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Apollo sighed, dropping to sit on the ground. Dhurke still hadn’t returned.
He tipped his head back to peer up at the hole they had fallen through, squinting at the dark beyond the mouth of the entrance. It was too high up, the cave walls slick with moss. There was no way he’d be able to climb out, but the only other option was…
Apollo dropped his chin to his chest, leaning his forearms on his knees.
(“I’ll be back before you know it!”)
He let out a dry laugh, the sound bouncing off the cave walls, echoing alongside the occasional drip-drop of water from the stalactites into the pool below.
He’d said something like that before, fifteen years ago. Apollo had learnt not to trust promises like that, especially not from Dhurke.
He wasn’t sure how long they had been in the caves for. Apollo had never worn a watch, and without any sunlight he had no clear indication of time passing. Had it been hours or mere minutes?
Water splashed up over Apollo’s shoes, and he scrambled back, startled noise escaping his mouth. He hadn’t moved from his spot since Dhurke had disappeared into the murky depths of the lake, but the water’s edge was rising, expanding to cover the whole cave’s floor.
Dhurke was right, seemingly; the cave’s lake was connected to the ocean.
And the tide was coming in.
Fast.
Apollo pulled himself to his feet, taking a few steps backwards. The water was moving quickly, rushing in to fill in the gaps between stalactites and stones. He stared up at the cave walls, trying to see if there was a clear mark where the waterline reached.
Nothing, and Apollo felt his stomach drop. That wasn’t a good sign.
The water was lapping at his ankles, and the cave smelt of salt and sand as it bubbled and swirled, water carried in on waves as the tide rose.
Apollo had witnessed the tide come in at the beach, once — watching the waves rush in and break down the castle he and Clay had built before the water came too close for Apollo’s comfort and they ran back to higher ground to watch the destruction from a safe distance.
There was no indication of it here. While outside, it was easy to watch the waves, each one coming further inland than the last, that wasn’t the case here; the water steadily swelling as the cave entrance that led out to the water was submerged.
He backed up further until he crashed into the cave wall with a grunt, the stone hard and sharp against his back and shoulders. Apollo had no way out, nowhere to go.
Halfway up his shins, and Apollo started to look around for something — anything — to help. There was no way he would be able to climb one of the rocks, way too slippery with moss and water to do so. It would only last so long, anyway, and the water would continue to rise up over them.
The driftwood—! But it was floating over deeper water, there was no way he could grab it.
The water was past his knees now and rising still. Up to his waist, nearly to his chest, and it felt like it was stealing the air in his lungs, making it hard to breathe. Apollo’s breaths were coming in short and sharp, panic setting in.
Where was Dhurke?
A particularly strong wave came through, and Apollo was slammed back into the rock wall. The motion winded him and he swallowed water on the inhale.
Coughing and spluttering, Apollo tipped his head back to keep his mouth above the water, blinking it from his eyes. Something knocked into him, and he gagged around another mouthful of water as he turned to see what it was. He nearly let out a sob of relief at the realisation that the driftwood had found its way to him, wrapping his arms around it and holding on as tight as he could.
Apollo had never learnt how to swim. He’d been too scared to learn as a child, after nearly being swept away by fast river currents; and then been too embarrassed as an adult to ask. His line of work didn’t exactly call for it, and he had managed to get through life so far without the skill just fine.
The regret was seeping in now, however.
The water buffeted Apollo around and he tried to kick away from the wall. Another wave threw him against the rock, and he nearly slipped from the driftwood.
Water splashed over his face again and he choked.
Where was Dhurke?
Apollo couldn’t hear anything over the sound of water crashing into the cave walls and the pounding of his heart in his ears. His mouth burned with saltwater and he coughed again, trying to rid himself of the taste, only for more to make its way in as he breathed back in.
The water below was a dark, swirling black, and Apollo had no clue how high the water had risen, only that the Altar was slowly sinking into its depths. The puzzle box was still resting at its base, heavy enough to not float up on the tide, and Apollo dully recalled that there had only been one set of footsteps on the shore; out of the water. So the doctor had found his way in through the low-tide entrance the water was flowing in from, the same way Dhurke had left.
Would the water stop rising before it filled the entire cavern, or would it continue until there was no air left, leaving Apollo to drown?
He hacked up another lungful of water, nearly losing his grip on the driftwood as he covered his mouth. It came out thick and foamy, and he winced in disgust.
Another wave, and the back of Apollo’s head smacked into the rock. He blinked stars from his eyes, dazed for a moment, before forcing it back. He couldn’t lose consciousness here, he had to find a way out—
The entrance that they had fallen in through was nearly at the waterline. If Apollo could somehow make his way over, maybe he could get back out that way. He scrambled against the wall for a moment, feet trying to find purchase against the slick moss, before he pushed off as hard as he could, kicking with all the strength he could spare.
The water was working against him. Apollo kept kicking. Another surge pushed him backwards, splashing over his head, and Apollo coughed again.
Against all odds, he made it to the other side of the cavern, reaching out and grabbing the lip of the cave entrance so he didn’t float away again.
If he could haul himself up and out—
Rubble.
The hole was blocked, and Apollo involuntarily let out a cry at the discovery. It must’ve filled in after they’d fallen through.
Apollo slammed his fist against the rock, trying to find purchase. Nothing. He scrabbled against it for another moment, fingers catching, but nothing budged.
He was trapped.
Apollo wanted to cry. He wanted to scream for help, but nobody was there, nobody would hear him.
Where was Dhurke?
Dhurke had said he’d be back, but Apollo had lost track of time even before his panic had set in, even before the tide had begun to rise.
(He said he’d be back to find Apollo some day, but that was so long ago Apollo had stopped believing it.)
Something akin to regret bloomed in his chest, amid the burning of the saltwater. Dhurke had finally returned, and all Apollo had done was push him away. And now…
“Apollo!”
He’d swallowed too much water. His head felt heavy, vision going dark around the edges, and he could feel his grip slipping from the driftwood.
“A—! —lo!”
He was going to drown here. There was no way out.
“Apollo!”
A strong arm wound around Apollo’s chest and shoulders, pressing him up against something warm and solid.
“Apollo, hey!”
His head was held up out of the water, and he squinted up at what it was.
“D-Dhurke?”
“Stay with me, son,” Dhurke’s voice was a rumble, and he peered down at Apollo, concern deep in his eye. “Stay with me.”
Apollo’s grip on the driftwood failed entirely, but Dhurke held him up, strong enough to keep the two of them afloat. Behind the worry, there was a glimmer of amusement. “Still can’t swim, eh?”
“You… you came— back?” he shuddered on his next breath as more water tried to escape his lungs. Dhurke’s hand on his shoulder gave him a firm squeeze. “Wh-why?”
They both dipped below the surface for a second before Dhurke pulled them up again, keeping Apollo’s back pressed against his chest.
“I said I would,” Dhurke said, and Apollo could no longer see him, head held against his shoulder, “your old man doesn’t break his promises.”
Tears sprung unbidden into Apollo’s eyes, and he hoped they would be invisible in the dark and water.
Dhurke was a solid presence, arm crossed over Apollo’s chest, keeping his head tucked against his shoulder. He pressed his cheek against Apollo’s. “I won’t let go.”
“But— b-but then we’ll both di—”
Dhurke laughed, the sound echoing off the walls. “Have a little more faith!” he said, “we’re getting out.”
“How—?”
“Hold on. And stop talking. Keep your mouth shut.”
“What—?”
They were pulled under the rippling water for another moment before bobbing back up. “Deep breath! Just hold on, son!”
There was another tug. Apollo did as he was told, and they were dragged down into the inky depths.
Dhurke’s grip on him never wavered, and it was the last thing Apollo was aware of before the darkness claimed him.
Apollo bolted upright with a series of harsh coughs, flecks of saltwater coating his lips.
A hand rubbed circles into his back. “Woah, woah, you’re okay.”
“Wh…?”
“I got you,” Dhurke’s voice was firm but gentle, and Apollo coughed a couple more times, curling in on himself.
“You took your sweet time…” he muttered between breaths.
That startled a bark of laughter out of Dhurke, and he clapped Apollo on the back. “Sorry for that! I had to find help to haul us out once I went back for you.”
He couldn’t get rid of the taste from his mouth, swiping the back of his hand across his lips. “I was—” he broke off, clearing his throat, “I was starting to think you weren’t coming back.”
There was a pause, a space that belied the double meaning. Dhurke dropped back to sit on his heels.
“What kind of father would I be if I did that?”
Apollo felt his eyes well up again, and looked away. “Fifteen years is a long time, Dhurke,” he said, “you’ll have to forgive me for doubting you after that long.”
Dhurke winced a little. “... I know, son,” he said, “but what’s that English phrase, again? Better late than never!”
Apollo scrubbed at his eyes, shooting a sharp look back at Dhurke. The man laughed. “There’s that glare!”
He broke away again with a tired sigh, staring up at the sky. “... I suppose I should thank you,” he said, “for.. y’know. Saving my life. Again.”
“I’ll do it as many times as I must,” Dhurke’s tone held so much conviction in it, and not a shred of doubt.
“I…” the words died on Apollo’s tongue. Instead, he shook his head, moving so he could fall against Dhurke, burying his face in his chest. Dhurke didn’t say anything in response, bringing his arms up to wrap around him, setting his chin on top of his head.