caught in the undertow {frankel}

[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

S

ummer is just around the corner, and it's my favorite time of year - spending time in the shops finding new swim wear only this time I didn't have to drag Falcon along. Mom was content knowing someone else was going with me. It's very disheartening knowing she doesn't trust me, and that she wants Falcon to spy on me. But I got out of his way by telling her I had a friend going with me. I think of her more than a friend, yet I can't tell mom or dad because they'll only turn her away. I've spent a lot of time at the beach with her. We've surfed together. We've jumped off the cliffs together - my back hasn't been the same since, but I had a blast and that masks the pain until jolts of electricity shoot down my legs.

A large grin twists across my face as I move through the shop looking for the perfect design. "What do you think of these shorts?" I ask quietly hoping they're not too ugly. Normally I try to find a theme. It may be strange, but matching my shorts with the design on the top of my surfboard makes me happy. Last year, I got the surfboard first which made shopping so much easier. I just figured I would try something different. And maybe Mina can find some swimwear she enjoys. The day seems to be going perfect, but something seems off. Something fills the air, and it's nothing I've ever felt before. Every hair stands on end as screams of citizens buzz through my ears. I turn towards Mina before shifting my gaze out the window. I don't even know how to describe the sight lingering in front of me. A giant wave pushes towards the district. Taller than any wave I've ever seen before.

"Mina! We have to move!" I shout at the top of my lungs trying to catch her attention hoping she hears me. "Mina! Run!" But I know it's too late because the world comes crashing down, and there's nothing I can do to stop it.

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[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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Summer. The greatest time of the year. The beach is filled with people, everyone seems to have a smile on their face and the atmosphere is at its peak. However it still has its negatives…I still have to work during the summer months. Gutting fish in high temperatures is not something I would wish on anyone…even my own enemy. Although today I was able to break free from work, my mother being in the unusual mood of happiness. I can’t complain about it. To fill my day off, I decided to go shopping, with Teagan. I still haven’t told my mother or brothers about him and well, they don’t need to find out, not yet anyway.

Ever since we both surfed the waves together during that one night, I have dreamt of having my own board and today is the day that I will get my hands on one…as well as other things. There isn’t a particular design that I have in mind but hopefully Teagan can help me decide. My eyes are set on a bright pink board with a picture of an unknown bird on it and I can’t seem to keep my eyes off it in this shop.

"What do you think of these shorts?" Taking my eyes off the board, I’d look to Teagan and then to the shorts. ”They look gre..” Moving my eyes to the window, the noise of screaming outside catches me off guard…what is going on?

The mood has changed in the District, the water is attacking the citizens…this isn’t right. A huge wave charges towards the building that we stand in and the one thing that is filling my mind is to run away. "Mina! Run!" There is nowhere to run, the water will swallow us whole…we have to hide from it somehow. ”Get to the roof!” I call to anyone that hears me as I retreat to staircase the leads to the hopeful safe place…

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[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

T

ime stands still, and I can't move as I watch the giant wave come closer and closer followed with a deafening roar of debris. My mind races. The one thing I loved e most has turned against me, no against the district as it rushes towards with with no chance of stopping. The thundering of my heart is lost in the mass chaos, and I'm trapped. I should've known something was up when I noticed the water receding drastically away from the beach, yet I never gave it any thought because I thought the district was invincible, but I know I was wrong. People inside the shop scream as Mina yells for people to get to the roof. I know I need to run, to save myself, yet handicapped people are standing in the corner of the store frozen in fear, and they need help so I do what I do best.

Pushing them in front of me, I help them reach the stairs, and I know time is limited, and I can't see Mina anymore - I only hope she's reached the safety of the roof, but by looking at the wave I know it's not safe although it's a lot safer than being here in a cement shop.

I hear the glass shattering behind me, and I know it's too late. "Go!" I shout at the elderly couple begging them to run through the door and climb the stairs as fast as possible. My stomach churns as the wave crashes inside the building slamming me against the wall. Blood trickles down the back of my head as I try climbing up the stairs, but I'm too late. The building slowly crumbles beneath the wave, and I know it's going a lot faster than my mind makes it out as. "Mina!" I scream at the top of my lungs before lifting my arms to shield my face as cement blocks fall from the sky landing on top of me, and all I can do is pray to a god to keep me alive for just one day before the world slowly fades away.

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[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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Never have I seen such destruction before. Why is the ocean doing this to us? Have we wronged it? The ocean is meant to be peaceful, tranquil not something that bestows devastation onto everybody. The whereabouts of my brothers quickly enter my mind as I flee to safe ground. Were they on the ship today? No. I don’t know. But no matter where my brothers and father…and mother are, I hope they’re safe. Away from the destructive wave that is quickly making its way towards me. Stop thinking Mina, just run.

Scrambling to the stairs that lead up to the attic and onto the roof. I don’t know why I called everyone to go up there but some sort of instinct jumped into my mind and ordered. Maybe thinking does help sometimes. Followed by everyone that was in the shop, I’d help lead the way to hopeful safety. My eyes are unaware of what the wave is currently doing as my main goal is to the land in a safer position. Grabbing the hand of a young child, I’d lead them to the surface of the roof before looking out to the ocean. It’s so close, closer than it’s ever been.

Teagan!

There are five of us stood on the roof and Teagan’s face is not included. ”Teagan!” I yell as the wave descends onto the building. Standing at the entrance of the ladders that lead to the roof, I’d peer in, hoping to see Teagan climbing up. ”Teagan!”

It is so quick. Crashing against the walls of the building, the water marches right past it, dragging any loose bits with it. Crumbling, the weak concrete begin to flow with the waves, the structure become unstable by the second. Seeing Teagan at the bottom of the stairs, I’d scramble down them as the concrete falls down all around him. Missing my footing on the stairs, my foot falls beneath me, sending my back and head against the steps. Everything goes black.

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[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

B

lock after block rained from the sky crashing against the ground as the concrete foundation of the shop slowly cracked beneath the weight of the world. Water poured through the glass sweeping items from the shelves tossing them around the store like they were a feather caught in the winds of a tornado. I try to move. Try to climb higher up the stairs, and I can see Mina peering down staring at me beckoning for me to reach her, but I can't move. Blood gushes down the front of my face filling my eyes. A sea of red surrounds me as her voice pierces my ears.

"Mina." My voice is quiet as the words fall from my lips, and I can't move as blocks pound against my body, and I'm trapped on the ground beneath them as dust fills my eyes mixing with the blood, and I'm coughing violently as loud high pitched screams erupt from somewhere deep inside as pain overtakes my entire body. Numbness courses through my veins devouring everything in its path.

My eyes focus on a rock falling from the ceiling, and I know if it lands on my stomach I'm screwed, so I do the only thing I can think to do in order to shield myself, and that becomes my first mistake. The giant boulder slams into my back, and for a moment I can feel everything shattering inside as I'm sent spiraling further towards the ground. Tears swim down the side of my face, and I can't focus on anything other than the black spots dancing in front of my eyes while soft moans fill the air around me, but I'm not worried about myself - I'm worried about Mina.

"Mina." I call out softly hoping she can hear me, but when I think the worst is over, the water crawls rapidly back to the ocean dragging everything with it, and I know I may not survive.

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[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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Darkness falls across my eyes, restraining me from doing anything. Why must weakness crawl over me right now? Recollection of the time we were in the ocean quickly sends a montage of the danger that I put me and Teagan in. Every time I am given responsibility, I always blow it, either in the most disastrous way or through stupidity. But can I blame myself for what is happening right now? Of course, I could have made sure that Teagan had gotten up to the roof first…I was selfish. Selfish are per usual. It will be my fault if he gets hurt, just like last time.

When my body finally wakes up and allows me to pull myself off the stairs, it is as if I’ve been out for an eternity as the scene around me has totally transpired. The whole ground floor is unrecognisable and it’s surprising how the roof is still erected and supporting the people. Submerged in the water, concrete blocks and debris fill the room. Vegetation has somehow found its way into the building but where is Teagan? ”Teagan” Calling his name, I’d crawl slowly down the concrete steps, the surface beneath me as fragile as my mind right now.

Suddenly events change, the water begins to change its course, retreating back so I remain on the edge of the stairs. Scanning the room, my eyes finally grant me some good news and my ears confirm it as my name reaches them. ”Teagan!” Calling out to him, I’d look at his surroundings, the ceiling above him looking on edge. ”Teagan, you have to move quick! Move, the roof!” Scrambling my words together, panic fills my speech as I plea for him to escape.

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[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

C

louds of smoke filled my lungs rendering me useless as the rubble crashes against my body, yet it didn't change the outcome of the world lingering somewhere in the unknown. Pain radiated through my body bouncing through my skull as my brain released the much needed adrenaline. But I couldn't move. I couldn't think of anything other than making sure Mina was alive. Yet the moment my eyes saw the roof starting to give way, I knew life was hanging by a moment. I can't do anything because I'm trapped beneath the crumbled foundation, and the scariest part of it all is I can't feel my legs. My entire body feels numb, and I feel like I'm floating in a huge puddle of water. Yeah, idiot, you are. A giant wave just destroyed it. And the wave slowly returns crashing through the buildings, and the roar is loud, and I know I have to move. I have to make it to the roof. I have to find Mina because I can't live without her. She's helped me through so much, and I won't ever forgive myself if she's dead.

Then I hear her voice, and I know she's near by. And I can hear her telling me to get to the roof, but I can't move. I can't get out from the trap nature put me in. I'm going to die. And I realize the harsh reality of the world around me. I'm trapped. The pull of the water grows stronger and stronger. Fear crawls through my veins. Every hair stands on end, and I know I have to get Mina to safety. To save her would save myself, and my soul could finally rest in peace. But right now it's far from peace. Far from anything.

"Mina, listen to me. I'm stuck. I can't get these blocks off me, and I can't feel my legs at all. The wave is receding, and that's not good, and the roof is looking very unstable. You have to go. Get out. Live." The last world is painful as it flows past my lips lingering in the air because I have so much to live for. So much I want to do. So much to see. I want to get married. I want to have a family. I want to raise a child. But it feels like nature had different plans. Maybe this is my purpose. Maybe I'm only meant to show Mina happiness exist because she's changed me in so many ways. "Go get help. These rocks are so heavy."

I can't tell her I'm going to die. I can't tell her I'm having her save herself.

"Hurry! The roof won't last much longer!"

I hope she understands, and hears the urgency in my voice because her life is so much more important than mine.

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