With her pulse quickening and breaths coming out shallow and gasping , Nancy grasped for her hair and pulled . “ What are you doing ?” she shouted . The water flooded toward the hallway . The sea demon growled , a disgusting gurgling that reminded Nancy of drowning lungs . Her eyes flickered over the walls ; an oily black substance crept along the linoleum , instantly rotting the tiles away as it sunk into the puddle of water .
A shuddering crash exploded downstairs , and Nancy cried out in panic . She fled the bathroom while the creature , now in her new lair , snarled out a cackle of triumph . The hallway was filled up with water and rushed down the stairs . Another explosion shook the house with more water flooding the first floor .
Nancy rushed down the first flight of stairs , tripped , and almost fainted when she saw that her living room had become a swimming pool . Her parents grasped each other in a terrified embrace and sloshed toward Nancy . “ What ’ s happening ?” Robert demanded . Another explosion . They all turned toward the sound . Water poured out from the upstairs wall behind them . A shrill giggle echoed throughout the house . Nancy plunged into the water and swam with gasping breaths toward the front door . The once-pristine furniture that her mother cared for floated lifelessly above the floor , creating dangerous obstacles as she approached the only exit .
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