Page 20 of Sink With Me

“Look at me!” Daymen grasps onto my shoulders, shaking my body trying to pull my attention. My gaze drops, lips agape. He tilts his head trying to block the view but it’s useless, I can see each soldier I’d come to know sprinting across the deck. The commander panics trying to reel back up a lifeboat that had fallen from its spot. Crew members have started jumping over the sides. A burst of orange and red throws the swinging metal door off the hinges over our heads.

This is it.

A loud blast follows the large flames expanding from the middle of the boat like a monster crawling to the surface from a dark hole.

My body is launched from the deck, my skin instantly tightening from the unanticipated temperature change, eyes burning from the sting of water that suddenly coats them. I fight against the rush that pulls me under, flailing my legs until I reach the top sucking in a breath of air only to drop back under again.

My mom and dad never stood a chance. At least we made it out of the lower units, but they were trapped with no way out. With the scratch in my throat and my fingers pruning I can only imagine what it felt like knowing they couldn't escape it. What if I end with the same fate?

I break the surface again sucking in a harsh breath, my lungs burn against the salt and smoke that coats them. The voices in my head turn into screams and groaning metal echoing off the water.

“Daymen!” I try to yell only to swallow some water as I flail my arms in an attempt to tread, realizing his hand is still wrapped tightly around my arm. I fight to breathe but it burns. My lip's part but nothing comes out. Just let me apologize. I can fix this. Everything can be okay. I hold onto Daymen's wrist letting the push and pull of his arms against the water guide mine.

Water surges through my nose as his body is abruptly pushed under, pulling me with him. Something large and hard pressed against my abdomen replacing the rippling feeling I had just felt from him. Something pries my hand off. I force my eyes open against the burn to see Daymen holding my hand tight with one hand pushing away at my other as a large panel squeezes its way between us.

Our eyes lock. It’s too dark. My muscles scream in protest as I try to hold onto him, only for him to continue and try and push me off.

Let me help.

I can’t hold my breath much longer, I let go and kick as hard as I can up to the surface as I glance down to him slowly descending trying to wriggle free from the pull.

Don’t leave me too.

Date: 4-30-2024

Time: 0720

The sound of the explosions has me forcing my arms around Moe, tackling him to the ground so hard his yelp is audible over the boom. The ship is close enough to shore that debris is filtering through the sky, raining down ashes from the clouds above.

My ears ring. Squeezing my eyes shut I try to shake the noise away, my hands sinking into the warm sand beneath Moe’s head. The feeling is the only thing I can focus on while I pry my eyes back open. What in the bloody hell was that?

I stare at him. His lips are moving, but I can’t hear a single thing over this fucking ringing. Sending my gaze over his physique, he seems fine, flailing his hands into my chest in an attempt to get me off. He’s okay, but I’m not. All I see is red.

Stumbling to my feet I grab the closest person by the collar. Thankfully, it’s Sam. His eyes quickly bring me back to the beach, firm hands grabbing my wrists and pushing me off him, holding them tightly in case I do decide to swing. He looks just as shocked as I am as he gives me a final push, causing me to stumble back. I realize I’m yelling and swearing at anyone standing by, giving out meaningless orders because no one is listening to a single thing I say, they’re all just staring out at the water. Brushing my fingers through my hair, I burl around to see the product of what just happened.

The ship, split in two and slowly sinking beneath flames that engulf what’s left of it. What’s going on? How did this happen so close to my shore? I’m standing right here on the beach; I was waiting for her. Jesus Christ. I look around at my team that I gathered here to receive their ship. They’re starting to talk, starting to exchange glances. I begin pacing nervously, my hands piled atop my head as I think. I didn’t do this. I know I didn’t do this. This is a fucking set up.

I need to find Cordelia.

I can feel the sounds around me coming back, a loud creaking emanating from the ship as it continues to go down. I’m not about to be framed for a crime I didn’t commit and she’s not getting off that easily. My eyes are so wide with panic they might roll out my skull. I need to do something; they’re all waiting for me to do something.

As if Sam senses my thoughts, he’s sprinting across the sand towards the motorboat by the dock. My first steps are unsteady, sinking quickly into the soft ground as I walk backwards, shouting my orders. It’s not until I get nearer the firm stuff at the water's edge that the floodgates open and adrenaline rushes my system. I’m sprinting, I’m on the dock, I’m on the boat. We’re moving.

Metal panes and various arrays of heavily damaged equipment float around, bobbing in and out of the murky surface. The boat jerks and I know a piece just ran through the motor. I need to think straight, one hand holding onto the side of the boat, the other thrumming my chest. The air is impossibly humid and thickening with smoke. Goosebumps are rising along my flesh, noises jumbling together as the ringing dulls.

I lean over the side, looking frantically around, taking in each body that we move by each more gruesome than the last; others lay face down, others are already bluing at the mouth. Missing limbs floating in every direction. Sam slows the boat.

“Cas, do you see anything?”

I keep looking around. He knows how important it is for me to get her because he understands she plays a vital part in this war. We need her. My chest is feeling crushed under a ten-pound brick.

“No,” I shake my head, “nothing yet, keep going.”

My hopes are fading, and I feel her picture burning a hole in my pocket, making each second that ticks by drag out like hours. I need her. Pushing back my hair, I wipe off the droplets of sweat running down my forehead. My heart’s racing too fast. She can’t matter to me like this, she’s just a minor obsession of mine. Like a hobby. That also happens to be the priority target. Nevermind all these other bodies, the only one I need, and I need alive, is her.

Nimble fingers break through the surface ahead, causing ripples that draw my attention immediately. My cheeks puff with an exhale of relief when unusual black, wet hair rises up amongst the waves, clinging to her head as she darts it around in fear.

“SAM!” I shout, pointing in her direction. That feeling of calm quickly dissipates when the suction of the sinking ship pulls her back under. I stand, stabilizing myself as we hit another unforgiving wave, already pulling my shirt from my head and tossing my wallet and knives to the floor of the boat. I swear when I get my hands on her—

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