Ghosting

The End

Plastic Beach. The end of the world, or so it seemed. The sky was a vibrant orange, covered by clouds that glowed a dark red. The dying sun cast it’s last light over the pink island. Occasionally, an explosion will shake the island, or a plane will fall from the sky. The fight had so far only been five hours, but it felt like days.

Murdoc took shelter from a volley of bullets behind a plastic palm tree. When the noise stopped he peered out from behind it and ran to grab more weapons that laid in a pile next to the door, which was conveniently not too far away. He quickly grabbed a pistol and turned around to fire at the plane that had been shooting at him moments before. Smoke spilled out of the bullet holes, but the plane did not falter in its flight. The pilot retreated to the other side of the island.

He panted, trying to catch his breath. Murdoc knew he was out of shape, but only now was it actually catching up to him. He almost jumped when he felt a cold hand on his shoulder. He expected to see the Boogieman, but instead he was met with the familiar face of Cyborg Noodle.

“For the love of Satan, don’t scare me like that!”

She didn’t seem to hear the man. “The Black Cloud’s fleet has been depleted.” She paused for a moment. “A tactical retreat is in the process. They should return soon.”

“They’re comin’ with more?! Bloody hell, how many pirates are there?!”

She shrugged- a very human response. Murdoc didn’t seem to notice.

“When will they be back?” He questioned, placing the pistol back in the pile.

“Based on previous attacks, anywhere from thirty minutes to two weeks.” Cy informed him. She seemed to glitch out for a moment.

“Ugh… Check on Dent’s for me, will ya?”

Cyborg froze. It was something she did when pulling up data or checking the cameras. “He’s in his room.”

‘Of course he is.’ Murdoc thought. He was always locked in that underwater dungeon. The next words she said surprised him.

“There is water coming in from outside. That whale is breaking in.” Her voice was cold and empty, but somehow there was a sense of urgency to it.

“What- How- Fuck!” He rushed inside before she could respond. Cyborg did not follow him inside. She seemed concentrated on something else.

He ran through the mansion’s many rooms, and never had he ran so fast. He went down the stairs to 2D’s room as quickly as he could manage. There was a loud creaking sound coming from inside, and the sound of water spilling onto the floor.

Murdoc grabbed the doorknob and desperately tried to unlock it, but it wouldn’t budge. He shook it a few times, hoping it would open. It did not.

Inside he could hear sobbing. Cold sea water began to flow from under the crack in the door.

He knocked on the door. “Dents, can you hear me? Dents!”

“It’s gonna kill me! It’ll eat me alive!” 2D stammered through tears.

“It won’t if you just listen to me! Can you open the door on your side?”

The water was forming a considerably large puddle around the bassist’s feet. It came up past his toes and threatened to spill into his boots.

“I...I can’t! I’ve been tryin’ the entire time I’ve been here!”

“Ah, fuck.” Murdoc groaned. “Listen close. I’m going to kick down the door, and the moment I do, you need to get out of there. Got it?”