Emerson and Spencer

chapter five

 Spencer and Emerson untangled themselves from ropes as seawater flooded in, dissolving the ship. They were now half underwater. Trapped under the boat, oxygen fading, she took one breath and dove beneath the black water, heart thumping. She resurfaced, no longer trapped but watching the boat capsize. Spencer soon followed, and they tread water.

"We can't let it sink," Em said. "So that leaves one option.” Spencer nodded. They both understood. They had to dive and pull the boat upright. They dove under again, and with the sun rising they could now see how deadly the situation they were in was. And she remembered the jellyfish from last night, which could well be in the water still, and a new layer of fear rose. They truly had to pull the boat upright, or risk being stung by box jellyfish. Spencer dove under the boat and pushed the mainmast up, but it was no use. The boat was almost fully upside down. Their ship, once a place of refuge, was now a death trap. Surely we will die here, in the ocean, by drowning or by getting stung, Emerson thought. She duckdived under the boat, to get to Spencer and try and help him raise the mast. But as she was so close to the surface- something snatched at her neck and dragged her back under- she had swum into a coiled rope.  Her noose. When she was giving up hope, she heard a scream- a pleading yell- her own name. Spencer. He realised where Emerson must have been- and dove under the capsized boat. He had no belief nor thought that he would live, just a dying wish that Em would. Emerson felt the ropes release her.  She surfaced, Spencer shortly after. It was dawn now, and people were beginning to wake. Screams and yells confirmed that all who were awake knew that Emerson and Spencer were in trouble. Some dove into the ocean straight away, others gingerly tested the water before sliding in. Before too long, half the camp was hauling boat four up to its upright position. The water became calm again, without the thrashing of people trying to turn the Pacer upright. Emerson thanked everyone so sincerely, probably way over the top, yet she still didn't think it was adequate. When everyone was gone, she turned on her heel, and faced Spencer. "And you," she whispered, "Thankyou." He leaned in and pressed his lips to her forehead. "Em, I could never let anything happen to you. I love you."

She kissed him, and she whispered, "And I love you, Spence. More than anything."  They stood there, locked in a tight embrace, as the world went by. Fishermen, jetskiiers. The odd camper. Emerson and Spencer were inseparable.

 "Hey, lovebirds. C'mere. I've heard you guys capsized a boat. NOW." Shouted Trev, gesturing for them to run.

 "We better be going," Spencer whispered into her ear, and kissed her neck softly. He flashed a grin and jumped onto the neighboring boat, and then the next one. Emerson followed, until they had both reached the staff boat.

"What. Happened." Trev coughed.

Spencer spoke.