Even though there were only 6 people on the submarine it still felt like thousands of people were on board. It was 1999 one hour till new years. Almost everyone was crazy. I mean I could understand it was the 2000’s. With a new century came new fashion, new trends, new celebrities and new technology. I was sure that I wasn’t the only one not fond of flip phones.

Empty cups were disposed of in a sink that from a far distance looked like a steering wheel. I sat on the edge of the dance floor and let the animated conversations wash over me. I didn’t exactly know who Michael Jackson was and I had never been to a buffet but despite my confusion I let the words cover me like a warm blanket.

I was 19 and only just figuring my life out. I was just learning how to maintain work and leisure time. Life was so confusing for me to follow. It was like a never ending map full of complicated signs and paths. I saw Mr and Mrs. Cello dancing wildly in the middle of the floor. Mrs. Cello in her mid 30’s had pulled out some of her best shoes and accessories. Her diamond earrings captivated the person who beheld them. Mr. Cello who was a plump man who spoke in a way that I would call a “distraction to public society.” How Mr. Cello and Mrs.Cello ever got married was a wonder. Mrs. Cello had really high expectations for a husband and secretly everyone knew that Mr. Cello was nothing more than a foul pig.

The other 3 people on the ship were the Captain, Ms. Rollestor and her son, Oliver who was nothing but a vile troublemaker. I would doubt that one day Oliver would be called a threat to society because he already was. Hiding his mother’s 50 thousand dollar ring and then purposely lighting the house on fire to kill his supposedly “loud” dog. It took minutes for the Rollestor’s 90 million dollar estate to be burned to ashes. I suppose the reason Oliver ended up being a gangster was because Ms. Rollestor who was a single mother who did NOT have a heart of gold. She was filthy rich because she had a father who spoiled her at the age of 50 with lavish gifts and thousands of dollars everyday. The only reason Ms. Rollestor came on the submarine was because she was bugged by her father to find a husband who could surpass her demands.

Or was it something else?

I drank my whiskey and watched Oliver beat up his mum and the Cello’s smoke cigarettes. I finished my whiskey in a gulp and the drink burned my throat. I then drank 5 more cups before I chucked my wine glass in the basin and staggered up to the captain.

“Howdy!” I remarked. The whiskey fumes must’ve really gotten into my head because before long I was moaning Believe by Cher.

“When we getting back?” I asked in a slow and calm voice, swaying slightly.

“We only have oxygen for 10 hours now. We arrive in an hour so I suggest being prepared.” The captain answered in a way that was blunt and brute. He looked like he didn’t want anything to do with me. I suppose it was because my breath stinked crazy like rum and whiskey. Since I was drunk I took no notice of what he said.

I went to my room and took some medication. I immediately felt much better and stared out of the window. We were so deep. I slept for about half an hour before I woke up in a startled manner. That’s when I checked my watch and saw the time. 2:35. We were about to arrive in 5 minutes. I ran to the ballroom to see Mr and Mrs. Cello dragging their feet and the Rollestors were somewhere unknown. I bounced to the quarterdeck and opened the door to find the captain unconscious. His head was drooped and there was blood everywhere. His pockets were turned and a rusty knife was on the floor. What was I to do? I checked his pulse to feel nothing. I had just been with him almost 50 minutes ago but what could have happened. There was nothing I could do about that but I had bigger things to worry about like how we were going to land.

I had no experience with submarines. I was only a student studying computer science at the University of Chicago. I was nothing special but I was the only person not drunk. Who knows where the other people were. I grabbed the steering wheel from one side and yanked it sideways. I had no experience with this but I did know that you could make the submarine reach the surface at will. I pressed a yellow button and suddenly a siren went on. Was that for help? I immediately pressed it again to make everything quiet. I then picture back to when I was in the room. Even though I was heavily intoxicated I still remembered the red button in the corner that the captain pressed to make the submarine ascend. I immediately reached for it and hit it with all my might before tilting the steering wheel. Suddenly I felt the submarine pull towards the surface of the ocean.

Finally we were above the water. I checked my watch. 4:00 pm. I then turned the steering wheel forwards to find a bay with ships and cargo. Even though I didn’t know if it was the dock I had to land here it was our only hope of survival. I then phoned the police on my rusty flip phone and waited intently in the seat, scared to move. I sat there and wondered why the others hadn't noticed the ship was suddenly still. I abruptly noticed a silver earring just like the one Mrs. Cello had. I fished it out and inspected it. Interesting.

It took 1 full hour for the police to come to the dock and inspect the murder scene.

“Sir I don’t want to alarm you but if you don’t have some other evidence we’ll have to lock you up.” muttered one of the 4 police officers.

“Aren’t there security cameras?” I questioned cautiously. I felt very uncomfortable and angry. I was the one who saved the submarine. Why should I be punished?

“There aren’t- What’s that?” the short police officer asked curiously. He picked it up and touched it.

“A SECURITY CAMERA!” I screamed with happiness.

A police officer named Joe played back the footage to see a person with dirty jet black hair stab the Captain before a woman in a sparkly dress and silver earrings handed him money before they both rushed away.

The police immediately searched the submarine as I felt so relieved but confused. Why had Oliver killed the Captain? Why did Mrs. Cello pay him? I wonder in the silent darkness. The police never found them and how they left was a mystery. All I knew was that I had just escaped twice in one day.

You can live one month with no food

You can live three weeks with no exercise

You can live 11 days with no sleep,

You can live 3 days with no water

You can live 3 hours with no shelter

You can live 3 minutes with no air.

What is the meaning of life you say?

To eat whatever you can find, do 100 jumping jacks, sleep as much as you want, go to the Greek and drink the Nile river, live in a tent and never get rid of your lungs.

If you do these things you'll be fine!

Dear Loui Sebastian Wireless,

Just to inform you that your brother, Draco Wireless has been held up in Custody at the Mary-Jane Gaol for performing a violation for Law number #4 and #53. This may be a slight shock to the family and the community as Mr.Wireless was a huge part of the community and showed great appreciation to everyone. We advise you to stay calm as Draco's trial will be held 14th of conveniently tomorrow, June 2023 . If you would like to join this sobering event we advise you to wear a mask as COVID is a rapidly spreading disease and we would like to assure that everyone is safe and secure. Your Uncle was spotted by community member's to be involved with a group that committed robbery and vandalising property.

We wish you all the best and if you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact 0419055729 which will lead you to the Extensive Police Department.

Sincerely Yours,

Chief Johnny Cancan.

Dear Loui,

Draco's been arrested. Won't give you too many details because I know the police wrote to you 'bout this. Anyway I knew he was a bad egg from the day he moved here because wasn't like us. I mean it was quite obvious he was a criminal because he was the only one who didn't come to any community meetings and he was apparently named the most caring person in his other community. He also was the only one who wasn't out when the fire went off and I suspect he did it. Most importantly our houses are connected and I don't know if he's really careless or what but one night when I was finishing an college essay I heard every thing because he must've assumed because the lights were out I was sleeping. Big lie. I had a bright night light on. I was awake all the time hearing about their evil schemes. So next time tell your brother not to be so careless and always put up those sound proof mats if there is a next time.

Don't die?

From, Jack

The sky is blue,

The clouds are white

Rum is lighter than maroon.

The barn is a mess

full of scarves and dress

That are lighter than heaven.

Sue in the middle with a black over black

and a bandanna made out of blue.

Uncle Jon is drunk

after the frothy champagne was given out and

Auntie T is player poker.

Suddenly the BANG of chrome .45

starts coming our way.

Little June that was trying beer and

Barney that was singing the anthem

Suddenly looked like an angel.

For there white wings were sprouting like

Leaves on a grape vine

and their halo was illuminating in the darkness.

For then comes a man

with a cowboy hat and

a crumb of oatmeal.

"He looks just like woody,"

Says Builder Simon who couldn't care less for his gun.

"O, fancy and charming," says ballerina Janice who

is as beautiful as a swan.

Suddenly the Chrome with pearl grips

is suddenly pointed at me,

I'm on the wrong end of chrome with the wrong identity

and all I can think of is hell.

For after me bad deeds and after

the whiskey it's surely going to be me.

"Let her be the person who goes!" so called woody said

"Hear, hear" Sue, Uncle Jon, Auntie T, Little June, Barney, Builder Simon and Ballerina Janice say.

before a bang and i feel queasy

for hell here I come....

To you,

All I ever got from you was how to smoke cigarettes without my parents noticing. Or how to punch my brothers jaw for kicking me in the guts before running away in fear of getting caught. I never learnt anything from you because you always saw the dirty way of things. You never saw the police as something scary instead you found them a joke. A joke that you could never stop laughing at.

Things really got tough when the whole kidnap drama happened. It happened so fast though that I couldn't believe it. School was never easy and teachers just wanted more out of you unless you were Jane (teachers pet.) My best memory was probably spitting paper balls out of straw at Maxwell for being the school nerd. I couldn't believe the day when you told me that you were finally going to change. I remember how that lasted a day before you were back into your old habits.

Anyway won't bore you, I know you suck at reading. Getting such a low SAT that they didn't even give you a score. Please don't come looking for me because I'll know and I'll end up finding you. I'm trying to change and you are the last person I need. If Santa was real you would be on the top of the naughty list. If you end up finding me I would say that you would be like a cat that doesn't stop following you around.

I'm trying to change, I might never get into Harvard but maybe at least I'll meet Bill Gates. I'm currently writing to you while writing for a $25 competition so I can earn a portion for my gas for the trip as petrol prices are booming. When one day you've got cancer, are behind bars and are in critical condition please don't come looking for me because I'll be somewhere writing. Have a good life! Don't die?

Somewhere over the rainbow,

Emma