uickly； effortlessly…he would reach the surface in two and a half minutes。
There was plenty of time。
He moved the submarine close to DH…8。 The exterior ＇＇344＇＇ habitat floodlights were yellow and pale。 Power must be dropping。 He could see the damage to the cylinders…streams of bubbles rising from the weakened A and B Cylinders； the dents in the D； and the gaping hole in E Cyl； which was flooded。 The habitat was battered； and dying。
Why had he e so close？ He squinted at the portholes； then realized he was hoping to catch sight of Harry and Beth； one last time。 He wanted to see Harry； unconscious and unresponsive。 He wanted to see Beth standing at the window； shaking her fist at him in maniacal rage。 He wanted confirmation that he was right to leave them。
But he saw only the fading yellow light inside the habitat。 He was disappointed。
〃Norman。〃
〃Yes； Beth。〃 He felt fortable answering her now。 He had his hands on the controls of the submarine； ready to make his ascent。 There was nothing she could do to him now。 〃Norman； you really are a son of a bitch。〃
〃You tried to kill me； Beth。〃
〃I didn't want to kill you。 I had no choice； Norman。〃
〃Yeah； well。 Me； too。 I have no choice。〃 As he spoke； he knew he was right。 Better for one person to survive。 Better than nothing。
〃You're just going to leave us？〃
〃That's right； Beth。〃
His hand moved to the ascent…rate dial。 He set it to 6。6 feet。 Ready to ascend。
〃You're just going to run away？〃 He heard the contempt in her voice。
〃That's right； Beth。〃
〃You； the one who kept talking about how we had to stay together down here？〃
〃Sorry； Beth。〃
〃You must be very afraid； Norman。〃
〃I'm not afraid at all。〃 And indeed