Page 62 of One Night Years Ago

“We need to get you up there,” he shouted, swimming hard to stay in place. With one arm, he was going to need all the help he could get. He timed it so the next wave helped him push her upwards. He raised her as high as he could with his one remaining arm.

Please, please find a way to hold on.

If she fell back into the water, he had no idea what he’d do.

He waited for an instant but she didn’t fall back. He looked up and saw her. Emma was perched on the ledge, on her stomach, reaching out for him. She was safe.

He looked back towards the beach, so close and yet so far away. He’d never make it past the current, not in his current state.

It’s now or never.

He waited for the next wave to come and launched himself up with his good arm. He didn’t get as high as he’d planned and just scraped it with his fingers unable to manage a good grip. He waited to be flung back into the sea, but something held him.

He blinked the sea salt away to see Emma holding on to him for dear life. She had both her hands around his wrist. He also noticed she was slipping.

She’s going to end up back in the water.

“Stop, Emma! I’m too heavy.”

“Hold on to me, damn you!” she croaked.

He looked into her eyes. “You can let go. It’s okay.”

“Fuck you. Natalie would kill me if I let you go.”

And with that, she redoubled her efforts, her nails digging fiercely into his flesh.

Groaning, he managed to get his right arm onto the ledge as well. It was dead weight but at least served to balance him. She pulled him up, inch by inch, until he could get his good leg onto the ledge then pulled up the rest of his body.

He rolled away from the ledge, breathing hard.

“Fuck. I don’t think I ever want to do that again.”

He sat up, cradling his shoulder. He felt a bulge in the front of his shoulder.

Definitely dislocated. Hurts like a bitch.

Emma stayed where she was, looking into the water. He saw her shiver.

She’s probably going into shock.

“Emma? Please get away from the ledge.”

She looked at him with wide, hollow eyes.

“Where is he?” she asked. Tears rolled down her wet face.

“He ran away towards the forest.”

“You left Natalie there with him?” she shouted.

“I know she went to get help.” Then he added, “She would have jumped after you if I hadn’t done so first.”

Emma nodded. “Thank you for jumping after me.”

He kneeled down to untie her legs. The rough hemp had rubbed her ankles raw. It must hurt like a bitch with the salt water, but she didn’t make a noise.

“Did he hurt you?” he asked, his voice tense.