[CLOSED] The Undiscovered Gems Competition (UGC) - 2014

4. Purple: Time Loop by gossamersilverglow

Whatpad Name: gossamersilverglow

Tittle: Time Loop

Genera(s): Mystery/ Thriller

Personal Message to the audience:

I’m new to the competition scene and have only recently been entering my stories. Super surprised I even made the shortlist in this competition. I’ve read some of the other stuff in the top fifteen and they all definitely deserve the spot they got. The judges did a great job, which means it’s going to be harder for the readers. If you have the time I’d love a vote! I write because I need to. Love doing it too. And the readers/reviewers amplify the experience that much more. Thanks for taking the time to read!

Synopsis: 

[You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…]

I held my breath. It was time. I saw the trust in your eyes when I found the way inside. All of you were ready for this ride. You followed me, like you always do. The sun beat down on us as we dove in, ready to explore the cave within. Like dolphins to water, without a doubt. That bright turquoise hue was meant to illuminate you.

[…you make me happy when skies are gray]

I didn’t have a clue that inside that deep blue was actually pain there waiting for you. Waiting for us. We were trapped. Caught in the horror of life to death. Frank was the last to dive in, the last in line, and the first to die. The blood seeped from the slashes on his chest and I watched as he took his last breath. He was family, you see, my cousin’s father. Following in the footsteps of his own daughter, searching for adventure. Searching for life, but destined to pay the price. Without a doubt, like dolphins to water.

[You’ll never know dear how much I love you.]

Now we’re here, trembling in fear, huddled in corners. On repeat. Caught in a time loop of my mistakes, trapped in the cave we‘d claimed. Trying to retreat just to experience defeat. We dive, he dies. We dive, he dies. We dive, we die.

[Please don’t take my sunshine away.]

Shouldn’t I have felt it? Shouldn’t I have known, that we would all die in a wet cave of stone?

Chapter 1: 

Bile rose in her throat. Her heart pumped fast as she forced herself to breathe. She glanced at the dirty, scared faces, before turning back toward the rippling water-filled tunnel. She’d thought that tunnel would lead them to an untouched paradise. But the once turquoise water was laced with tendrils of blood. It was reaching out, as if the blood itself was beckoning them to die.

"We can't stay here forever."

Tommy.

Tommy was the beautiful brave boy that had lived a few houses down from Dani throughout their childhood. The boy that would do anything for her…and he had, him being here now proved it. They'd grown up together and he'd loved her since the day she'd punched him in the face for falling into her, successfully stealing her first kiss. He'd followed her through college, majored in Marine Biology so he could be of use to her. He even asked to marry her once they'd graduated, but not her. Not Dani. She couldn’t be tied down. She'd been too blind to anything other than exploring. Too blind to recognize the wonderful life he promised.

Her heart broke at the sound of his deep voice continuing his speech and Dani quickly turned away, her mouth dropping open in a silent sob as tears spilled over her eyelids. He knew what was waiting for them if they all jumped in. Death. They were going to die. It was inevitable. Yet he was so adamant to go back through that narrow deathtrap, like he thought any of them had a chance. He always was the adventurous type, which is why she'd come to him first for this expedition.