Water surrounded him. A vast, never-ending expanse of deep blue.

He couldn't breathe.

In the distance, SOMETHING large and made up of long, black tendrils darted around in the murk.

His heart violently pounded at his chest.

He was sinking, and SOMETHING was following him. Waiting.

His lungs screamed for air.

SOMETHING laughed, a dark, horrible sound, distorted by the salty water surrounding them.

Deeper and deeper he went. The more he sank, the more SOMETHING seemed to be enjoying itself.

Light became nothing more than a distant memory; darker, darker, yet darker still...

SOMETHING laughed again, this time darting past him into the blackness below.

He was alone.

Alone and terrified.

He opened his mouth to cry for help, but water immediately filled his mouth, and he choked. But there was no air to offer relief, and he coughed again, expelling water and precious air from his lungs, but he couldn't stop, not now, not when his instincts had taken over. He was desperate for air, kicking up, fighting to stay concious.

But he was too late. He had sank far too deep, and SOMETHING nearly died of laughter at his feeble attempts.

His lungs were on fire. His mind was beginning to drift away. His movements slowed, then stilled.

SOMETHING wrapped a tendril over his eyes, and he gave up.

~ ~ ~ 

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