The Secrets of Serised

Several times they were jerked forwards uncomfortably as the current rounded a curve that the boat couldn’t negotiate fast enough. They lost track of time as minutes seemed to stretch into hours, until a single thought seemed to consume them: staying beneath the boat. The only light was the faint glow of Alden’s crystal-tipped staff, which had burst into light at his whispered words. They didn’t talk, unsure how much farther they would have to travel or even how long the air would last.

Xander, given the choice, thought that he would rather die quickly, dashed against a large rock, then slowly drown or suffocate. He forced himself to push the morbid thoughts from his mind; he had to be a leader. But they kept creeping back to the forefront. With no breath to talk and nothing to do but let himself be helplessly carried away by the Ssorc, he found there was nothing else to think about. What would death be like? he wondered. Frightening? Lonely? Peaceful?

No. Think about Lily. Focus on her.

Maybe it won’t be so bad . . .

Focus . . .

Xander realized that his thoughts were spiraling slowly out of control. He felt fuzzy, dazed, and tired. Though it took a great deal of effort to speak and hold himself afloat at the same time, he forced himself to do so. “What’s happening?” he said, his words sounding a little fuzzy, just like the rest of him.

“We’re running out of air. Do not speak. Calm your heart rate. We have to conserve it as long as possible, or we’ll lose consciousness and drown ourselves.”

Thaladria’s voice was matter-of-fact, and although Xander’s state made him want to ask more questions, something in her tone kept him silent. He was vaguely aware that this was a life-or-death situation, but as the minutes stretched on, he began to stop caring.

“Xander . . .” Estelle’s voice came from far away. It was so difficult to hear over the creak and groan of the boat raking at the rock above them. Xander wasn’t sure how long it had taken him to realize something was wrong.

That’s when he understood what it was. The lethargy brought on by the lack of oxygen wouldn’t let him act with the speed he knew he needed.

“Thaladria,” he croaked. “Thaladria, the roof is collapsing!”

But it was too late. He turned to look and saw that the girl was already unconscious, Alden holding her around the waist, fighting to keep her head above the water even as his eyes fought to close.

“No. No!” Xander exclaimed. “Got to stay awake. Got to do something.” But there was nothing they could do. The boat was roaring in protest as the cavern finally forced it to give way. Wood splinters shattered and rushed towards Xander’s face, carried by a wave of water that crashed down on their heads. The boat was torn apart and the four of them, tied and tangled in their rope, were thrown under the surface. Xander’s last thought as the darkness overtook him was of his failure.

Lily, I’m so sorry.