Page 24 of Sixty Meters Under

In the last attack, more than five hundred people were killed and thousands wounded.

The President warns: Our forces are preparing to strike back! There’s a high probability that nuclear bombs will be detonated.

Many people are still seeking shelter in bunkers. We need to be prepared for every possible scenario!

Lennart sighed reading new articles. Liam, who sat beside him, groaned. “This shit is real.”

Lennart sighed even deeper. He wasn’t sure what to think. He knew that the human race deserved all this, but still, there were many good and innocent people all around the world. Every day, hundreds or thousands of people are killed. Just like that. Lennart was sick of the news, but he had to stay informed about the events on the outside. Ninety people here in the bunker, they were his responsibility.

“I don’t know what’s real anymore. I guess we have to wait and see?” Lennart finally spoke. He felt the pressure of unease deep in his gut.

“Yeah,” Liam said, sensing his turmoil. “Wanna go out a little? You didn’t leave your room for two days. Hugo and Annie can handle things.”

“You’re right. I wasn’t in the mood, but I guess that’s not a bad idea.”

“Then let’s go! Shall we go swimming or what?”

“I have no idea. What do you want to do?”

“I want to test the pool!” Liam jumped to his feet. “Today is Friday, and as far as I know it’s open today.”

“Yes, it’s open. But we need to be back by 22:00.”

“Oh, shit! I almost forgot about the curfew,” Liam said, laughing. “Hurry. Let’s go!”

They took their swimming shorts and went to the elevator. When they arrived at their desired level, they entered the spacious hall full of people who were swimming, chatting or relaxing. In the middle was a pool of uneven angles; it was wider on the left side and a little narrower on the right. Two fountains, smaller and larger, were on each side spraying water evenly.

“Oh, boy. This place looks awesome with all these people,” Liam exclaimed, and grinned from ear to ear.

“Yeah. I guess this is everyone’s favorite level.”

Both young men headed towards the cabins. When they changed, they found two unoccupied lounge chairs and put their towels down.

“No sunscreen needed,” Liam added, ready to dive in.

“No sunscreen needed,” Lennart confirmed, and wondered how long it would take before they began to miss the warmth of the sun.

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Ayame also wanted to go swimming, but Ryosuke declined to join her. He still felt tired from the trip and said he would rather explore the library and rest while reading. Since he didn’t change his mind, Ayame ended up visiting the pool with his sister.

Ryosuke had taken a couple of books with him, but he was curious to see what was in the library. There would be plenty of time to go swimming. He assumed a lot of the people would be at the pool that day, and he didn’t enjoy crowded places. Libraries are quiet, and he needed to recharge his batteries, although he understood that his fiancé thrived around people.

When Ryosuke entered the library, he noticed that there were only a few souls, immersed in their chosen books, sitting by the lamps that illuminated their pages. No one disturbed him while he searched for titles. Ryosuke went from shelf to shelf, picking books that caught his interest. Lately, he preferred to read good mystery crime books, so he searched primarily in that section.

When he had picked books that grabbed his attention, he approached the librarian–a young woman who sat at the table hunched over the book. She looked up as he approached her desk and gave him a smile. “Good evening. How can I help you?”

A feeling of normalcy, Ryosuke remembered when he heard her polite tone. He placed his chosen books on the table, allmurder mysteries. “Good evening. I would like to borrow these three books.” It was the maximum they could borrow at any one time, he’d read in the rules at the entrance.

The woman, whose nametag readLucy, looked at the titles, her smile in place. “Which room is it?”

“Room twelve.”

The young woman tapped the details in her laptop. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“For now, that’s all. Thank you.” Ryosuke returned her smile, picked up the books, and seated himself in one of the cozy corners.

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