Chapter 2

Zelda reacted instantly, stripping off her jacket and wrapping it around him. "Ryan, are you okay? Did the cold water give you a chill?"

"Nah, I'm not that weak," he sniffled. "Don't fuss. Edwin is watching."

"So what?" She shrugged. "You're his buddy. It's only right that I look out for you. Yet he has to make a big deal out of who goes first."

Her words dripped with accusation, aimed squarely at me. But she didn't know the truth: I could not swim anymore, not after that rescue.

That day, she'd stubbornly ventured into deep water and gotten caught in a rip current. No one else dared go in; I plunged ahead without a second thought, pushing her inch by inch toward the shore.

I finally got her to safety, but in that last desperate moment, the undertow slammed my calf into a jagged rock, tearing the ligament instantly. Agonizing pain overwhelmed me, and I sank helplessly.

If the shore lifeguards hadn't spotted me in time, I'd have drowned. The doctors confirmed permanent damage to my leg muscles and nerves. From then on, I could never swim intensely again.

"I'm not lying!" I roared with every ounce of strength, my voice cracking. "When I saved you, my leg got wrecked on that rock! I can't swim anymore!"

Seeing my ashen face, Zelda sensed something was wrong and started to extend a hand.

But Ryan feigned shock, covering his mouth. "Whoa, your leg's injured? I had no clue. When I picked you up from the hospital, the doctor said it was just a sprain. Rest up, and you'd be as good as new. You even joked that thanks to Zelda, you got to play hero and brag about it forever."

Zelda retracted her hand swiftly. "Edwin, keep spinning tales. Leg wrecked? Can't swim? You'll say anything to get rescued first."

"Don't blame him. He's your boyfriend, after all," Ryan interjected sympathetically. "Seeing you save me first must sting. It's my fault, really. If I hadn't loaded up on these gifts for you, he wouldn't have to wait."

He wrapped himself around her, pulling her even closer.

She patted his back reassuringly and turned to berate me. "You heard that? Edwin, I misjudged you. Ryan is more mature. Why can't you learn from him? Stop the nonsense; it's exhausting."

Realizing her tone was harsh, she softened slightly. "You know, I'm doing this for our future. Nail this promotion, and I can get you anything. Just wait a bit. I've studied the water levels; it won't rise quickly. I'll make it up to you later, I promise."

On the verge of collapse, I clung to a floating chunk of broken eave, inching desperately toward the ladder.

The icy rungs were within reach; my fingertips almost brushed them. But Ryan slipped deliberately, stomping hard on the back of my hand.

Searing pain shot through me. I yelped as the force yanked me backward, plunging me fully underwater.

"Oops, didn't see you there," he called out. "You okay? Quit fooling around, or Zelda will really worry."