Diver's Heart

by K. A Knight

  Like something falling into water…

  It could be a stone, but it could also be one of those creatures. Hell, I probably saw them before when I was diving. How long have they been living down here? What do they even feed—fuck, the skeleton!

  Nope, please tell me these creepy flying fuckers didn’t eat somebody.

  The plop sounds again, louder this time, and I slow my breathing, trying not to make any noise. They hunt on sound, that much is obvious, maybe even smell. Something swims by me, and I watch it with wide eyes, my torch shining on the dark shape in the water.

  I stay motionless until it passes, and then I let a shallow breath escape. Think, Andrews. Kalen’s voice echoes in my head, making my heart hurt. Fuck, I really hope he’s okay. I didn’t even think about it before I leapt, I just saw him in trouble and needed to help. Regardless of how much he hates me, he’s still my family, and I would do anything for him.

  Even die.

  But now I’m alone, surrounded by monstrous creatures in the underbelly of the earth. What a shit show. Keeping still in case it’s still close, I sweep my light around, catching on a low rock formation farther in the section I’m in—maybe some dry land?

  Okay, time to move, Andrews.

  Swallowing my nerves, I keep my knife close and eyes alert as I slowly start to wade to the rock, but nearly halfway there, I hear the screech a moment before one of those creatures dive-bombs me from the ceiling. I’m flung underwater, my light slipping from my hand. Trying to keep my breathing calm, I turn my head and block its sharp teeth and claws with my arm, but I almost scream when I feel its talons rake down my side.

  Fuck.

  Motherfucker. I swipe out with my knife wildly, unable to see in the dark water, but we sink deeper and deeper, its weight pulling us down into the black void. I stab and slice, and I hear it cry before its talons suddenly release me.

  I waste no time.

  I push upward, kicking my legs and using my arms as I feel my blood polluting the water. I see a light farther up, my lungs screaming because I didn’t get to take a full breath before I went under.

  I kick harder, breaking the surface just as I feel like my lungs are going to pop. Dragging in lungfuls of air, I look around. I don’t see any others, so maybe it was just one? I spot my light near the rocks, and I dive under the water to swim to it, knowing it will be quieter, unless they are lurking down here. I have the horrible feeling something is under me, but I don’t look, I stay focused and keep swimming until I reach my light. I grab it, and the water is shallow enough for me to sit again.

  Licking my lips, breathing heavily, I shine it onto the rocks. I can’t see much from down here, so being brave, I pull myself up onto an outcropping, crouching at the edge before I freeze. It’s wide, stretching across the space up to the cave wall at the back—and filled with the creatures.

  Fuck, this is their goddamn sleeping area. There has to be hundreds of them curled up and slumbering as they release small, screeching snores. I gape, unsure what the hell to do. I can take one, maybe two, but this many? They would rip me apart in seconds. I debate going back into the water and diving to find another way when I see it.

  A tunnel.

  It’s right behind them, of fucking course. It looks like my only way out. Okay, I can do this. I give myself a quick pep talk before slowly pulling my bag around. I bind my cuts to stifle the scent of my blood before resealing my bag and slipping it back onto my shoulders, eyeing the creatures the whole time.

  Okay, I have to be quiet.

  Getting to my feet, I attempt to find the best path to the tunnel. I pick up my foot, shining the light on my path as I lightly set my foot down. It’s slow going as I avoid the sleeping creatures, but when I put my foot down the next time, the stones under it crunch. I halt, my eyes wide as they begin to stir.

  Fuck!

  I rush to the edge of the rock and dive swiftly into the water, not wanting to risk it. I hear them screeching and flying, but I stay under, keeping my eyes open, the light shining, and knife poised. They don’t seem to know where I am, however, and I know I can stay down for at least eleven minutes, so I relax and wait.

  Slowly, the screeching stops. I hear flapping wings, and just when I start running out of air, it goes silent. I wait a bit longer before swimming up. Barely breaking the surface, I peer around to see where they all are. When nothing happens, I head over to the rock and silently climb up. That tunnel is my way out, and I will get to it.

  The rock is half empty now. I don’t know where the others went, but it’s better for me. I crouch lower this time and nearly slide my feet along the rock, taking long steps, almost lunging across. The quicker the better. I dare not tie my torch to my side in case it scrapes on the rock, and I have to make sure to grab my air tank so it doesn’t either. The whole time, I’m aware of how vulnerable I am, causing my heart to hammer so loudly, I’m surprised they can’t hear it. I try to avoid getting too close to them so they can’t smell my blood, but when I somehow manage to make it across to the channel, I spot a big fucker right in front of the exit.

  Of course.

  Rolling my lips inwards, I hold my breath as I lift my leg and place it on the other side of his body, but he’s large so I have to hop over him. I land on the other side and teeter forward, swinging my arms as I almost hit the wall. I manage to recover and freeze, but nothing happens, so I duck into the tunnel and begin to crawl hurriedly, finally letting my breath out.

  Never thought I would say this, but I hate this fucking cave.

  I come to a curve in the tunnel about two hours later. Feeling safe, I place the light on a small shelf in the rock and pull my bag open, sipping some water before I uncover my side and inspect the wound. It’s still oozing blood from the three long talon cuts. Well, I guess it’s just more scars to prove I survived. I almost laugh at that.

  No, I’m not fucking losing it.

  I have something small to eat and cover the wound again, binding it tight with a hiss. As I’m packing my bag, a noise reaches me, so I freeze and turn my head. I spot it almost too late. One of the creatures is crawling from the direction I was going. I press back against the wall and hold my breath as it practically stops in front of me, scraping its talons along the floor. Keeping my eyes on the monster, I glance down to try and find my knife.

  Fuck, I put it down next to my light. I inch towards it, but it sniffs the air, so I stop. It lifts its head, its nose holes flaring, and turns its head as if to see me. Fuck, the blood! On the floor is a strip of cloth I used to clean my wound, and it has blood on it.

  It screeches and dives at it in a flurry of wings and talons, and I have no choice but to scrunch closer to the wall and wait it out. It’s only a couple of minutes, but it feels like forever before it finally moves on. I let out a sigh but wait to move in case it’s nearby.

  A few minutes later, I grab my bag, light, and knife and get moving. I need to find the others. There has to be a tunnel leading to one of the ones we explored. I bet they think something horrible has happened, I just hope they aren’t losing their shit.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  RIGGS

  “I’m going, and that’s the fucking end of it,” I snarl, squaring off with Tyler.

  His eyes narrow, and I duck the punch he aims my way. Fin gets between us, grabbing both of our shirts as we pant and fume. “You two fucking quit it! We have more important things than this. Our girl is out there, maybe hurt, probably scared, so get it to-fucking-gether. We’re all going. We’re going to get our brother and find our girl and get the hell out of this stupid fucking cave system, and then I’ll spend at least two weeks in bed with her. Anyone got a fucking problem with that? I’m not above dick punches!” he warns, glaring.

  Tyler scowls at him, ready to begin yelling again when Michael shouts. “Will you all cut it out? The only family I have is missing, and the caves we’re in are filled with man-eating creatures. Get your fucking act together and start acting like a goddamn
leader!” he bellows, his voice booming around us. “We’ll stay, you guys go. You find my minnow and you bring her back. Work together and get this shit done. Anybody got a fucking problem with that?” he roars, looking us over.

  I rip out of Fin’s arms and stuff things into my bag, fuming, but under that anger is fear. Fear we won’t find Pey, that she’s not alive. That she died alone and scared. I hate myself. I should have been with her. I should have kissed her, told her I loved her, and forgave her instead of being a shy fucking asshole. Statistics keep running through my head, and none of them are comforting, so I ignore them and focus on counting my supplies and double-checking everything.

  Everyone is silent as we all pack, ready to go after them. Michael is watching Kalen and keeping him updated, but we have to go in after them, especially Pey. I don’t give a fuck about some bat creatures. With how I’m feeling, I’ll kill all of them.

  “Riggs.” Tyler sighs and steps up next to me. I grind my teeth but look up to see his expression is lost and resigned. He swallows and glances away. “I-I can’t lose her,” he whispers.

  “I know,” I reply, but for once, I finish the sentence I never dared to before. “None of us can, can’t you see that? Stop being so selfish. We all love her, and right now, we’re all scared, but arguing between ourselves won’t help. We need to work fast and hard and then we might just stand a chance of finding her. Michael’s right—get it together. You’re our leader, so lead,” I snap before grabbing my mask and storming away.

  Fin falls in step next to me, whistling. “Goddamn. Welcome to the party, Riggs, here is your man card.”

  I roll my eyes, even as a smile curls my lips. “We…we’ll find her, won’t we?” he asks as we reach the pool. I swallow and look up at him.

  “We have to,” I answer, not mentioning the likelihood of us never finding her. We haven’t explored even half of this system. She could be anywhere, and that fall… Not to mention the attack.

  If she is alive, it’s a miracle, but I will never give up on her. I’ll find her and then never let her go again. “Riggs,” Fin calls and grabs my shoulder, looking into my eyes.

  “She knows,” he murmurs.

  “She does?” I question. “How?

  He chuckles. “Not everyone is as bad as you are at peopling. She knows we love her, it’s why she left, but she’s back now, okay? What’s a few man and woman eating creatures to deal with?” He winks, and then we both become silent as Tyler heads over, ready to dive.

  Before we get into the water, he turns to us, his expression controlled, and it seems he’s back in control of himself. Thank fuck. Kalen is the only drama queen we need. “I’m sorry,” he offers. “I shouldn’t have attacked you like that. I know we’re all worried.”

  “Ty, man, we get it. You don’t have to say sorry. Family forever,” Fin says, and Tyler smiles.

  Tyler goes to walk away but stills. “We’ll have to talk about…the other thing later.”

  “You mean the fact we’re all in love with the same woman?” Fin laughs. “I don’t see the issue. Peyton is too much for one person anyway.”

  “Fin’s right, and honestly, we were all pretty much in a relationship back then, just without the…physical aspects. You have to see that, Ty,” I reason.

  He nods but scrubs at his face. “Fuck, I thought it was bad enough that my brother loved her, but you two assholes as well? Shit, this is so weird. Okay, let’s find her first, and then we can deal with this.”

  “But…you don’t hate us?” I inquire, worry lacing my tone.

  He looks at me and smiles. “Brother, I could never hate you, and I guess I always knew deep down. It’s weird, I will give you that, and I might be a jealous prick, but honestly? It doesn’t bother me as much as I thought it would.” He turns away, and Fin and I share a look.

  Did Tyler just give us permission to be in love with his girl?

  KALEN

  The screeches stopped about a mile back when they couldn’t get through this section of the tunnel, but I keep moving, not giving myself time to think. My conditioning from the army is coming in handy. I still hear Peyton’s scream, but I use it, letting it fuel me and push me forward. I’m intent on finding her. My legs and feet are bleeding from their talons, and the pain surges through me with each step, but I don’t give a fuck.

  I’ve had worse—not physically but emotionally, when I lost my princess the first time. I won’t lose her again, this is nothing in comparison.

  “You still there, asshole?” Michael asks.

  “Yes,” I snap.

  “Good, don’t die. I would hate to have to tell Peyton it wasn’t me who killed you.” He laughs, and I roll my eyes. I get why she likes him, hell, I can even appreciate his honesty. “Your friends have just gone in. They are going to go slow and see if they can find her, so just keep moving. I’m here with you.”

  “Comforting,” I mutter, making him chuckle again.

  “Does that attitude really make Peyton like you?” he inquires curiously.

  “She doesn’t care, she likes arguing with me,” I tell him, unsure why.

  “I bet. That girl loves a good fight, but here’s an idea, slick, maybe try being nice to her for once,” he suggests.

  “Shut up, old man,” I scoff as I round a corner.

  “Just saying, kid, you wanna keep your girl? Get her some flowers, call her pretty, buy snacks, and rub her back once in a while. She might like the whole asshole thing, but that doesn’t mean she wants it all the time.”

  “Oh God, how the fuck do I shut you up?”

  “Also, if you hurt her again, you don’t have to worry about those little fuckers in there with you. I will rip you apart myself, understood?”

  I hang my head, groaning. “Fuck, talk about something else, like how you two met,” I say desperately, trying to stop him from diving into Peyton’s and my relationship.

  “She found me drunk and passed out, offered me a job. Told me if I wanted it to get sober and be at the docks the next morning. I turned up, don’t know why, but I never looked back since,” he shares, love evident in his voice. “She saved me.”

  “Yeah, she has a way of doing that,” I mutter. I almost stop myself from asking, but no one else is really there to hear me. “Did she ever talk about us?”

  “Nah, I think it hurt her too much,” he replies.

  My heart twinges at that as I scramble over a rubble section and keep crawling, ignoring the pain and exhaustion. “But she was okay, right?”

  “Honestly, kid? She was heartbroken. She was just surviving, moving from dive to dive and looking for a thrill so she didn’t have to feel. I know what heartbreak looks like, why do you think I started drinking? She was so fucking broken. She did good though, kept going and made a life for herself, but I don’t want her hurt again. She’s finally started to smile and laugh, so don’t fucking hurt her.”

  I swallow and close my eyes for a moment. “I don’t want to,” I admit.

  “Did she ever tell you my story?” he asks.

  “No,” I grunt.

  “My family was killed in an accident, a stupid fucking car crash. It took my little girl and my wife at the same time. She was pregnant with our second child. I was so fucking excited to be a daddy again, and then they were just gone. I couldn’t function, couldn’t breathe. I even tried to kill myself, but I couldn’t go through with it. So I tried drinking myself to death. I’ve seen a lot in this world, and I know the depths of darkness you can sink to, but if you give that girl half a chance, she will shine light into that gloom and save you. My advice? Don’t let her go again. If there was anything I could do to hold my girls again, even just for a second…to see their faces, their smiles, there is nothing I wouldn’t do. Nothing. Don’t let her get away, or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life and end up like me—an old, washed-up, drunk sailor.”

  I hear a noise and swear, moving faster. I let his words resonate in my head. I don’t think I could let her walk away agai
n anyway, but is he right? Can she save me from the demons in my soul? From the blood on my hands? The nightmares that plague me? And if she did, wouldn’t I just be ruining her with all that darkness?

  Do I care?

  No, because Peyton Andrews is the love of my life, and even if it’s selfish and wrong, I will never go without her again, even to save her from me.

  It makes me redouble my efforts to get out of this fucking tunnel and find her. Turning my head, I spot one of the little assholes behind me. Fuck this. I see a light up ahead and throw myself out of the tunnel, landing hard on the rocks below. Flipping, I grab my knife, and as the creature flies from the tunnel with a screech, I throw myself up and hit it mid-air, slicing across its throat. Blood spurts on my face as we fall to the ground. Panting, I get to my feet, glare down at the little bastard, and spit.

  “Not so tough now, are you?” I laugh before looking around.

  I’m in some kind of cavern. It’s small and circular and leads down to what looks like a submerged area. Fuck. I search for any other way out, but when I hear the screeching coming from the tunnel I emerged from, I stop at the water.

  Here’s hoping Pey is down there. I dive in, put my mask on underwater, and turn on the lights, keeping my knife in hand as I dive deeper and deeper, swimming around stalagmites. It’s not just a passage, it’s a whole underwater cavern.

  I swim close to the floor so none can attack me from below. The ceiling is high, I can see it from here, and the room twists and turns as I keep swimming. I hear something enter the water with me and turn to look. They cut easily through the water, heading straight for me. Obviously, they hear my regulator.

  There are three of them. If I keep swimming, they will surround me and attack me from behind. No, I need to kill them, then there will be less of these fuckers to hurt my girl.

  I have no choice. I glance around and quickly form a plan. I duck behind stalagmites, using them like a shield. They split up, and I swim out, stabbing one before sliding around the rock and chasing another. It spins, slashing at me, and I have to lurch back, but I catch its wing and rip it to pieces. When I turn around, the third is on me. His beaked face smashes into my mask, cracking it. I struggle, stirring the water around us, and the silt makes it hard to see as we fight.