his jaw tensed. "Shit. Fine." He gave in, a tense breath following.

"You got it." Kori murmured.

All he could do was nod his head as he climbed up onto the rough terrain, barely able to fit inside the tight space. The only thing he could think to do to not totally lose his shit was to not think. If he didn't think about how easily it would be for him to get stuck there, his mind wouldn't race with every possible scenario of what could go wrong.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit." He sputtered in a quiet voice, palms digging into the rock as he finally pulled himself out of the narrow hole.

He wasn't the first one out of the fissure, but he was the first one on his feet. John B had to smile at that as his hand came up to clasp his shoulder. "See? You did it."

"Barely." Logan responded, heavily exhaling. His brow came together as he shined his light in another direction. "How deep do you think this thing goes?"

"Deep." Kori answered, entirely focused on the opening further inside.

Logan had his eyes on her though. "Helpful. Thank you."

She turned to him, smiling. "You're welcome."

He was about to respond when his flashlight suddenly cut out. His eyes went wide, a sense of panic beginning to engulf him as he lifted his head. As he did so, though, Kori's flashlight went out next. Then John B's.

"Okay. Um, flares, flares." Sarah urged, her device subsequently flickering out.

A thick darkness enveloped them, quickly being replaced by a cardinal hue as John B lit the flare. It provided just enough light, almost illuminating more of the cave than their flashlights had. They all breathed out sighs of relief, meeting each other's gazes.

"Twenty minutes per flare." John B announced.

"Three flares." Kori echoed, glancing at Sarah.

"Sixty minutes." She clarified, eyes lastly settling on her brother.

Logan just shook his head. "Thirty minutes in. Thirty minutes out."

"Okay. Let's go." John B concluded, starting forward again.

Kori stayed a step behind Logan, careful as to not leave too big a gap. She wasn't scared of anything down there, but more so afraid of being left there by herself. Having him, John B, and Sarah by her side made her feel much more safe than if she was alone. The mere thought of getting lost down there sent a shiver down her spine.