High Tide (9781481413824) by Stine R. L

Author:Stine, R. L.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Chapter 17

I broke the surface, gasping.

Before I could catch my breath, another towering wave broke over me and I went under again.

I could feel the current tugging at me, tugging me hard, tugging me farther out. Fighting against it, I rose to the surface with another choking gasp.

I swiped the water from my eyes and mouth, then squinted against the glare.

No hands reached above the water now. All I saw was churning white foam.

Was I too late?

Another powerful wave washed over me, and I went under. The strong undertow dragged at me. My ears filled with a dull, roaring sound.

I fought my way up, struggling hard not to lose the life preserver. Saltwater stung my eyes and blurred my vision.

I shook my head and blinked furiously.

Where were they?

Where?

Water sloshed into my mouth. Spitting it out, I sucked in a deep breath of air and screamed as loud as I could. “Joy! Raina!”

More water washed into my mouth and nose. Sputtering and choking, I screamed their names again. Then I kicked hard and began to swim.

After a few more strokes I pulled up and scanned the rolling water.

There!

Somebody’s head, just above the surface.

Eyes wide in terror.

Joy!

Another head bobbed up, blond hair streaming with water. I caught a quick glimpse of Raina’s panic-filled eyes, and then she sank again.

But they’re both there! I thought. They’re still alive!

Adrenaline surged through me, and I plunged forward, my arms pumping furiously.

Above the ocean’s roar I heard another sound. No words. Just a high-pitched scream of horror.

Probably Joy. Raina looked too weak to scream.

“Hang on!” I urged them as I swam. “Hang on!”

I drew up again—and saw Joy only a few feet away from me.

Raina was nowhere in sight.

I sucked in as much air as I could, then launched myself through the water toward Joy.

When I was only a couple of strokes from her, Raina’s head bobbed up in front of me.

She looks dead, I thought. Blank eyes. Waxy skin. She’s not even struggling anymore.

As Raina began to sink again, I dived under, grabbed her around the waist with one arm, and pulled—pulled—pulled her to the surface.

“Okay, I’ve got you!” I gasped, struggling to hold her head above the swirling waves. “I’ve got you!”

Raina didn’t respond. Her head lolled to the side. Her slippery body hung limply, its weight pulling us both down.

I kicked hard and yanked her up again. Was she breathing? I couldn’t tell.

“Hang on, hang on!” I muttered as I struggled to get her into the life preserver. “Come on, Raina! Help yourself! Don’t give up now!”

Raina still didn’t respond.

A wave rolled over us. The water pushed, then pulled. Raina almost slipped out of my grasp. But I snagged the strap of her swimsuit and dragged her closer to me.

Only a few seconds before another wave hits, I thought. Then another, and another.

Get the life preserver on her!

Breathing harshly, I finally managed to wrestle Raina into the life preserver.

And then something landed heavily on my back.

Fingers dug into my shoulders.

An arm wrapped around my neck, tightening like a vise.

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