Pressure by Brian Keene Page B

yet it was good enough that we both saw that thing.”
    Paolo started to reply, but then paused and simply nodded.
    â€œWhat thing?” Abhi demanded a third time. “If the two of you don’t start explaining what’s going on here, I’m going to mutiny and take us ashore.”
    â€œI don’t know what it was,” Carrie said. “It was something big, lurking in the collapsing trench. A territorial predator of some kind.”
    â€œA shark?”
    â€œNo, not a shark. Like I said, I don’t know what it was. I only caught a few glimpses. But I have a theory.”
    Both Abhi and Paolo stared at her intently, listening.
    â€œI started to hallucinate,” she explained. “At first, I just felt the numbness around my mouth. But then, when I felt the water temperature change, I dropped a torch down into the collapse, and I sort of … zoned out. I started thinking about something that happened when I was a kid.”
    â€œI had a moment like that, as well,” Paolo confirmed. “It only lasted a few seconds, but I got distracted.”
    â€œDid you notice the temperature change?” Carrie asked.
    â€œNot at first. Not until you got my attention. As I said, I was … distracted.”
    â€œWhen it started to pursue us—when it got closer—that’s when the numbing sensation overcame the rest of me, starting with my leg. At the same time, I started hallucinating, again.”
    â€œWhat did you see?” Abhi asked.
    â€œMy mother. And she’s been dead for almost two years.”
    â€œOh, Carrie…” Abhi’s voice was thick with emotion. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œThank you, Abhi, but I’m fine. Really. It was just a hallucination, I know that. You didn’t experience anything else, Paolo?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI think that’s because you were closer to the surface than I was. I think that thing, whatever it was, sends out hallucinogenic neurotoxins through the water to pacify its prey. Similar to an Irukandji jellyfish. I knew it was there. I knew it was observing me. But I felt no fear. Just like when Peter and I dived. I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t concerned at all. If anything, I just wanted to surrender.”
    â€œOkay, then.” Abhi strode toward the motor. “That sounds good to me. I vote we surrender.”
    â€œBut,” Paolo said, ignoring Abhi and turning to Carrie, “if it’s a neurotoxin, why would the effects have been stronger this time? Why wouldn’t it have impacted both of us like this on the previous dive?”
    â€œBecause I was closer to it this time. Because it turned aggressive. And in doing so, it flooded the water with a much larger dosage. Enough that it was able to somehow penetrate my wetsuit.”
    Abhi started the motor and raised his voice to be heard over it. “I’m glad that you are both okay. We’ve done a lot of science today. Hooray for science.”
    Carrie stood up. “What are you doing?”
    â€œI’m driving,” Abhi explained. “You did your science. Now it’s time to go home.”
    â€œNo,” Carrie said, “now it’s time we apply what we’ve learned and go back down there.”
    Abhi sighed. “I was afraid you’d say something like that.”
    Grinning, Carrie walked toward him. “And step aside, Abhi. This time, I’m driving.”
    â€œNo,” he insisted, gently but firmly pushing her away, “you are not. You may be in charge, Carrie, but I’m the pilot of this boat.”
    â€œYou’re serious,” she said, surprised. “What gives, Abhi?”
    He stared straight ahead, and hesitated before answering her.
    â€œWhat gives is that I’m scared,” he admitted. “I don’t like being out here. Something about this area feels wrong. But, here we are, and if we’re not heading back to land anytime soon, then I