FMS Episode One 44 (Patreon)

As she descended along the ladder, she felt soft particles touch her outstretched hand. While she could not tell due to lack of light, it seemed like significant sand mass from the seabed had settled inside the ship’s bottom bay. Looking up, Chihaya could make out the dim light from the entrance hatch.

"Ugh"

Air bubbles broke through the seal of her closed lips. Chihaya’s heart missed a beat and she instinctively gripped her throat with her free hand.

(I... am not breathing...)

How much time had passed since Aya had transferred her air? That precious, sweet breath that Aya gave up in self-sacrifice to keep Chihaya alive. The puff was still inside Chihaya’s lungs but it had become terribly stale after her ongoing underwater duress.

"Glupgulp"

Her bubbles glittered in reflection of the faint light from above. Her limit was nearing. Nevertheless, nothing in her surroundings represented an exit to open water.

(It’s…so…painful···)