Page 33 of Totally Wrecked
I’d probably be trying my best, but I’d be in the way, maybe accidentally break the life rings, or get stung by a deadly jellyfish. Being the one in command was something I ran a million miles from normally, but now I have no choice.
I sing the theme tune toChampion of the Worldand once again pretend I’m Action Jackson….
What…
Ah!
I fell asleep and almost sank beneath the waves. I spit out mouthfuls of salt water. I’m useless.
As I grasp the rings, Leander opens his eyes.
“Urhgh,” he groans, shifting his position.
“Hey, hey.” I take hold of his face with my pruney hands. “Don’t freak out, we are in the sea. There was an accident, and the boat blew up.” Yeah, don’t freak out. Good one.
But he doesn’t freak out, he just stares at me through salt crusted eyes.
“Who are you?” he asks.
“I was on the boat with you, you and your friends were taking me to aChampion of the Worldisland for a TV show,” I answer.
“I don’t remember,” he mumbles.
“That’s OK.”
“What about Rex and Gray?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t see what happened.”
“They’ll be OK…wait, shit, Keyara is with us? How? Fuck, is she OK?”
We both look at the little girl. Her eyes open into slits.
“Swear,” she croaks.
LEANDER
Brooke saved my life, and more importantly, Keyara’s.
But now she looks completely and utterly spent. It’s my turn to save her. We’ll save each other.
“You rest, get inside the ring and try to snooze.”
“No way! You just became conscious again—you could pass out any minute!”
I shake my head, trying to not show that it really hurts, as that would prove her point. “I’ll be alright, honest. Take a breather.”
“I guess for a few minutes, but tie Keyara’s float to your wrist.” She gets inside the ring and is soon half-asleep, silently snoozing as the swells take us up and down.
As she dozes, I hold onto the rings and we drift in the hypnotic nighttime. I could really do with a sexy mermaid to come and take us all to safety. Several sexy mermaids, Oh, and a merman for Brooke. Unless she likes mermaids. Maybe she likes both?
Maybe she likes shellfish. Or sharks?
Do not think about sharks, Leander.
Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck—too late. I’m thinking about sharks. Hungry sharks with rows of teeth. Fuck.
Miles and miles we drift, and I’m only half awake. Keyara sleeps the whole time, thankfully. I’m so zoned out, it takes me a minute to notice that there is a new sound happening. The sound of the sea is different. It’s getting louder.
