Knocking at your door [BL]

"What the hell happened here?"

At the mere thought the other two began to tremble, their eyes were completely blurred and their heads were most likely repeating what might have happened just before they arrived on the deck of the boat.

Jason, as scared as he was, began to groan and whimper, regretting having gotten on that damn boat a few weeks before.

Was it his fault?

Absolutely not!

He did not even want to come to sea, but his favourite Professor had asked him for help in his research. How could he have refused?

On the other hand, the professor was beginning to regret having involved (or rather obliged) the two young researchers with a bright future.

Lennox, in the middle of this hopeless situation, seemed very calm except that you could read in his eyes all the turmoil of feelings he was feeling at that precise moment.

"Jason, stop whining and tell us what happened...and...don't worry I'm sure we'll be fine."

"I don't…I don't know! When…when I went up to re-retrieve the p-p-probe, I d-didn't notice anything s-strange except for the f-fact that I saw n-no one! I didn't n-notice the t-traces of b-blood! I... I pulled up t-the probe and it was all b-bitten! At that m-moment I r-realized something was w-wrong and I n-noticed the blood! And t-then you came."

"Did you see anything else strange?"

Jason shook his head in terror. Then suddenly, remembering, his eyes widened.

"Yes"

"What?"

"The v-volcano"

Lennox looked at him incredulously. How could there be a volcano in that area? They had been there for weeks and had not seen a shadow of it.

"Volcano? Where?"

Jason raised his trembling arm and pointed in a direction.

"R-right there"

In the heart of the ocean, you could see a volcanic island. From the central crater there was a column of thick, black smoke that mixed with the clouds and darkened the sun.

As the three scientists stared angrily at the island, glowing rivers of lava began to flow along the sides of the volcano, flowing slowly but unstoppable towards the sea. Upon contact with the water, the lava crackled violently, generating sudden bursts and raising clouds of boiling steam that enveloped the coast of the island in a ghostly curtain. Shreds of glowing rock were thrown into the air, falling back with a roar among the waves that began to strike the sides of the boat with increasing force.

The roar of the eruption joined with the roar of the rough sea, while the landscape was transformed instant after instant. The island, born of fire and shaped by the power of magma, continued to grow inch after inch. A primordial scene was composed before their eyes: a living, solitary, and majestic volcano, which rewrote the geography of the world with each new flow.

Amazed, fascinated but mostly terrified of not having information, Lennox decided that it was better to release the tension of the group even if the moment was not the best. "Mr. Ollen, I believe we've found the cause of your rising sea temperatures."

"…"

There was silence and all that could be heard were the sounds of nature that distorted the thoughts of three poor souls.

Then, suddenly, a splashing sound.

The three looked at each other, then behind them, and what they saw remained forever imprinted in their minds, some as trauma and others as a simple memory.

Two hideous humanoid creatures now stood before them with open mouths and sharp teeth. Their squashed noses were super sensitive to odours, but the most terrifying thing that struck researchers more deeply was the lack of eyes.

They were entirely covered with scales, a slushy colour tending to black, and of a slimy substance that, at each step of their palmed feet, fell and surrounded the deck of the boat.

The most surprising thing (at least for Lennox) was the fact that these creatures had a very different tail from the popular imagination (the typical siren's tail), although it consisted of a myriad of sharp and pointed spikes, similar to knife blades, ready to slaughter their victims.

Seeing these monsters, the three scientists began to connect the dots, all coming to one conclusion.

In order to survive, they had two choices: escape or fight.

In a situation like that, straight out of a fantasy game, all the sane people would run for their lives, what our poor heroes actually did.

They ran faster than they could and barricaded themselves inside the laboratory, stacking tables and chairs in front of the door.

"What the hell are those things?!"

"You think I know! We're all in the same exact situation!"

"What about this? I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!"

Jason burst into tears and collapsed on the floor, without any more energy.

"I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to d-"

Lennox approached Jason, who was trembling and crying, hugging his knees. He took his shoulders firmly and shook them with measured kindness.

"You will not die. But this is not the right time to go into crisis. Don't you think?

"I don't want to die."

"You won't. I promise."

"Really?"

"Yes"

"Shut up! Both of you! Something is approaching the door."

"Do you think that..."

"Yes."

The sound of footsteps could be heard coming closer and closer to the door. Then suddenly, silence. The three researchers held their breath and waited.

One minute passed.

Two minutes.

After five minutes Jason, who had slowly recovered (he was still shaking like a leaf), asked: "Do you think they're gone?"

But as soon as he spoke, sounds were heard like something slamming against a door.

All hope of salvation is shattered.

"You two are too young to die" Mr Ollen said to himself. Then he took one of the metal microscopes and threw it against the glass of the small laboratory window. He turned to the two young men and with a sad smile beckoned them to go through the window and try to save themselves.

"…No…"

Jason understanding and wanting to save himself at all costs took Lennox and dragged him up to the window.

"No! Jason, let me go!"

Mr. Ollen had already turned to the door with determination; he would not let those creatures harm his pupils.

"Lennox...You have to go. Live!"

"Mr. Ollen..."

"GO!!"

Lennox then turned and with a huge effort of will threw himself out the window, as Jason had done a few moments before, falling into the sea.

Only when he found himself in the water did he realize something very important: He could not swim.

"Fuck!"

He began to be dragged down by the current and soon found himself without oxygen. Just before he lost consciousness, he saw something that was reaching him very quickly.

Perhaps his death had finally come.