Deep Blue Sea pt.1

“The story of how the sea swallowed up the earth has never been an easy on to tell. Such a great event that could have killed every human in earth is no joke and something not taken lightly when discussed. However I will tell it to you today before I pass to the other side.

“After years of abuse the earth began to give way to a new era of life that humans would not be ready for. In the year of 2057 the polar ice caps began to rapidly melt at an unprecedented rate. This melting would cause a great flood that no government nor organization would be prepared for. As you know this tragedy would cause the near extinction of the entire human race as well as the complete loss of land on the earths surface. At first people were separated and scared, but soon as humans do, inovation began to arise. Proving not even this new subnotic blue marble could wipe out the humans for good. New, never before seen, inventions grew out of necessity causing life to become easier and easier for the inhabitants of this new world. Eventually after only a few years after the flood, the growing population would settle comfortably on the sea floor. However this life proved to be harder than one above water. Residents of these underwater “paradises” were expected to work long hours without much rest at all and those who do not begin to work for the betterment of the cities at 18 were outcasted from society. Because of these reasons aswell as other some rebelled against the new normal that has been forced upon humanity, and seek to change what seemingly is unchangeable. This is where our hero, or rather, a boy who just want to breath fresh air once more comes in.

We find a young man climbing out of his cramped living quarters, if all goes to plan, hopefully for the last time. The boy known as Lars is no older than 18, hes tall and lean. The perfect subject for the harsh living, on the outside. However on the inside he is anything but the ideal subject for these conditions. The boy seeks to reach the surface, the surface he lost in the floods. He plans to reach his goals by any means necessary, however his sister, Maria, refuses to condone these plans. Today we find ourselves witnessing the actions Lars takes to dealing with his sisters defiance to his plans.

“Lars don’t go up there, please it’s dangerous!” My younger sister, Maria, calls out to me from below the ladder.

“I don’t want to hear this Maria, I’ve been told this too many times, I’m leaving.” I say with no remorse. I’m leaving there’s no debate. Not even a chance for it.

“If you don’t get down from there right now I’m gonna-”

“You’re gonna what?” I yell back, a little louder and meaner than I had intended. I feel slight remorse, but there’s no way I can back down now. She looks defeated with a cowering look with on her face, but as I continue to stare her I watch her expression shift to that of a stern mother who is about to punish her child.

“I’m gonna tell, snitch on you to everyone I can. I don’t want to do this but I won’t let you act reckless and end up getting yourself killed for this stupid dream.” Maria calls back keeping that same glare at me. My confidence began to wane. I had considered making a stand previously but I always feared Maria would not see eye to eye with me on moving to the surface.

“Be quiet you know you won’t snitch. Whose gonna take care of you if I get arrested?”

“Whose going to take care of me if you’re on the surface.” Maria says with a tone of sass I find beyond annoying.

I feel a great weight press onto me. What more can I say to her to make her understand? My head hangs to the floor still leaning off the cold, metallic ladder. I think and I think. Anything that comes to mind will work but I know I can’t spend another minute not breathing the fresh air from above. But then an insane, outrageous idea clicks in my head.

“Mom asked me to take care of you never to keep you below the water.” I say still staring at the floor.

“What are you even talking about?” Maria says with that same bit of sass in her voice.

I jump off the ladder, springing towards Maria. Despite her being only a little girl she is quick and agile maneuvering around our cramped living quarters like nothing. However she is quick but I am quicker. Finally I catch her, she squirms under my arm but she become more docile as her energy begins to wane.

“Listen Maria if you’re not gonna let me go to the surface alone we’re going together.” I hold her between my arms facing away from me in a way she is completely unable to hit me.

“Screw you asshole let me go!” She screams as loud as she can. I can’t believe my little sister knows such vulgar language. I cover her mouth to prevent anymore of this foulness

I begin to climb the ladder again, this time holding Maria in my arm. She squirms a little but she has, mostly tuckered out from our chase.

I begin to move more carefully now, sticking my head into the common halls like a gofer before walking out to avoid being seen. I speed walk down the hall in a chaotic manor knowing only luck is preventing someone from seeing me walking with my sister squirming under my arm. I could possibly just play it off as her getting in trouble and needing to be restrained but it’s most likely I would break under pressure, I’m a terrible liar.

Just as I have these thoughts I see a figure walking down the halls in the dead cold lights. The division comader of the work force himself! The man who is single handidly the most important and powerful man in the division containing thousands of people. What the hell is he doing here dammit? I can feel my face becoming hot as he approaches me within a meters length and looks at me.

“How are you today Mr-?”

“Lars.” I reply being unable to fully hide the absolute nervousness that consumes me. “Lars Campbell” I state quickly, wasting no time to end this conversation. He looks down at Maria who has begun to squirm a little bit with that angry look in her eyes. But my hand is still fastened over her mouth, making sure to be as gentle as possible so I don’t hurt her.

“Oh, this here is my sister.” I laugh nervously. “She’s been acting pretty bad. I’m just trying to calm her down.”

“You’d better get back to your living quarters then.” The division supervisor says looking slightly suspicious at Maria

“Yes sir right away!” I say and begin walking away from our living quarters into a hall of more living quarters that has another entrance to the common areas.

“Wait he says.” turning to look at me. He squints at me

I begin to feel the full weight of my nerves collapsing. Maria continues to squirm and almost gets loose, something I absolutely cannot let happen under any circumstance. I have reached the height of my nervousness. Sweat bullets feel as if they are flying down my face at impossible speeds. My knees are weak and I feel as though they could give out any second

“Campbell… that last name sounds familiar to me. Are you James Campbells son by any chance?”

“Yes sir” I say, nerves slightly leaving me and being replaced with confusion at the mention of my father.

“I’ve met your father before. I actually used to work with him quite closely before.. the accident of course”

“Oh, that’s very interesting” I say clearly rushing the conversation. Sweat is beginning to run down my face, my cheeks feel flushed.

“Yes indeed. He would have been such a good asset to the community if he wasn’t so damn obsessed with reaching the surface. Such a shame” He says flashing a suspicious glance at me.

“Yes truly a shame.” I say avoiding as much eye contact as possible. My knees feel as if they are about to give out. Does he know I plan to make it to the surface?

He looks as if he is examining me and thinking something

“Alright well I don’t wish to hold you my friend. Good luck with you sister.” he says shifting his facial expression to that of a smile, he turns swiftly and continues about his business.

As he walks away I feel as if I am about to throw up. I can it believe what just happened, and that I didn’t freak out just standing near him! Once he was gone I foolishly let my gaurd down and I soon felt a sharp blow to my gut, Maria. My grip loosens and she slips out running, no, sprinting down the hall. God dammit NO! She cannot get loose not after all that! I chase after her but I am suprised as she does not attempt to scream or call for help. She disappears behind a corner briefly but I find her sitting, unmoving, at the edge of the corner looking down, her long blond hair concealing her face. I reach out to touch her shoulder but before I can reach her she turns swiftly staring daggers into my soul. My arm coils, not being able to make contact with her.

“Why do you want to get to the surface to bad.” She pauses still staring at if me with a look of complexion, tears forming in her eyes. “There’s so many reasons not to, one, it’s illegal, two, you could never come back if you succeed unless you want to be arrested, three, we don’t even know what’s up there anymore. It could be toxic gas for all we know Lars!” She says barely holding back the tears.

I stand unmoving, my gaze shifts to focus on the floor.

“I’m not gonna give up on dads research, not so soon”

“His research isn’t going to do anything for you! Isn’t it enough to just make a comfortable life down here?”

“It’s not enough. Don’t you see how everyone treats us down here? That commander just now, did you see how he looked at us? Before the flood life was so perfect. Our folks were still with us. We could breath fresh air. We actually had freedom. Now we’re trapped down here and we’re just the kids of a nutcase father and a weak willed mother.”

“Do not talk about mom like that.”

“I’m sorry. I hate just saying that but it’s what everyone says and we’ll have to hear it for the rest of our lives, unless we move to the surface.”

“You’re really serious about moving up there aren’t you.”

“I am”

“Then,” Maria pauses, visibly taking great thought into her next words “I’ll trust you, you’re my older brother and I’m under your supervision according to moms last wishes, so I’ll go with you if you truly decide to make your move to the surface.”

I feel my nerves balling up from hearing this. Finally she’ll go along with me but it fully dawns in me that she’s now mine to protect and if I can’t protect her then I’m the one responsible. Now everything rests on my shoulders. I alone must carry the weight of not only my younger sister, but the legacy of my father and the memory of my mother.

“Alright then Maria, let’s get moving”

I hold out my hand, so large compared to hers. She grabs it, lifting herself up onto her feet. I bend over, wiping the tears from her eyes as we begin walking to the commons area, this time holding hands. The journey ahead of us will be a long one, but ultimately I pray, it will be worth it.