Janitors: The New Generation (Never To Be Finished)

"What are you doing?"

Teddy looked around as the Sweeper slowed down and entered the small compartment. Office supplies were floating around in the cool water and Teddy noticed more Sweepers, all Grime Sweepers, edging the walls looking stern. A desk was taped do with Glopified tape and a Sweeper sat in its chair. He was a burly man, with a mustache and devilish eyebrows with amphibious skin.
"So, you were snooping around my lab, were you?"  he man snarled, his forked rogue slithering out of his mouth. Teddy wanted to gag and by the looks of it, so did Claire. "Thought you could find some souvenirs to take back to your mama and papa?" the Sweeper asked, narrowing his bulged eyes.
"Uh, no. We came . . . e-exploring was all." Teddy stammered, trying to show confidence in his lie.
"Exploring huh? Under miles and miles of land and civilization? I don't think so, wrong answer." the leader barked and immediately, two of the Sweepers on the wall latched onto Claire's arms and dragged her closer to the lead Sweepers desk. Teddy tried to protest but the Sweeper silenced him.
"Now I'm going to ask again, why are you here?" he repeated more directly.
"We, uh-" Teddy racked his brain for a believable lie but nothing came. "Came to study?"
"Wrong. Answer." the Sweeper spat and then he snapped his fingers. On command, one of the Sweepers holding onto Claire's arms,leaned towards her and ripped off her mask, handing it to the leader. Claire slapped her hands over her mouth and then glanced at Teddy pleadingly. Teddy returned her worried gaze, frantically thinking.
"I hope you"ll answer me correctly this time or your sister dies, now, why are you here?" the Sweeper asked for a third time, a little too impatient. Teddy didn't know what to do; risk blowing their cover or risk Claire's life? He grit his teeth, and made a decision. Reaching into his belt, he pulled out a pinch of vac dust. I hope this works, he thought, and threw it at one of the Sweepers. Immediately, the Sweeper was suctioned to the floor while the others stood there frozen in shock.
"Get them!" the leader shrieked once he could speak. "No on escapes the clutches of The Uprising!" Teddy threw three more pinches of dust at the remaining Sweepers then gripped Claire's wrist, and swam out of the office.
Teddy glanced at Claire's hand and noticed she still had the toilet brush gripped in her fist; and that her eyes were closed. Oh no! She'll never make it out of here alive! Stopping, Teddy took the brush from Claire's hand and then looked around. No Sweepers were coming so he had just enough time. With his heart thumping in his chest, Teddy closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then removed his mask. After putting the mask's straps on around Claire's ears and over her mouth and nose, Teddy pushed the button on the toilet brush and sped off down the hallway once more. Teddy glanced at Claire as they flew through the water and noticed her eyes flutter; and then she had a coughing fit.
"T-Teddy?" She croaked once she could speak. He made an 'affirmative' noise. Then Claire realized the situation. "Teddy! What are you doing? Your going to die before we even get out of here!" Claire exclaimed. "Here, take my mask so you can breath." Claire took a weak breath but Teddy placed his hand over her mask and shook his head. "Teddy . . . " Claire said, getting choked up. "Please don't do this. Your my only brother and I need you." Teddy's eyes misted but his tears were caught up in the ocean water. He looked forward again and burst into open water. He turned the brush off and Claire gasped. The Port-a-potty was gone! Teddy's lungs burned as doom flooded over him and he put a hand over his chest. Claire noticed and protested.
"Teddy! Your going to drown! Take my mask!" she exclaimed. Teddy narrowed his eyes in thought. "You can't last another few miles down here!" Claire screamed, sensing his consideration. "Take my mask Teddy! We have to get out of here together!" Claire said and then broke into quiet sobs. Teddy looked at her and an idea broke into his mind. He tapped her on the shoulder and she looked up. He pointed to himself then to Claire.
"What do you mean?" she asked. Teddy grit his teeth in frustration and made a puckered face thanks to shortness of breath. He wanted to breath but he was never going to if she didn't understand! He pointed one finger at himself and the other at Claire then switched there positions and repeated. Claire's eyes sparkled in recognition. "We could trade off as we go up!" Teddy nodded vigorously and then pointed to his chest. "Oh! Right!" Taking a deep breath, Claire removed the mask and gave it to Teddy. Teddy put it on and let the water drain. Once it did, he inhaled deeply and greatly.
"Alright, let's go." he said. Claire nodded and grabbed Teddy's hand. He turned on the toilet brush and began rising from the bottom of the ocean with Claire in tow.
After about fifteen seconds, Claire tapped Teddy's leg. He nodded and sucked in a breath and handed her the mask. She took it and looked up to the surface. It was a ways away. Then Teddy thought he heard something in the distance. He looked down and to his horror, saw the Sweepers rapidly catching up. He kicked Claire softly. She looked down and then whipped her head back up and looked at Teddy. He held out his hand to her. She took a breath and handed him the mask. He put it on, gulped and took a deep breath then gave it back.
"Teddy? What are you doing? What do you have in mind?" Claire asked, concern creeping into her voice. Teddy shook his head and reached into her belt for the second toilet brush. Once he found it, he carefully put his brush in Claire's hand and sent her flying after the surface, leaving him.
"Teddy!" shrieked Claire, reaching her hand to him even though Teddy was plenty out of reach. He looked down to the approaching Sweepers. Okay, Claire's safe. Now I just need to figure out to get out of this. Teddy turned on the brush and faced it down, towards the Sweepers. They had sneers on their faces and they smacked their lips hungrily. Teddy widened his eyes. These Sweepers were going to kill him! Teddy turned his brush and flew the other way. The Sweepers gave chase. Teddy looked up to see Claire zooming towards the surface. Teddy smiled to himself and flew on. The Sweepers were right behind him.
"Come here boy!" the nearest one snarled. Teddy grit his teeth and began going serpentine. The Sweepers growled and tried their best to copy him but the choppiness of their swimming wasn't helping. Teddy smiled wickedly to himself and made for the surface. That's when one of the Sweepers grabbed onto his ankle and yanked him down. Teddy cried out, sending precious bubbles to the surface as he covered his mouth. The Sweeper pulled him down to his face. It was the leader.
"I'm gonna kill you right now!" he snarled and began stroking down. He noticed Teddy's brush and snatched it out of his hand. "Let's get rid of this so you have less chance of escape." With that, the Sweeper snapped the toilet brush in half and tossed it away, carrying on. Teddy's lungs were screaming. He desperately fought the urge to suck in water. He looked around desperately for Claire but she was nowhere in sight. Teddy looked into the bulging eyes of the Sweeper. He chuckled.
"I can tell your about ready to give up so I don't have to kill you," he said. "Your reflexes will do the job nicely." The Sweeper stopped and stared at him, waiting.
Teddy's chest was on fire. Sweat broke out along his brow which was quickly swept away in the ocean's salty water. Teddy's throat tightened. His arms went to his chest. He was going to die, and on his first mission. Teddy closed his eyes and let air flood out of his lungs, falling into unconsciousness.

~

How do you like my cliffhanger? Mwahahahahahaha!