Leon didn't wait any longer before putting on his wetsuit and swimming again. With eyes filled with determination, he swam with a flashlight in the darkness.
Without direction or purpose, Leon only trusted his instincts and swam aimlessly.
This is crazy. It's truly madness. You can just stay there as usual and wait. There may be a delay in rescue. Maybe it was bad weather outside so John couldn't save him.
Wouldn't that way, you would be able to ensure your safety?
You should know that John is a person who values his friends. He will definitely look for you.
Your actions will only make things difficult for him. Maybe when you left, John would have arrived with a rescue team.
A voice that seemed to be bewitching appeared in his head. Those words are so logical and true. In this situation, he would only be seeking his death if he acted rashly.
His mind logically rejected this action. Maybe it was because he was always short of oxygen that he started hearing sounds he shouldn't hear.
Leon ignored the voices and continued searching and following his instincts. In this situation, it was impossible to remember the path he could take.
Everything is dark. Complete darkness.
Over time, his breathing began to become short. The oxygen cylinder he carried became lighter and lighter. In the midst of darkness, Leon floated while looking at the darkness in front of him with only a flashlight.
"Am I wrong? Maybe John has already come there. "Maybe there's already a rescue team looking for him based on the clues I've spread."
Am I really wrong? Was my decision to leave that narrow place a mistake?
No!!! you were wrong from the start. You were wrong from the moment you decided to leave that place.
You were wrong from the moment you decided to participate in this stupid activity. You are wrong for causing yourself like this.
You are wrong!!! This is all your fault!!!
Leon continued to move and found a human with only bones left and equipment similar to his. He stopped while looking at the skeletal figure.
Maybe if you don't leave there you won't die like the humans in front of you.
Maybe if you hadn't decided to go to this stupid activity, you wouldn't have died as these bones. See your future. That is what will happen if you foolishly follow the blind belief you have.
Did you stupidly believe that you would survive after this???
Doubt invaded Leon's mind with other voices as if scolding himself. Maybe due to the lack of oxygen, he started hearing strange things. It could just be that his mental state was messed up because of this stupid thing he did.
Leon just laughed while answering the voices that doubted him. Even though no one was looking, his eyes seemed as calm as a lake. There is no turmoil or fear.
"I know I'm stupid. I know that this could kill me. But, if I just stay there, I will eventually die. Therefore, I braved myself and stepped forward even if I knew it would kill me."
Besides, what's the difference between dying there and dying in this place? Isn't that both dead?
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From the moment Johnny didn't come to save me, I decided to find my own way out. Even if voices appeared inside my head, it would be too late to regret it.
Aren't you afraid?
"Of course I'm scared. I've felt fear all my life. Afraid that after experiencing everything in this world, I would be trapped by endless boredom. Afraid that if I love someone, they will just leave me alone."
"And now… What else do I have to fear."
…
The voice did not answer again. Leon who didn't bother to think about why was suddenly silent. But a memory emerged in the depths of his memory and played like watching a theater.
If you had waited a little longer, you might have been saved and none of this would have happened.
What if you don't make your decision now? Maybe your future will be different from now.
Leon could see himself continuing to survive in the cave while surviving with the oxygen cylinder he had. While looking up at the ceiling of the cave, Leon kept his mind busy so that not a single thought disturbed him.
Time continued to pass but the self in the memory didn't care. He will occasionally release flares which give him clues to John who can search for him. Even though he was a little late, John managed to find Leon in a narrow place and left the place together.
The memory continues. On John's large yacht, Leon was treated by medical personnel prepared by John.
"You're really crazy, bro."
"That's right, you are really crazy. Going alone when we dive under the sea is crazy. You could kill yourself."
The people around Leon were also worried about him. Even Leon, who was in a weak state, could only smile. "Thank You. I am truly grateful."
"If you want to thank me, treat us to pizza when we get back from here." John patted Leon's shoulder with a smile.
"We'll eat until you can't eat anymore." Leon smiled and laughed when he heard it.
It was a happy ending. A happy ending if he decides to stay there.
But right now… Leon couldn't even hope for the same thing to happen to him. He had come too far to turn back and was too tired to continue.
He could only stay silent in the cave accompanied by human bones and darkness on all sides.
Do you regret it?
The voice appeared again and asked Leon. Leon could only remain silent and not answer the question.
Do you regret it? Maybe the rescue team had already come there and saw that there was no person named Leonardo Constantine. They will eventually come back and won't be able to save you.
Leon once again didn't answer. He looked at the bones in front of him. Seeing the possibilities of the future he will face now.
Dead and in an unknown dark place. Death without friends or someone accompanying you.
The voice asked again for the third time.
Do you regret it? You could have lived happily like that but you chose your destruction by stepping onto an unknown path?
This is the payment you will receive. Dead in an unknown place. Losing the happy life you should have.
This time Leon didn't ignore him. He placed the flashlight between the bones in front of him and looked at it one last time.
His chest was tight because there was no more oxygen to breathe. The tube which was originally heavy has now become very light.
Leon endured the pain from his lungs lacking air. He took his last breath before removing the empty oxygen cylinder.
Slowly, he slowly took off the diving helmet he was wearing while looking at the bones in front of him. While swimming past the bones and leaving them behind. With this Leon entered pitch darkness without the slightest light.
This time, he asked himself.
"Do I regret it?"
"During my life, I did a lot of crazy things just to satisfy my passion for something. I have a lot of regrets, a lot of unanswered questions."
I lost both my parents when I was little due to food poisoning. I regret not reading medical books that could have saved them.
I started to wonder if only I hadn't felt bored at that time and read more books, maybe things would have been different.
I lost many of my best friends. Some died on the journey, some died of disease, and some died of being murdered. Only I survived the many dangers but not my friends. During my travels, I often regretted bringing them along.
I started to wonder, would things have been different if I hadn't started my journey? Maybe they will still live, get married, and have children. Am I wrong in starting this journey?
"I've regretted too much and asked too much. In the end, I decided to throw all the regrets that were a burden on me behind."
"Even I threw away the regrets and questions I had to myself. I will chase and see something in this world. Experience various new experiences and meet new friends."
"I live and survive, I live and feel, I live and I am happy. In this world, I have no more regrets."
"Even if it means death awaits me ahead."
Leon answered all the questions in his head while looking at the light that appeared in front of him. Without asking too many questions, with the last hope emerging, Leon immediately stepped into the light.
When he woke up, Leon arrived at an old cabin while feeling extremely cold. "This is… Everest?"