Return to The Deep (From The Deep Book 2) Read Free

dumpsters filled with assorted garbage. Beside the loading ramp was a door marked 'Staff only'.
    "That's our way in," Fernando said, sauntering across the deserted yard with an almost nonchalant ease.
    "It's locked, you won’t be able to get in there without a-"
    "One of these?" Fernando said, fishing through his wallet and holding up the key card, stopping Clayton mid-sentence.
    "Where the hell did you get that?"
    "I have my sources. Come on."
    The group huddled by the door as Fernando prepared to use the key. He held the magnetic strip against the reader and paused. "If this doesn’t work or sets off any kind of an alarm, be ready to run."
    "What does that mean?" Jim said, looking agitated.
    Fernando smiled and before there was any further protest, slid the card against the reader. The red light flicked to green and the door clicked open.
    "Alright," Clayton said, clapping Fernando on the shoulder. “Nice work."
    He pulled the door open and assumed the lead. Fernando held the door open for Jim and Marie, and then followed, closing it gently behind them.
     
    III
    The air was much cooler on the other side of the door. Air conditioning units growled high on the walls, and the cavernous space was heavy with shadows.
    "I can’t see a thing," Jim whispered.
    "Hang on," Clayton replied. Seconds later, the room was illuminated by a powerful light emanating from the rear of Clayton's phone.
    "Who the hell are you, James Bond?" Jim asked.
    "Torch app. Come on, this way." Clayton grunted, leading them towards a set of doors on the left of what looked to be a storage room of some kind.
    "How do you know it’s that way?" Marie asked. "What about those doors?" she pointed to the two other sets of double doors on the opposite side of the room.
    Clayton pointed to the pipes, which skirted the top edge of the wall. "Water filtration pipes. They lead that way," he said, nodding towards the doors he was initially heading for. "If they're hiding anything in here the size of this supposed super whale, that's where it will be."
    He turned and walked towards the doors, not waiting for anyone to reply. As he knew they would, the others followed.
    Clayton tried to open the doors. "Shit. It's locked."
    "Come on, man, let’s forget this and get the hell out of here," Jim whispered.
    Clayton almost felt sorry for him, and could almost see the fear in his eyes in anticipation of his father delivering his own brand of justice if they happened to be caught. "Not yet, we're here now, so we might as well try the other doors."
    "I don’t like this," Jim countered, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, “it feels…wrong.”
    “Maybe that’s your pussy clenching up on you and telling you to run on home,” Clayton said, looking at the others for approval.
    “Screw you, man. Don’t tell me you don’t sense it.”
    “All I sense is you being scared shitless.”
    "Maybe he's right," Fernando said. "We could all get in big trouble for this if someone catches us."
    "Look," Clayton said, shining his torch beam at them, “if the two of you want to leave, that’s up to you. I’m staying. I want to know what's going on here."
    "I just think it’s a risk, that's all," Fernando countered. “I mean, what does it matter to us anyway? It was just a story. Nobody really knows the truth.”
    "That’s what makes it exciting," Marie whispered. She was staring at Clayton, the look of anticipation and attraction unmistakeable. “I’ll go with you, even if they won’t.”
    Fernando felt another pang of jealousy, which in turn, made him think with his groin rather than his head.
    "Alright, fine, I’m in too, but just a quick look, then we get out of here," he snapped.
    Clayton smiled. "See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?" He tipped a wink at Marie as he said it, causing her to break eye contact and look at the floor.
    "Fine," Jim muttered, "let's just get on with this."
    They crossed the room. The second of the two sets of doors was also locked.