He’s behind me. Which means, I have no choice but to move forward. I run. Run like hell toward the lights that flicker on and off outside the very end of this long length of pipe. Breathing labored, my head grows dizzy. Maybe I can make out the lights all the way at the end of this tunnel, but it’s got to be at least a mile long. I hear The Skinner coming up on me from behind. No way I’m going to make it to the end. But I have to at least try.
But then my foot gets caught on something hidden under the filthy water. I go down hard onto my face and chest. I swallow some of the rancid water and feel it come back up on me. Pushing myself up onto my hands and knees, I’m choking and coughing when The Skinner pounces on me.
He sends me back down into the water. Holds my face under. I try to p
