Mar 17, 2011 01:08
His lungs were filling with water as he thrashed and clawed his way to the top, aided by the buoyancy of the life vest that had been strapped around him. Just when he thought something might burst he breached the top, coughing, sputtering and flailing still. After wiping the unpleasant sting of salt water from his eyes, he saw what had been pulling him down. It was the vortex that accompanied a sinking ship. Only part was visible now, but it was clear that it was, or had been, a military ship. The words U.S.S. Indianapolis could just barely be made out and then it was gone. Lost to the depths.
As he glanced around it was clear that night was setting in and the sky was fading from a rosy pink to a bright red that reflected in the water, making it look like blood. That was when he saw the bodies, lifeless and bobbing all around him. Just as he realized that it was more than just the setting sun that had turned the water red he felt a sharp tug on his leg that dragged him down. Liquid filled his lungs once more.