The P.U.L.L || #Wattys2017

Chapter 8: Drowned Again

The plane circled towards the ground. People began stumbling and panicking. A few sat still, mumbling something about being saved. The passengers were all in a state of confusion. Everyone didn't know what to do, and all of them think that they're probably going to die in this crash. All of them thought of that, all of them except,

"Um, guys, they're actually handing out parachutes right now, mind if we get some?" Rick asked, still as calm as ever.

" Yes, I do mind!" Emma seriously said. "Whatever we do, we cannot afford to leave this plane."

"What do you mean?" Joshua asked her.

"The PULL is at work here, and do you know what my laptop showed before I handed it to Rick? It foretold that the three of us would be eaten by killer whales."

"Really?! But killer whales attacking humans are rare." Rick said.

"We're talking about the PULL here. " Emma said. "We stay here until the killer whales go away. If they don't, then we don't have a choice."

In the end, the three of them didn't get any parachutes. People lined up to the opened hatch on the airplane's floor. All of them were so nervous about the crash. A few of the passengers glanced at them, perplexed.

Now we really looked like weirdos. Joshua thought after seeing a few concerned looks. The plane's crashing and we're just sitting here comfortably while all of them pushed at each other just so they could jump from the plane faster. Well, it's not like they would get eaten by the killer whales anyways. The only targets of the killer whales are us, think.

After a few moments, only the three of them were left inside the plane. The plane became significantly almost at sea level and the thought of jumping became pointless. Everyone landed safely on the ocean and it relieved them when they saw no signs of approaching killer whales

They braced for impact as the cockpit made contact with the water. They heard a scraping sound as the water bent the hull out of shape. A few passengers were affected by the impact but no one seemed to get hurt. The three of them, however, were thrown right out of their seats as the water stopped the plane from the fall.

"So, when do we get out?" Rick finally asked, after regaining his balance.

"After we make sure that the killer whales left, or something like that." Emma replied.

"Um, guys...look." Joshua said as he pointed right to the window.

Rick and Emma followed his gaze, at least three killer whales surrounded the passengers in water. The passengers were alarmed as they huddled together in the center. The killer whales, however, paid no attention to them.

They're looking for us. Joshua thought. Emma was right, killer whales were really going to eat us. Good thing we didn't jump off this plane.

After a moment, the killer whales went away. All of them were relieved that no one was eaten. But still, the three of them were quite worried about their position. The plane's gradually sinking and there's no way out. They could open the window, but a great pressure would push them back right inside, unless they find a good handhold and hung in there while the water fill the plane up. Still, that idea has its own disadvantages.

"So, what do we do next?" Rick asked. "It's getting darker and darker right outside or something like that."

"Ahhh, we wait until we die." Emma replied.

"Don't get into that kind of stuff, Emma." Joshua said.

"Well, let's stick to our idea, you know, opening the window and stuff." Emma casually said.

"The pressure's gonna kill us!" Rick said.

"Not all of us, that's why we're relying on you, Rick."

Rick gulped. He knew what Emma was talking about. Since he was a kid, he already had great strength and stamina. However, he never really tried going to his limits, like fighting a huge pressure of water, for example. He never really planned on doing it right from the start. It would certainly leave him injured, or worse with a broken arm.

He looked at the window. I don't have any choice! I need to do it right now, or else we'll all be killed!

He grabbed a fire extinguisher right behind their seat. He still wondered who put it there. It has been there since they boarded the plane. For emergency purposes, I guess, such as fire and stuff.

He put all his strength into breaking the window, even though a light tap would have broken it, due to the water pressure. He held Joshua's arm.

"Hug Emma!" Rick immediately told him.

"Say wha..."

He wasn't able to finish what he was about to say. Not because Emma immediately hugged her, but because the water pressure suddenly slammed against his face. He held on to Rick, feeling the strain the pressure has been putting to his arm. He could feel his arm about to come off, but still, he endured.

Rick, on the other hand, began gritting his teeth. The moment the window broke, he immediately grabbed the window frame. The pressure was more intense than he had ever felt before. Pain stung both his arms, not to mention his body. But still, he can't afford to let go. He knew that it'd be his fault if Emma and Joshua were to drown.

A minute or two passed, the pressure lessened, and the plane's almost filled with water. Joshua forced a smile. You did well, Rick. He thought. If you were a normal human being, that intense pressure would have torn your arm right off. I guess that's what would have happened to me, had it been me. He told himself.

The plane was now filled with water. However, it has taken a toll on Rick and Emma. Both of them fainted and Joshua had to drag them out of the plane and towards the surface of the water. Although trained through drowning to the point of death (due to the drowning accident at his place before), it was no easy task for Joshua to hold his breath for that long.

He struggled, pushing both of them upwards. He knew that both of them are still alive. His sight became black and unconsciousness slowly crept to him. Still, he swam upwards. He could feel that the waters began to get less colder and it encouraged him. He could feel the pressure lessening right around him. I must be close to the surface right now. He thought.

He felt his head coming out of the water. He could feel that he's still holding both Rick and Emma.

Then suddenly, he reached his limit. His sight completely blacked out.

And he lost consciousness.