Chapter 1

My girlfriend, Zelda Malone, frowned. "You said you couldn't swim. Why mess with that worthless gadget?"

I'd told her about the device before, but she never believed me, convinced I was just pulling her leg again.

This time, I ignored her, pressing down firmly on the alarm.

By then, the cold, murky floodwaters had risen past my chest, swirling with mud and debris. Every surge threatened to knock me off my feet.

On the soft ladder, Zelda had climbed about a third of the way up, straining to pull herself higher. Ryan Hyde trailed right behind, hauling a massive waterproof suitcase. Two gleaming safety clips dangled prominently from his harness.

"Zelda! Give me back my clip!" I shouted upward, my voice hoarse and feeble against the thundering helicopter rotors.

She glanced down with irritation. "Edwin, enough already! I told you the next chopper would pick you up. Why are you being so unreasonable?"

Ryan poked his head out. "Buddy, don't be petty. Remember how heroic you were saving Zelda back then? Show us that same spirit today."

The mention of that rescue brought a flicker of guilt to Zelda's face.

But before she could respond, Ryan continued smoothly, "Zelda's up for a promotion, and Edwin, you're not the best at navigating office politics, so it's on me to step up. This suitcase is packed with gifts for her colleagues. A promotion is a huge deal; we can't afford to slack on team morale. Right, Zelda?"

"Absolutely!" Zelda nodded, her guilt evaporating. "Ryan is spot on. These gifts have to make it back intact. Consider this your timeout. Wait here for us."

"It's not that I won't wait. The flood won't!" I explained eagerly.

Ryan cut me off, steering the subject away. "Actually, it's not just gifts for her colleagues. There's a bunch of stuff I picked up for you. You wouldn't want it all ruined by the water, would you?"

He shook the suitcase deliberately, and my waterproof bag that contained my phone and credentials slipped out from the side, vanishing instantly into the raging torrent.

"My stuff!" I cried out in alarm, instinctively reaching for it, but a powerful wave slammed into me, forcing me back and filling my mouth with filthy water.

Ryan winked innocently. "Oops, my hand slipped. You won't hold it against me, right? Anyway, you're an ace swimmer. Maybe you can dive in and snag it back."

I coughed violently and glared up at him with raw fury.

Zelda frowned. "No need to fret over a stupid bag. Just find a higher spot and stop causing trouble!"

I let out a bitter laugh as the murky water neared my chin, forcing me to stand on tiptoes just to breathe. Yet she believed I was causing trouble.

"Please, haul me up. I can't hold on much longer!" I pleaded.

I'd been submerged in the freezing water for most of the night, my strength utterly drained. Only sheer survival instinct kept me going.

But Zelda dismissed it as theatrics. "Edwin, drop the act! Last time in the ocean, you swam like a pro to save me. Who is this performance for? The water's only up to your neck. Swim a bit, and you'll be fine. Why the drama now?"

Ryan suddenly sneezed.