Chapter Text
Simon was panicking, even if it wasn't visible. The expression he wore was concentrated, his attention aimed towards keeping his current order of tasks—move the levers of the control panel, mark the route on his makeshift map, hit the camera to check his surroundings, then repeat the process all over again.
Aside from his set jaw and the small beads of sweat dripping down his forehead, there were little signs of stress. If anything, he would've blamed the latter on the sweltering heat of the hull that's been getting worse by the minute.
He didn't want to acknowledge the dread that had a death grip on his heart. Acknowledging it meant giving into the reality that he wasn't going to make it out of this alive—that this wasn't an expedition, but an execution.
That outcome was staring him straight in the face after the sub detached due to that thing, leaving him abandoned at the bottom of this god-forsaken ocean with so little oxygen left. The odds weren't in his favor, never were from the start, but he'd lose his sanity faster if he let those pessimistic thoughts plague his mind.
So, he busied himself with finding his way back, to where he'd be able to find a signal for the intercom again. At this point, he could care less about finding anything else. He already obtained the skeletal sample, now he just needed to find his way back to the station where they could haul him up. He knew that was wishful thinking, but it was the only thing keeping him going right now.
Simon's head was throbbing by the twentieth time he trailed back to mark the map with the charcoal pencil pinched between his fingers. There was no doubt in his mind that he sustained a concussion when the sub dropped, seeing as all the metal around him wasn't exactly a suitable cushion for his head to land on. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything he could do but bear through the pain—the alcohol he drank helped dull it a little bit, thankfully.
He dragged his hand down his face, exhaustion creeping in due to the physical strain on his bruised muscles, making his body ache even more. All he wanted to do was rest, to collapse on the ground and be over with it all, but that wasn't an option unless he wanted to slowly suffocate. So, he begrudgingly trailed over to the photo button, needing to get a visual of his surroundings before he continued on with this tedious pattern.
His bandaged palm slammed against the glowing button, expression blank and eyes lidded as he awaited the bright flash of the screen before him. A few seconds later it did, and any weariness from before faded within an instant, an ice cold spear of terror piercing his heart at what was shown.
There was some kind of creature staring right at the camera in front of the submarine, its eyes large and black like the abyss. It wasn't like any of the others he'd seen before—inhumanly long hair that flowed around the form, arms covered in scales and ending in claws that looked like they could slice through metal, jagged fins along various parts of the body, and a tail that was so long it seemed to wind around and past the body.
By the time the temporary image faded away, Simon had snapped out of his daze, confusion briefly replacing the fear that once paralyzed him. That thing almost looked like... a woman? No, that couldn't be right, it had too many features that were not human. It couldn't possibly be that—maybe he was finally starting to hallucinate from his head injury.
Hesitantly he reached out to press the button again, brown eyes intently focused on the screen before him and brows furrowed in concentration. Seconds later it flashed again, and sure enough the thing was still there, only slightly moved in its position. Those big eyes never moved from the camera, except this time its head was tilted to the side, as if puzzled at whatever this flashing device was that could beam through the thick blood surrounding it.
Even after a second photo, Simon wasn't sure what to think. Apprehension was still present – nothing good happened everytime he's encountered a creature down here – yet there was a newfound curiosity.
It– No, she didn't appear to have any desire to attack his submarine. She was rather large, easily big enough to wrap her body and tail around the entirety of the sub, yet not nearly as ginormous as the other thing he encountered. And yet she wasn't using that size to her advantage, wasn't trying to shake the sub off balance or break through the walls—nothing was happening.
The third time he pressed the button was absent-mindedly, as if slowly becoming mesmerized by this newfound discovery. When the screen flashed again she was right up against the camera, a long, clawed finger visibly against the lens.
Right after that he heard a rhythmic tapping sound come from the front of the hull. Simon blinked, mouth slightly ajar as he stared towards the front in disbelief. Was she trying to get his attention? Did she even know someone was inside, or just saw a giant hunk of metal and started examining it?
Whichever it was, he found his feet treading carefully towards the front, unsure of how to address the situation he found himself in. So long as he wasn't in any danger, then he supposed it was alright. But he couldn't be certain that wasn't a possibility just yet.
The tapping continued, to which he took a deep breath while balancing his hands on the edge of the panel. "Hey, uh, don't mind me. Just passing through." He called out, loud enough that it echoed around the walls of the hull.
Immediately the tapping stopped and he held his breath, silently regretting saying anything at all. The seconds that ticked by were agonizing, his heart starting to pick up in pace as he braced himself for some kind of impact.
Nothing came except a high-pitched noise that seemed to dance around the submarine. It was feminine and surprisingly comforting, likely due to how non-threatening it sounded. It was repeated, and he realized she must've been swimming around the sub, that thought confirmed by the gentle rocking that occurred with the movement of each keen chirp.
He didn't know what that response was supposed to mean, but took it as a positive one since she wasn't clawing her way through the metal. "You're probably the only thing here that doesn't want to kill me." He mumbled to himself, running a hand down his face as relief crashed over him like tidal wave.
The delightful noises continued swirling around him, to which he couldn't help the small, upward twitch of his lips. "Must be boring down here if you're excited over a tube of metal with a guy stuck in it." He said, loud enough for her to hear.
He wasn't sure if she could understand what he was saying, but she gave a new sound in reply—a whistle of sorts, followed by a lower rumbling that he could feel the vibrations of through the hull. There was an audible swish as her body slid alongside the exterior, to which he exhaled in amusement, able to imagine the way she was gliding and twirling all around in excitement.
He decided she was far better company than whatever the fuck that other creature was that got him stuck down here.
Right after that thought his head perked up, a new idea forming with this discovery. Those brown eyes searched the wall of the hull, as if he'd somehow be able to see her. "Hey, think you can, uh, help me out a bit? I'm lost." He winced the minute the words left his mouth, both cause he sounded insane and he realized something. "Fuck, you can't even respond..."
Mindlessly his finger tapped against the control panel, to which he heard her tap against the front camera again in return—a sound that provided the answer he was looking for.
"Give one tap for yes, two taps for no." He quickly blurted out, hoping by some miracle she was able to comprehend what he was trying to communicate to her. When he actually heard a singular tap, followed by silence, he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Shit, I didn't think you could actually understand me."
Shocking as it was, he wasn't going to bother with questioning it. This changed everything for him. Now he didn't have to blindly rely on coordinates, but could instead have her guide him to a path of safety. Except if he guided her back to the base, then that'd likely put her in danger. For some odd reason, he couldn't bare the thought of anything happening to this innocent creature.
Plus, why would he want to go back to them, anyway? That woman – he didn't know her name, nor did he care to – made it clear she could care less about his end of the deal. He wasn't stupid, he knew they were going to leave him for dead, or if they did bring him back alive by some small chance, it wouldn't be freely like they promised. Everything they told him was a lie, so there was no doubt that his freedom was one, too.
With his mind made up, he glanced up towards the ceiling. "Could you guide me to land? Somewhere I can get out of this fucking tin can."
There was a pause, the only sound being the groaning and shifting of metal, before another tap met the submarine. Yes.
His lips pursed together, brown irises searching around as he tried to figure out how this would work. Even if she was leading him, he'd have to hit the camera button each time to find where she was, which wasn't optimal—especially when he wasn't sure how the radiation might effect her. He could try to follow her based on sound, but it might get lost in the constant noise of the ocean shifting. Maybe he could tell her to—
Suddenly the submarine lurched forward, sending him stumbling backwards until he crashed into the floor. A groan left him as the bruises on his back stung from the impact, taking a moment to regain his bearings due to the pain shooting up his spine.
When he did, he could hear the familiar sound of the coordinate numbers moving. Slowly he pushed himself to stand up, glancing around to ensure the submarine was in one piece, before refocusing his puzzled gaze back on the control panel.
He watched as the numbers moved on their own, his ears picking up on the swish of the ocean as he moved through it—or rather, as she moved him through it.
So she was definitely strong enough to tear this submarine apart if she wanted. Noted. He'd be extra careful not to accidentally piss her off.
"Yeah, that works... Uh, thanks." He stumbled over his words, a little dazed from everything that was happening. A happy trill was given as a response.
Simon went to settle on the seat, allowing his body a moment of relaxation now that he didn't have to be running back and forth. A long exhale left him, his eyes closing and shoulders falling while he listened to the occasional whistle she gave from behind. He found it amusing, like she was reassuring him she was still there despite literally steering this hunk of metal for him.
He wasn't sure how much time had passed, hadn't even realized he'd fallen asleep, the mental and physical exertion finally taking ahold of him.
For now, he was putting all his trust in this sea creature, who'd showed him more humanity than the people who put him in here.