Johnny Zucker

Max Flash: Game On

Max Flash struggled desperately with the metal chains wrapped tightly round his upper body. They dug into his ribs and pinched at his back. Water gushed all around him. It was already up to his waist and rising fast. If he didn’t get out of here in the next minute, his whole body would be submerged.
  He twisted to the left ad then to the right. One of the chains uncoiled and fell down into the water. He allowed himself a tiny spark of satisfaction, but the water still rose. It was now halfway up his chest. He yanked his right elbow violently backwards and another chain came free. He tried the same move with his left elbow but the next chain remained in place. He cursed under his breath and slammed his left fist forwards and backwards until the third chain slipped off.
  The water continued its rapid ascent, sweeping against his chin.
  Come on, come on! Get the fourth chain off!
  A sluice of water trickled into his mouth and Max spat it out violently. He shook his torso and brought his elbows crashing together, causing the final chain to disconnect. As water started to snake up his nostrils, Max reached out and grabbed the ledge above him. He dragged himself upwards, scrambling over the lip of the tank and landing on the hard wooden floorboards with a squelchy thud.
  He bent double, resting the palms of his hands on his thighs, and tried to get his breath back.
  ‘Pretty good!’ nodded Max’s dad, walking towards him and turning off the tap that had been flooding the tank with water. ‘But it was a close call. You could do with being five seconds faster.’

Max Flash: Game On © Johnny Zucker, 2007. Published by Stripes Publishing.