Chapter 13 - Sinking Depths
The explosion hurled Julian and Elena against the bulkhead as cold harbor water surged through the doorway, rising to their waists in seconds. The red timer lights flickered out, replaced by the terrifying screech of twisting steel as the barge began its final descent into the bay.
"Julian, you can't carry me!" Elena cried over the roar of the incoming torrent. "My legs... they've had me sedated for weeks. I can't run!"
"I'm not leaving you again," Julian grunted, securing her arms around his neck and hoisting her onto his back. "Hold on, whatever happens, do not let go!"
Julian fought against the violent current rushing down the corridor, pushing his burning muscles to their absolute limit. Every step felt like wading through wet concrete as the water level reached his chest. He lunged toward the vertical ladder leading up to the main hatch, grabbing the iron rungs with one hand while locking his other arm around Elena’s thighs.
Rung by rung, he dragged them upward while the ship tilted at a terrifying forty-five-degree angle. Behind them, secondary charges detonated, sending a shockwave of heat and water vapor blasting up the shaft.
Julian kicked open the hatch cover and tumbled out onto the tilted deck just as the ocean began swallowing the main railing. The zodiac boat was already bouncing wildly on the swells below, held only by the frayed mooring rope.
"Jump!" Julian yelled, wrapping Elena in a tight protective embrace and launching them both off the edge of the sinking ship into the dark, churning water below.
They hit the icy surface, plunging deep beneath the foam before Julian kicked frantically toward the surface, dragging Elena upward into the rainy night. He grabbed the side rope of the inflatable boat, hauled Elena over the rubber pontoon, and pulled himself aboard just as the massive bulk carrier vanished beneath the waves with a massive, sucking vortex.
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Elena lay coughing on the floor of the small craft, looking up at the smoke rising from the churning water. Julian grabbed the throttle, steering the boat back toward the distant lights of the city.
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