Labyrinth. Alex Archer

Her lungs started to crave oxygen more than they ever had before.

      Keep going.

       Annja closed her eyes and imagined the sword in her mind’s eye. A new wave of strength surged through her body and it felt as if her muscles had more oxygen now. Annja’s lungs still hurt from holding her breath, but she kept her eyes shut and kept plowing forward.

       Just a little bit more.

       The tunnel couldn’t go on forever. At some point, Fairclough would have to end it and bring the person into another room so the fun could continue.

       Right?

       She prayed she was right.

       Her legs ached now and Annja knew that this was the final energy she could pull from the sword. Eventually, it would need to be put back into the otherwhere. Annja didn’t think it had an inexhaustible supply of energy to give her.

       Nothing did.

       I’m almost there, Annja told herself. A few seconds more.

       And then she had the sensation of light ahead. Annja opened her eyes and saw that the tunnel had already started to open up. She could see the lighter water in front of her. The tunnel must have opened into a different room.

       She kicked with every last ounce of strength she possessed and was rewarded by finally clearing the tunnel.

       Air.

       Annja shot for the surface.

       Broke it.

       And sucked deep lungfuls of air.

       Finally.

       Water dripped off her and her entire body felt cold. She needed to get out of the water and find a way to warm herself. Otherwise, she was done for.

       She turned in the water and saw a sandy beach ahead.

       Annja swam for the shore.

       Grateful to be through the tunnel.

       And still alive.