High Tide (9781481413824) Read online

  Heading back toward the lifeguard station, I saw them in the water, splashing each other and laughing. The waves didn’t come any higher than their knees, so I knew they’d be okay.

  When I climbed onto the platform, Sean gave me a quick glance, his eyes narrowed to slits. Then he turned his gaze back to the ocean.

  Definitely not in a better mood, I decided.

  Stepping over his feet, I climbed into my chair and checked out the beach. On the right, a bunch of little kids built a sand castle, digging a moat and letting the waves fill it up.

  Farther down, an old couple walked slowly, their heads bent as they searched for shells.

  A group of noisy high school kids played keep-away with a Frisbee.

  Plenty of people were in the water, but most of them stayed close to shore. I spotted Joy in her bright pink swimsuit and Raina in a black one. They were still only knee-deep.

  Everything seemed under control.

  I turned to Sean.

  He sat like a statue, his face straight ahead. Only his eyes moved, swiveling back and forth as he kept watch on the crowd.

  Shrugging, I reached into my bag and pulled out a bottle of water. I tilted my head back for a drink—and heard a high, shrill scream.

  “Huh?”

  I leapt to my feet, my heart pounding in fear, my eyes scanning the water and the beach.

  Another scream. A flash of red to my right.

  “It’s mine!” a little girl shrieked as she tried to yank a red pail away from another little kid. “Let go, you dummy, it’s mine!”

  Her voice spiraled up and up, into another ear-splitting scream.

  The other little kid finally let go. The girl plopped into the sand and immediately stopped screaming.

  I shook my head. Get a grip, I told myself. It was just a battle over a plastic pail.

  Nobody’s in trouble.

  I stretched my arms and scanned the beach again.

  And then I saw Joy and Raina.

  Waving to me from far out in the water.

  Too far out.

  Why did they go out so far? I wondered.

  Did the undertow pull them? Are they in trouble?

  Raina’s blond head disappeared for a moment. Then it bobbed up again. The two of them frantically waved their arms over their heads.

  My heart raced.

  The current is carrying them farther and farther out, I realized. They are in trouble!

  Another wave swelled, covering both girls completely.

  This time neither one of them came up.

  Chapter 16

  This isn’t happening. It can’t be real! I told myself. It’s another hallucination!

  I told them to stay close to shore. They’re not stupid. They wouldn’t take chances.

  It has to be another hallucination. I’m seeing things again.

  I squeezed my eyes shut, then snapped them open.

  Both girls had surfaced. I could see them clearly, bobbing up and down in the water.

  But they were still too far out.

  And still waving frantically.

  I squinted to see better.

  Raina had tilted her head back, trying to keep her mouth and nose above water.

  Joy stared straight ahead, slapping the water wildly. Thrashing and kicking.

  Out of control.

  Both girls had lost control.

  The current was carrying them away.

  I blinked again. Stared hard.

  Joy had disappeared.

  But I could still see Raina, waving and thrashing. Her face was a pale smudge on the dark water. Her mouth was open in a desperate scream.

  It’s really happening! I realized to my horror.

  It’s real!

  “Let’s go!” I shouted, shoving away from the railing. “Come on, Sean, we—”

  I broke off, stunned.

  Sean’s chair was empty.

  He’s already on his way, I thought as I hurried toward the ladder.

  But then I noticed the life preserver. Still in its place.

  And Sean’s duffel bag was gone.

  He left. He left to take his break without telling me.

  I’m on my own.

  Grabbing the life preserver and the rope, I pitched them over the platform, then clambered down the ladder.

  I picked up the preserver and charged down the beach. As I raced across the sand, I grabbed my whistle and gave it several piercing blasts. Maybe the head lifeguard would hear me from his office on the boardwalk.

  People scattered in front of me. The little girl with the red bucket shrieked again. The high school kids dived out of my way as I pounded toward the water.

  I blew the whistle again. Maybe Sean will hear it, I thought desperately. Maybe he didn’t go very far and he’ll hear the whistle and come back to help.

  At the water’s edge I paused and stared out at the ocean, gasping for breath.

  I couldn’t see Joy and Raina at all.

  Had the current pulled them under?

  I glanced back and forth.

  No sign of Sean.

  He didn’t hear me, I realized. He’s not coming.

  Everyone else on the beach stood frozen, staring out at the water.

  Watching. Waiting. Wondering what was happening. All over.

  “There!” a guy shouted hoarsely. “I see something over there!”

  My gaze snapped to where he pointed.

  At first I saw only waves. Frothy, churning, sounding like thunder as they rolled in.

  But then I saw the hands.

  Two hands above the water, the fingers stretched up to the sky.

  Slowly, they sank beneath the surface.

  Only two hands? I thought as I dashed along the wet, hard-packed sand. Joy’s? Raina’s?

  Had one of them already drowned? Would I be too late?

  No! Don’t even think it! I told myself.

  Get out there and get them!

  I slung the life preserver over one shoulder and raced into the water.

  Sucking in a deep breath, I plunged under the first wave and began swimming toward Joy and Raina.

  I’ll find them! I vowed as I struggled through the waves. I’ll be there in less than a minute.

  But then a question flashed into my mind. A question that nearly paralyzed me in fear.

  Once I’m out there, how will I do it?

  How can I save them both?

  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!

&n
bsp; 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.

  And Joy’s shriek of panic sounded in my ear.

  “Help! Help me, Adam!” She gulped and coughed as water surged into her mouth. “Help me!”

  Her arm pressed hard against my throat, choking me. Keeping the preserver’s rope in one hand, I grabbed Joy’s arm with the other and pulled it loose.

  “Let go!” I shouted. “I’ll help you—but you have to let go!”

  Her scream rose again. Piercing. Hysterical.

  She grabbed hold of my head with both hands. Her fingers clutched at my hair and stabbed me in the eye.

  Another powerful wave pitched against us.

  Raina’s body bumped me. And as we broke the surface, she rolled onto her stomach, her face in the water.

  I yanked hard on the rope. Joy’s nails bit painfully into my face. She pushed on my head, struggling to lift herself higher and higher.

  I sank down, then kicked my way back up, sputtering and trying to throw Joy off me. “Let go!” I screamed. “Joy! Let go!”

  Another wave loosened Joy’s hold on me and brought Raina closer. I grabbed Raina’s shoulder and rolled her over so she faced the sky.

  I still couldn’t tell if she was breathing.

  But she might be, I told myself. I can’t give up on her.

  Got to get her to shore—fast.

  Before I could move, Joy leapt onto my back again, crying and screaming. Totally panicked. Out of control.

  “Joy!” I shouted as I fought to keep her from pulling me under. “Raina’s in bad shape. I need your help!”

  Joy didn’t hear me. Her hands gripped my shoulders. Her legs wrapped around me as if I were giving her a piggyback ride.

  Still screaming wildly, she tried to climb up my back and onto my shoulders.

  My head quickly went under, and I swallowed a mouthful of water. Joy clung to me, struggling, screaming, her weight pushing me farther and farther down.

  Desperate for air, I twisted sideways and kicked hard. Joy rolled off my back, still clutching one of my arms. Kicking again, I fought my way to the surface.

  My chest ached as I gasped in some air. “Joy, listen to me!” I shouted hoarsely. “Try to calm down! You’re okay, but Raina isn’t! She needs your help, Joy! I need it!”

  Her eyes wild with panic, Joy choked and sputtered and clawed at my arms. Then she began screaming again.

  “Joy!” I shouted into her face. “Stop fighting! Help me!”

  Joy clung to me, still screaming.

  I glanced at Raina, floating so limply, so lifelessly, in the water.

  Joy’s grip tightened. We started to sink again.

  She’ll pull us all down, I thought. Do something!

  I can’t rescue them both, I realized. I have to make a choice.

  Decide!

  “Joy!” I shouted. “Raina might be dying. I have to get her to shore!”

  It’s your only choice, I thought. Save Raina. Then get Joy.

  “Stay here, Joy!” I screamed. “You’re fine. You’re not hurt! I’ll take Raina in and come back for you!”

  With a wordless cry, Joy plunged forward and slung her arms around my neck.

  “Get off, Joy!” I screamed. “Get off and I’ll come back for you!”

  My head went under again. I tried to kick my way up, but Joy’s weight dragged me deeper and deeper. As I fought to shove her off, she grabbed the rope and pulled Raina under too.

  Wave after wave surged over us.

  The current pulled and tugged, taking us farther from shore.

  My heart thundered in my chest and ears.

  My lungs screamed for air.

  I kicked again, stretched my neck, tried to get my head above water.

  But I couldn’t break the surface.

  The three of us sank down, farther and farther.

  The weight of the water pressed on my ears, pounded against my head.

  I’m getting weaker, I thought.

  My strength is giving out.

  And time is running out.

  All three of us are going to drown.

  All three of us . . .

  Chapter 18

  My lungs were on fire. My chest felt ready to burst.

  I clamped my jaw tight, fighting against the urge to open my mouth.

  If I breathed now, I’d die.

  We’d all die.

  But I couldn’t hold out much longer. Only seconds, and I’d have to give in and breathe.

  One of Joy’s arms slipped away from my neck. As she struggled to catch hold again, I grabbed her wrist.

  Then I kicked hard, again and again, trying desperately to kick my way to the top.

  Keep going, Adam! I ordered myself. Keep kicking! Don’t give up now!

  Don’t give up . . . .

  Joy’s weight dragged at me, but I could see the sunlight on the surface of the water now. No way would I shut my eyes and let us sink down into the dark.

  I gave another desperate kick. This time my head shot out of the water.

  Exhausted, I gulped in breath after breath of air. My legs felt so heavy, heavy as lead.

  My head pounded and my chest still burned. If only I could just lie back and float.

  Beside me, Joy choked and coughed and tried to grab me in another stranglehold.

  Save Raina, I told myself. Get her to shore.

  Then come back and get Joy.

  Then I can rest.

  Before Joy could clamp her arms around me again, I shoved her away. “Stop fighting!” I cried. “Stop fighting and you’ll be okay!”

  “Nooo!” Joy reached out frantically, thrashed her arms, tried to grab my head.

  I batted her hands away and paddled backward. “I’ll come back for you, Joy!” I promised. “All you have to do is hold on!”

  Joy shook her head, gasping hysterically and reaching out for me again. “Please!” she begged. “Don’t let me drown! Please!”

  “You won’t!” I dragged Raina close to my side and got one arm around her. “You won’t drown—I won’t let you! Listen to me—I’ll come right back!”

  “Nooo!” Joy cried, thr
ashing toward me through the water. “Adam, please don’t leave me! Take us both! Please—don’t let me drown!”

  “I won’t!” I shouted. With one arm around Raina, I kicked away and began swimming toward the shore. “I’ll come back for you, Joy! I promise!”

  I stroked hard with my free arm, swallowing water, choking, dragging Raina along.

  Behind me, Joy’s terrified screams filled the air.

  I shuddered with guilt.

  But I kept swimming away from her.

  I did the right thing, I told myself. I couldn’t save them both at once.

  “Adaaaam!” Joy’s cry sounded farther away now.

  And weaker.

  Don’t look back, I thought. Don’t stop. Joy can still scream, and that’s good. She’ll be okay. Get Raina out first, then go back.

  My legs grew even heavier as I struggled against the current. My arms felt ready to fall off.

  Water kept sloshing into my mouth, and my breath came in raspy, choking gasps.

  I can’t make it, I thought. I’m not strong enough.

  I pulled harder. Kicking . . . kicking . . .

  I tried to kick away my discouraging thoughts. Kick the ache from my muscles. Kick . . . kick . . . kick so hard I wouldn’t feel the ache, or the burning in my chest . . .

  Keep going, I ordered myself. Don’t give up.

  If I give up, we’ll all die.

  Trying to keep Raina’s head from sinking, I dragged my arm through the water again. Kicked my legs. Stroked. Kicked.

  Stroke. Kick.

  One more stroke, and my fingers scraped against the sandy bottom.

  Almost out! Almost safe!

  I rested my knees on the sand, then slowly rose to my feet. My arms shook with exhaustion. My legs felt like jelly.

  Got to go back for Joy, I thought. Pull Raina out, then go back.

  Bending over, I got both arms under Raina’s shoulders and dragged her through the last few feet of water.

  Gasping for breath, I collapsed beside her. Started to turn her over.

  I heard shouts and cries. People running toward us.

  Raina’s back suddenly heaved. I heard a choking sound, and then water spewed from her mouth.

  She’s alive! I saw. She’ll make it.

  Got to get Joy now, I told myself. Raina’s okay. Got to go back for Joy, as I promised.

  Sucking in a deep breath, I pushed myself to my feet and turned back to the ocean.