Page 3 of Gooey

Chapter 2

Moore

If that motherfucker Bill wasn’t already dead and sinking to the bottom of the ocean, I’d hang him by the fucking raptors for everyone to see. How the hell didn’t I know about any of this before now? I didn’t even know that he had a daughter, let alone that he had her hidden here.

I couldn’t give a fuck about the millions he stole from me and my family after what I just witnessed. I’ve never been a reckless person, but seeing that girl’s terrified face and hearing her helpless scream as she tumbled into the water below, I became one.

I don’t even know her name, and yet I dove into the water after her. I can’t let her die this way—I don’t think I can let her die at all.

It’s fucking freezing down here and the waves are heavier than even I can handle but I’m not swimming to the emergency stairs until I get her in my arms.

Sucking in a lungful of air, I search harder, swimming deeper until I see white fabric floating nearby. Relieved to have any sign of her, I push my body harder. With renewed purpose, I ignore the danger surrounding us and focus on her.

As I get closer, more of her form becomes visible. Her hair is all over the place and she’s slowly sinking, likely on the edge of passing out. Using my size to my advantage, I reach for her, my hand eventually connecting around her wrist.

Tugging her light but limp weight, I pull her into my chest and start swishing my feet back and forth to propel us up. I think about the fact that I could be getting myself killed, but feel less stupid when I realize that would mean she doesn’t have to die all on her own.

Neither of us are dying, I snap at myself. I found her, and I’m going to make sure it wasn’t for nothing.

Still slightly puzzled by my determination to save the day, I break through the surface, gasping for hungry gulps of air. When the girl in my hold doesn’t do the same, I nearly scream.

“Stay with me, alright?” I grit out, tugging her along with me while I force myself through the rocky waves.

I need to be fast to get her to safety. She’s ice cold and unconscious, I don’t have long before CPR won’t help.

She doesn’t get to die, not today.

The yelling of men meets my ears and I push harder, knowing that means we’re close. While we were up fifty feet before, there’s a lower access point that we can use to climb up, and it seems like we’re going to be met there.

Looks like my assholish nature hasn’t made my coworkers hate me enough to standby while I die. That’s nice.

“Almost there,” I growl, arms beginning to burn with effort. The current continues to move us, but I keep fighting, inching closer and closer to safety.

Determination courses through my veins, enough to fuel me further. The storm above us hasn’t cleared, the rain pelting us only adding to the obstacles I have to endure. But it’s not enough to stop me.

The shouting becomes closer until it’s inches away. Hard and calloused hands reach for us, swooping down to clasp around my arms so that the water doesn’t tug our bodies away before I can grasp the ladder.

“We got ya!” Rob’s familiar shout meets my ears. Him and three other men have all got their grip on me, guiding me to the shaky steps.

Gathering what strength I have remaining, I thrust her body up, pushing her into their waiting arms. Running on steam, I heft my body onto the platform, heart hammering while I pant, desperate for breath.

Before they can drag us inside, I crawl to her, pushing her hair off of her face to check her pulse. When the skin of her neck jumps with a weak beat, I immediately move to start chest compressions.

After seven firm pumps to her heart, she sputters. Water sprays from behind her lips and she gasps, sucking in as much air as she can manage. Rain continues to drench us and her lips are visibly blue but she’s fucking breathing.

Tugging her into my arms, I lift the pair of us, not even questioning how I’m still able to move. My arms and legs feel like pudding. Even muscles made through hard labor and continuous work can be depleted detrimentally. And still, I’m able to carry her.

The group of us rushes back into shelter and up the countless stairs to a safe height from the storm. Being on the lower levels when the waves get this high isn’t advisable.

The girl in my arms shivers so hard that she whimpers and I hold her tighter. When we finally make it to our common area, we’re ushered toward a bathroom.

“Get in,” Rob tells me, gesturing to the tiled shower. I dip my head down to squeeze the two of us into the small space, letting my knees weaken to sit on the solid bench.

He turns the water to lukewarm so that we aren’t shocked with heat, but it’s still extremely unpleasant. The girl in my arms must think so too because she moans in protest, digging her fingers into my chest.

“S’okay,” I rumble breathlessly, trying to soothe her.

“You’re so fucking stupid,” Rob tells me, letting out a long breath. “I’ve never been prouder of you.”

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