A Devious Exchange

Where the Water Bends

Then, I hear nothing.

The sense of serenity builds with the growing pressure in my ears, the tight muscles around my eyes loosening to a relaxed position. I want to be frightened, in fact I almost wish I were, but the feeling of the cool water on my open cuts, aching feet, and sweaty skin felt so refreshing. I hadn't noticed the number of perforations casted across my body till now, the initial sting blurring with the whispers of the water. It pulled me almost into a sleep-like state, lulling my mind into a cloudy haze of blacks and blues.

Miook hadn't strayed too far from where he fell onto me, his arm and shoulder casted across my back in a side hold. His eyes were shut tight, his black hair flying everywhere in the whipping current. I couldn't feel the ground at all, only the rocky side of the gorge that held no place to hold onto.

And behind the allusive tranquility, a growing pressure presented itself inside my chest. It fisted my heart in a tight hold, a now uncomfortable chill invading the depths of my veins as a need for air suddenly reeled my fight of flight response. My eyes cracked open wider as my mouth opened for its necessity, only for a heavy liquid to drench its tunnel. The strangulation increased, a fair warning that its swim now or never, and I obliged.

I swung my arms out in front of me, pushing down and up wildly with Miook in tow. The weight of both my dress and him pulled me down as I kicked furiously with barely any advances to the surface. I clawed at the dulled wall and eventually settled on a fallen boulder, wedging myself between it and the wall. The water pushed us eagerly against the rock, splashing wave after wave in a rabid white froth. In my last bit of struggle, I desperately pulled the few, thin strings to release the layers of my skirts. Just that bit lunged me to the top like a bobber on a fishing line.

I inhale the cool air in generous gulps. My now-darker hair clung to my face, a few pieces in my mouth I spit out along with the mineral-tasting water. A nerve-racking chill flew across my exposed, wet skin that drew up the fine hairs like flags. My left arm hung onto Miook's torso like a lifeline, afraid if I let him go he'd become one with the fish.

I couldn't let that happen; he'd done so much for me than any stranger had done in my entire lifetime. He attended to my injuries. He fought against Atticus. Even if he came off rough, he had a good heart. Looking down, I could see a large gash splitting the side of his temple. I ran my thumb across the opened edge, seeing how he must've been hit hard by Atticus somehow, and worst of all- he remained unresponsive to my touch.

"Miook?" I shook his head back and forth. The water was roughly patting at our backs to keep us moving, but my grip against the strewn boulder kept us still.

"Wake up!" I yelled in his ear, rubbing my knuckles against his chest in a last pitch of effort- which both fortunately and unfortunately worked.

Suddenly, his eyes flung open, and he coughed a large sum of water out right against my neck, making my gag. His fingers gripped my arms tighter in defense, squeezing them painfully as if he was still fighting Atticus.

"What the hell?" He gripped, rubbing his eyes harshly with the back of his hand.

"More like what were you thinking!" I hollered, shoving his side. He opted to pull away, almost slipping off the rock if I didn't pull him back in by his shirt.

"What do you mean what was I thinking? I was trying to help!" He snapped back, wincing as his finger brushed across the cut. His head simultaneously tilted back, his eyes looking around our surroundings in distaste.

I heaved exasperatedly, almost rolling my eyes. "And riling Atticus up is your way of helping? Read the room! He was chasing after me like a lunatic so what made you think he'd take you calling him out nicely?"