Submerged

With a deep breath and steely resolve, she jumped into the pool and submerged herself underwater. She felt the little grate under her feet and paused there, comforted by the feeling of the swimming pool floor on her toes.

It was still early, and she was usually alone at the pool at this time. She was thrilled at the chance of having the chlorine-infused waters all to herself. It was the perfect time for her to reflect on the events of the previous day and to consider her goals for the one ahead.

She opened her eyes, and through her goggles, she saw the patterns the light made when it hit the water. It was gentle and serene, and the muffled sounds from the surface only helped to give the underwater world a sense of slow, dull peace. She smiled.

After a minute more, she felt the urge to breathe, and kicked against the floor. At her movement, she suddenly felt a long rough… thing wrap itself around her ankle, preventing her from resurfacing. Panicking, she looked down to see the grate open widely and saw that a long, red length kept her where she was. She kicked and squirmed and pulled at the unknown cord, but it responded by wrapping itself higher her legs, her torso, her chest, her head.

She began to grow dizzy and sluggish as she fought against whatever it was that was holding her down, but her feeble attempts tired her, and she was soon out of breath. In her last moments of consciousness, she felt herself getting dragged down lower and lower… and lower.

After a while, the last few bubbles broke the pool’s surface, and it was calm again. The crystal clear waters of the pool shone as the underwater grate closed with a muffled click.

–
Image source: deviantart.com/senshistock/art/Rise-Pool-Teaser-756118783
First written February 13, 2018.
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