Samuel Bishop
Chapter 1 “Get out of there Alex!” came a cry down the hallway. His bright blue eyes shone in terror as he fought his way through the icy water. The world seemed to slow down as he stumbled along the hall. Debris swirled around, knocking into his knees, as he sprinted as best he could. Alex wanted to scream; this was a living nightmare. “Hh-help” A shiver ran down his spine; it was a dead man's plea. Alex couldn’t leave the man behind, could he?. His legs threw him towards the man; he wasn’t going to leave him behind. The water tickled his waist as Alex hurled his arms around him. The man's head was submerged and his skin was a ghostly white. His beard carried small ice pieces. There was no hope for him now, but Alex tried anyway. “Alex, what are ya doing!” The voice was distressed and worried, just as he was. Alex heaved the man as far as he could. He knew he was gone but it was still hard. “I’m sorry.” Alex didn’t try to hide his shakiness. No answer. He was gone. There was no doubt about it. I am really sorry, he thought. Alex swam through the water that was now up to his neck. He couldn’t help how guilty he felt. Sorry. Alex trembled all over; there was nothing he could do now. He felt empty and lost. How could this happen? His arms and legs were numb and dead. Alex shook uncontrollably in the frosty water. He panted for air, gulping as much as he could. He was done for, surely. Alex had almost given up, when a glimmer of hope arose. He hadn’t seen the rails along the corridor. How could he have missed that?! He swam over to them, ignoring the painful intensity of the water. Grasping the frozen pole, his shaky hands dragged him through the
surge of water, one hand after another. It was painful work, but he had to do it. Nevertheless the water was flooding faster and faster. He couldn’t keep this up. He could barely touch the bottom, and every muscle in his body screamed for him to give up. It was gaining on him and he was losing strength. Adrenaline faded, leaving him to feel the cold. This is it, I’m done. His hands rattled around uncontrollably. Things were bleak. He was going to die; he couldn’t help that. The ship was a goner, as were most of these people. It had taken on too much water. Thankfully, a stray life jacket floated around. This was his last chance to live. He used the last of his strength to slip it on before everything went black.
Chapter 2 Alex awoke to a drab, run-down stone room which held only a few cupboards and tables. If this was heaven, it was pretty lame. He thought he was breathing, but something was different. Like he’d lost something. He was interrupted when a teenager yelled out in the room; he didn’t even know he was there. A painful headache smacked Alex like a slap. “Where am I?” Alex asked the kid. “Is this heaven?” The only kid there roared in laughter. Alex could feel his face redden up. “This is anything but, dude,” the freckle-covered kid said. A few needles were scattered on various tables. “Where am I then?” “You’re in the Berth,” another kid interrupted. Several other boys had entered the room, looking at Alex with great interest. “Who are you?” the same boy asked sticking his nose up. “I….. am Alex I think,” he murmured. “You think?” quizzed another boy. “Yeah, I think. I don’t know what happened or how I got here.” “Wouldn’t be the first,” murmured another.
“What should we do with him?” asked the last companion. “Keep him here, Wesley. Patch him up a bit more. Until then.” Must be their leader or something, Alex thought. “Right, let you know if he does anything.” “Sounds good to me.” And with that they left. A jumble of thoughts raced in his mind. Were there any other washed up survivors? Who were they? But the one that bothered him the most was Where am I? “What is this place? How did I get here?” Alex had so many questions he wanted answered, it was killing him. “Look, man.“Can you stop asking all these questions. I’m just here to do my job and you're bugging me, so…” “I just-” “Stop!” Wesley as they had said looked him straight in the eye. He was taller than he first thought and was pretty skinny. “Okay.” It sounded pathetic, and it was. Alex just realized he was covered in blankets. “Please sit still while I put these on.” Alex didn’t argue; he didn’t even say a word. A little while later a huge teenager entered the room. He wore a dark shirt and denim shorts. “Here to get him...” He paused and looked at Alex strangely. “From ya.” He had a deep voice just as Alex had expected and striking green eyes, like New Jade. “Right, he’s all yours.” Wesley didn’t bother to turn towards them as he spoke. The dark-skinned boy gestured for Alex to come with him, which he did gladly. He needed answers. They left the stone room and walked around a vast corridor. Now was the perfect time to ask. “Where am I?” “Look, I don’t have time to yaba on and answer all your stupid questions, so if you don’t mind…” Alex was bothered why nobody answered his questions. He hated it. “I just want to know where we are and-” “Just keep your gob shut, you’ll find out soon enough.” What a jerk! “Fine,” Alex snarled. “It’s for your own good, dude,” he sniggered. “Wh-” He was cut off by the large kid, again! What a jerk!
“Seriously, just lay off.” Warning laced his words. This conversation was over. “Fine,” he growled. He wanted to scream in frustration. Why is nobody answering me?! They continued walking in silence through a maze of passages and stairs until they reached a wooden door. “Don’t say anything stupid, ya hear me?” he harshly asked. “Yes, whatever,” Alex sharply snapped. He hated this guy. The kid pushed at the door, revealing a large room with a few tables and chairs along the walls. The north wall was completely glass with a few metal beams to support it. In the centre of the room was a table and a lone teenage boy sat there looking at the pair. A thick leather jacket wrapped itself around the guy. He spoke quietly and coldly. “Welcome to Berth,” said the grim voice. What a welcome. “Tomorrow you’ll be gone, back to where ever you came from.” Oh, great... “Can you please tell me where “Berth” is? And how did I get here?? I'm blind here.” “Please just wait!” he snarled. “Why are you so damn annoying?” He shot Alex a glare. What did I do? He just couldn’t understand what he did. What’s his problem? “Look leather dude, I don’t know where I am or how I got here, I just need some answers.” Alex didn’t realize he raised his voice till he was done. “Oh yeah, well leather dude here can lock you up for good, so watch what you say idiot!” he bellowed. “You don’t know what your talking ’bout so don’t.” Alex’s face flared up in embarrassment. “Get him out of my sight; I got better things to be doing. Take him to Flint or something.” He shook his head as if disappointed. “Sure thing, Greg.” The dark skinned kid gave Alex a glare before leading him out of the room. “I told you not to say anything stupid, can you hear me or are you deaf?” “Im sorry, I didn’t know-” “Save your breath, let's get Flint.”
Chapter 3
They walked through the network of corridors and rooms, Not saying a word. They passed another room, and then the next; boxes lining every room. This seemed odd, but then again everything seemed odd here. “What are in those-” Alex started “Just stop man, just leave it.” Alex chose to ignore him; he had to know. “What are you trying to hide from me, huh? Why is everything so damn secretive??” “Look okay, if you're going to rummage ‘round, you’re DEAD, so leave it!” There was nothing more to say, his eyes told it all. Wesley gestured to a small dark room, not saying a word. Alex’s eyes followed him as he left down the hallway. He stepped inside. Looking around Alex smelt a sharp smell; one that he had smelt before. In the street, it lingers. And on people, it lingers. The door slammed shut with a thud. His bones rattled in his body as he sat down next to a table. A thought gnawed at him as he stood up. He had to do something! Slowly, he stood up and walked to the door and twisted the door knob, and with a click the door opened. His eyes peered around the corridor. When he had faith that nobody was around, he slowly stepped outside and closed the door. He spotted a room and, like all the others, boxes filled the interior. Quickly, he made his way over to the dark room. Alex slowly closed the door and took a step inside. He made his way over to nearest box and slowly opened the lid. As he had expected, this whole place was just a big money making palace! His eyes wandered inside the box and he found out why everyone and everything was so secretive. The boxes were filled to the brim with marijuana and other drugs Alex had never seen before. No wonder they didn’t want me looking, this would put them all in jail forever! Just as he put down the lid, he heard footsteps approaching the room he was put in. The door swung open and then there was a pause. Then shouts exploded throughout the building. Doors swung open everywhere. Alex panicked. Man, did he panic. His eyes ran around trying to find an exit. He spotted a small window. This was his only chance. He sprinted to the window. Alex threw his fist at the window, not caring about the pain. The door swung open, revealing Wesley.
“Come back ‘ere!” Wesley yelled before galloping toward Alex. Alex had no chance but to throw himself out the window. And he did just that. Everything went black. A dark cold stung him. Alex swam to the surface ignoring the shouts and yells of the boys. “You’ll never live!” “Do you want to die?” “Get back here!” threatened the boys. Alex didn’t care; they were weak and meaningless. They knew they were done for. Suddenly Alex heard the roar of an engine. And the surge of water. Oh no, thought Alex. They're coming for me. Alex swam like there was no tomorrow. And there wouldn’t be if they got him. The boys were cheering now, waiting for the blood to spill. The small motor boat swang round and a strong arm grabbed Alex around the neck of his shirt. It was Greg. Alex was thrown onto the boat and rushed back to the fortress. The boat docked quickly, then THUD… Everything went black.