Love Next Door

Chapter 7

Stephanie's throat felt like it was on fire. Her legs were going to give up. Her lungs were screaming for breath. Her arms flailing around were sore. There before her was...a shark. It wasn't too big, but it looked like it was ready for a meal. It's circular eyes stared at Stephanie. The shark started to swim quickly towards her, its sharp teeth baring at her. The speed was unbelievable. Stephanie tried to swim away, but she hadn't swam in years. The shark was now onto her. It bit her. Stephanie's left thigh seared with a crying pain. The blood flowed out of her body and into the water. Of course, the shark wanted blood. Her arms felt broken. I guess the is the end for me. I love you, Ben. I remember my promise. I won't leave you. I'll always be in your heart. Forever and always. I'll see you again, someday. I wish the best for you. Start a family. Love someone else. Don't forget me though, as you promised. That's the best for you and I want you to live a happy life. But for now, goodbye, my love.

Ben wasn't a swimmer. He knew that before he could get there, he might drown. But Stephanie. He couldn't leave her. The salty water entered his mouth as he breathed. The waves made it even harder to swim. They washed him back, wasting all his efforts. Ben didn't give up. Please, Stephanie. Hang on. I'm coming for you. I...I know I'll make it there. Just hang on...you have to be alive. You have to. He panted, but kept kicking as hard as he could. He had to get to Stephanie. Just as he was about to give up, he found himself staring straight at blood. Oh my fucking God...is that... Ben frantically looked around for a sign of Stephanie. There wasn't a sign of her. He looked down and... there she was. Drowning. Unconscious. Ben took a deep breath of air and dived down. He ignored his painful, stinging eyes as he swam down. He finally reached Stephanie, just as he ran out of breath. He grabbed her. I can't make it, with extra weight and nothing to breathe. Am I going to die here? Ben hurriedly tried to surface, but as he got more tired, and needed more air, his legs slowed down. His vision blurred. And he blacked out.