Page 12 of Savage Protector

“Jack?”

At Ethan’s command, Jack squeezes a final burst from the beleaguered engine, and we come alongside the spot where we last saw her. He brings the craft to a stop. We all lean over the rail, peering downwards into the grey, swirling depths.

Nothing. She’s gone, eaten up by the relentless ocean.

“Was it even her?” Rome wonders.

“It was a girl all right.” Ethan had the benefit of the binoculars, so his sight was clearer.

“There!” I lean out further, focusing on the fast-disappearing reddish smudge in the water. “She’s down there.”

“Are you sure?” Ethan leans out alongside me. “I can’t?—”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” I kick off my training shoes and jump up onto the rail.

“Zayn, you can’t— Oh, fuck.”

Ethan’s voice is the last thing I hear before I launch myself into the water.

I dive down, straight down, swimming hard in an attempt to reach her. She’s vanished from sight now, but I know what I saw. Shewashere. She was.

There.The red shape briefly materialises before me, barely a hand’s stretch away. I still can’t make out any detail, but I know I have to reach her. I kick harder, stretch out my arm, and my fingertips connect with something. Fabric. Definitely.

Another kick brings me precious inches closer. My lungs are burning, but I’m almost there. Just one more stroke…

Yes!I manage to grab a fistful of that deep-red fabric and drag her towards me. A pale face emerges from the gloom framed by a halo of long, dark hair. Even in the murky water I see that she’s of Asian descent, like me. She’s probably already gone, but even so…

I turn my body and start to kick for the surface.

I can’t see daylight, but I know it’s there, far above me. The girl isn’t especially heavy, but I’m out of air, exhausted. My strokes are weakening, I can’t…

Strong hands are suddenly beside mine, taking the weight, kicking strongly, dragging both me and the girl upwards. Then someone else is with us. He takes the girl from me, and I let her go. I can do no more…

Black spots float before my eyes. My arms and legs are limp, I’m losing consciousness…

“Zayn, can you hear me?”

I open my mouth, but no words emerge.

“Zayn. Zee. Wake the fuck up, lad.” Someone is shaking me by the shoulders. “You’re not fucking leaving us now. Jack, get us back. Fast.”

I’m lying on something hard and smooth, which tips suddenly, and an engine roars close by.

“Zee, I know you can hear me. Open your fucking eyes and look at me.”

I need… I can’t…

“Yes, you fucking can. Do it, now.”

I have to obey; I took an oath.

“So, keep it, lad. Come back. Now.”

With what feels like a super-human effort, I prise my eyelids apart, then blink in the bright sunlight. “Where…?”

“You’re on board theSeasprite. You’re safe now.” Ethan is kneeling over me. My head is in his lap, he’s dripping wet, his features lined with worry.

It all rushes back. I suck in precious gulps of oxygen, struggle to sit up. “The girl? Did we…? Is she alive?”

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