A Devious Exchange

It's either You or Me.

*Mature

I thought it was merely a hallucination when I saw a discrepancy in the shifting waters. The ledge of rock sat unmoving in the distance, not a piece of glowing moss to indicate it was there or simply my imaginations. But either way, it promised an end and new beginning to our exploration.

Someone's splashing awoke my inner turmoil, one for which that quickly lurched my arms forward in decision. We didn't have the choice of perching on a slimy boulder forever, hypothermia seeping into my skin quickly. I shivered just at the thought of a fire, or any kind of warm food or beverage. Even some alcohol would do me good, but that was simply beyond reach.

Tears mixed with the sedimented water splashed all over my face as I swam behind Miook, my nose growing colder to the dulling numbness. This isn't good. I couldn't feel the bandage on my shoulder, it had to have peeled itself off at some point. I barely caught the glimpse of the crusted red and yellow wound, enough to make me turn my head away quickly back into the bobbing water.

"We're in the homestretch now, don't be fumbling out on me now." Miook whispered from ahead, dragging his hand to grip my uninjured shoulder. He was right, just one more swim and we'd have it.

"It's hard to stay on track when..." I trailed, gripping the new boulder and trying to catch my breath frustratedly.

Miook looked behind us in the lingering tension. Someone was with us but we hadn't the slightest idea of who. They were quiet too, calculating. I had hoped it was a lone soldier that had gotten lost at first, or one that fell over the ledge with the lantern in his hand. But they would've called out to us by now. If they did get in the water with us now, they were sure to keep pace with us in gentle strokes and whispered breaths. They didn't want us to know they were here. Worst of all, I felt like they were catching up quickly. Paranoid, I thought I caught glimpses of something irregular between the shadows of the waves in the corners of my eyes. But when my vision unblurred, or I blinked my eyes for just a second, nothing was there.

"If he tries anything, I'll cut em'" Miook promised darkly, emphasizing his words with his sword.

"How do you even carry that around? You've got a bow on your back too." I whispered, perhaps stalling for just a few more easy breaths.

He shrugged his shoulders, rubbing his nose absently. "I've hauled more than just a mere sword and bow. I've carried deadweights triple my size on the battlefield hundreds of times. And besides, I'm out of arrows."

I didn't know how to respond to that, but I was impressed nevertheless. His arms did look toned and bulky, but he still had a little lankness to him. Most of the other men were huge, from weight, to height, to pure girth of their bones. They liked to eat, but every ounce of meat they got went straight into their heftiness.

"If my pride was anymore wounded, I'd play fair and ask you to carry me." I huffed, resting my forehead on the rock.

He chuckled at that, playfully shoving me away from him, "I can't carry you out like a maiden. For one, I ain't no knight. Nor a prince for that matter. Second, your not no princess of mine. C'mon, these waters are freezing."

This time, Miook waited for me to go ahead of him. I wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or worried, one side of me thankful he could push me out and the other mindful that he noticed my sluggish movements. I was wearing down fast, and he probably had the fear I wouldn't come to the surface the next trip.

And it was true. My strokes became lazier and uncoordinated, barely moving forward by unsynchronized kicks. I knew it was likely the outcome of hypothermia and hunger, my arms barely pushing against the water's resistance.