Chapter 7

I’d never liked the water. Not even when I was young. But right then, it worse than fear. It was pure terror. I’d never been this terrified, not even when I was waiting for death to take from Kyle’s basement. Water was everywhere and everything. It was filling my being, pouring into my lungs.

My heart burned for relief and my throat ached for air. Though I was surrounded in water, I was sure I felt wet tears of pain escape my eyes. I yearned to call out but I feared if I opened my mouth, I’d only be suffocated with water. I felt certain that this was the end, that I was going to die, until I felt a slight tugging on my wrist. I felt the pressure of flesh tighten its grip against my hands as I felt my body begin to float upward.

By now, the world around me seemed to be dimming; my brain suddenly giving up and shutting down. The surface seemed to be nearing, but it wasn’t close enough. I couldn’t identify who was pulling me, if it even was a person, but I wanted desperately for them to hurry. I wanted to tell them that I wouldn’t last much longer underwater, but I couldn’t move. My eyes fluttered as I made one last choking, gasping attempt to inhale but feeling more water pour into my chest, I gave in.

Just seconds later, I felt my head break the surface of the water. The pulling continued, though I was unaware of what was going on. Water was still around me, but it was seeming to lessen and soon I felt gravel scrape lightly against my scalp. I just laid there for a moment, resting my aching bones and trying to force my mind into functioning as I felt myself subconsciously hack and spit up water. Whoever saved me was shaking my shoulders, gently patting my back and helping me sit up as I gasped, then they began to stroke my cheekbones.