18
MICROFICTION The Forge
Spring 2021
boiled ocean By: Joseph Mauceri
Carlton stood still as his oxygen tank was fastened to his back. It was large, holding enough air to keep him submerged for at least an hour. He always wondered why they kept the air tanks so full. They wouldn’t be submerged for nearly that much time. “You’re all set,” said his assistant, moving on to the other diver standing right next to him. “Thank you, Sirius,” Carlton responded, letting out a heavy sigh. “Does it ever get easier?” the other diver asked. “I mean, salvage operations use to be dangerous, but never to this level. “You should be less worried about whether or not this gets easier and be more focused on actually gathering supplies Drake,” Carlton replied, not even turning to look at his partner. “Today we’re looking for food. And make sure it’s fresh. I don’t want you hauling back 100 pounds of rotting fish.” “Oh come on,” the other diver replied, “you know me better than that. We’ve been family for ten years.” “And yet this is our first time diving together. Whether you’re married to my sister or not, I’ll have your removed from the salvage detail if you screw up more than once.” “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The two divers walked to the hatch of the submarine. It was four times as large as a normal one, plenty big enough for two people to jump through. “You’ve got twenty minutes before the
water begins boiling again,” Sirius said to them, “grab what you can, then get out!” The duo nodded their heads and jumped into the ocean. *** They swam as fast as they could. It was hard with such a heavy load, but there was no time for excuses. They could feel the water heating up as they ascended. Their only hope for survival was their submarine, just out of reach. Carlton was just ahead of Drake, hearing the timer beeping in his ear, beeping more and more with every second that passed. They had ten seconds left. The sub was 12 seconds away. They would be boiled alive in two. Carlton felt something touch the bottom of his feet and a strong push. He flew through the water, with enough force that he broke through the liquid’s surface through the hatch back into the sub, flying out and landing just next to the hole. Carlton laid on his back for a moment, looking to his side as he saw the water begin to bubble. He checked his watch, time was out. He sighed a breath of relief. “That was a close one Drake,” he said. He looked around when he heard no response. “Drake?” That’s when he saw it: his partner’s air tank. The boiling ocean had claimed another one of his friends.
