Page 119 of Rescuing Mia

Terrifying.

Ethan, Hank, Walt, and Gabe all take one giant step off the trawler and plunge into the ocean. I take a step back, shaking my head.

“I c-cant. I can’t do this.” I turn to Rigel, pleading with him. “Please, there has to be another way.”

“Mia, you’ve got this. We need to go.” Rigel is beside me, his presence a steadying force.

He points to Ethan and the others, who slowly drift away from the trawler.

I hesitate, my feet feeling like they’re glued to the deck. I look atRigel, his calm, determined eyes meeting mine. I have to do this, but the fear consuming me is overwhelming.

He’s right.

I know it.

There is no other way.

I take a deep breath and nod, placing all my trust in the man standing beside me. Rigel wouldn’t make me do this unless he was absolutely certain I would be okay.

Together, we step off the edge and plunge into the icy embrace of the ocean.

The shock of the cold water hits me like a slap, and for a moment, I’m consumed by panic.

My breaths come in short, frantic gasps. Water closes over my head. I hyperventilate, and I thrash, desperate for air.

Then, Rigel’s strong arms wrap around me, pulling me close. He’s there, holding me tight, orienting me in the water. His touch is reassuring, and slowly, my panic starts to subside.

I focus on his steady grip, on the calm in his eyes, and I breathe more evenly.

We bob on the surface, Rigel’s arm still around me. The water is cold and dark, but his presence is a lifeline.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice muffled by the water.

“I think so.” I nod, taking deep breaths to calm myself.

Blake enters the water last, making a large splash. He goes under, then pops back to the surface moments later. Ethan and the others swim toward us while the trawler’s engines cut in, and it moves away.

“Good,” he says. “Let’s do a final check. Everything secure?”

I nod again, feeling the weight of the BCD keeping me afloat. I guess it’s not its weight but rather the air inside of it that keeps me floating.

Rigel signals thumbs down—it’s time to go under.

No. No. No.

I don’t want to do this. Panic rises again as he deflates the air from my BCD. The sudden sinking sensation is terrifying, and I cling to him, my heart racing.

“Trust me.” His steady voice breaks through my fear. “Put your regulator in your mouth.” He makes an exaggerated gesture as he places his regulator into his mouth. Then, he deflates his own BCD.

We descend slowly. The water covers my shoulders and moves up my neck. Then my chin goes under. I suck in a breath and squeeze my eyes shut as the water closes over me.

The world above disappears.

I wish I could say I’m brave, but my initial reaction is sheer panic. The feeling of sinking, the weightlessness, the unfamiliar pressure—it’s all too much.

Rigel’s arm is firm around me, and his powerful kicks keep us steady.

Breathe, Mia. Just breathe.

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