Unfading Shadows [2]

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Vince's comforting words made Miray feel like a weight had been lifted, and she swam like a fish, reveling in the joy of playing with everyone. The atmosphere was light-hearted, with games like passing the ball and daring dives adding to the fun. Miray cherished every moment, feeling grateful that everyone trusted her enough to allow her to join in the play.

The moment felt like a dream, a bubble of happiness Miray wished would never burst. Yet, reality struck hard when, out of nowhere, her energy died down, and her body temperature dropped. The weightlessness she had felt turned into a suffocating pressure, and panic set in.

Her smile faded into a look of desperation as she gasped for air, the world around her blurred into a disorienting white haze. Panic gripped her, and her attempts to reach out for help became frantic. Each breath felt like a battle against drowning, and the water seemed to close in, threatening to engulf her.

In a moment of sheer panic, Miray tried to call out for assistance. However, the words caught in her throat as she fought against the overwhelming feeling of drowning. Just when despair was about to take hold, Luke appeared beside her out of nowhere, his strong arms instinctively wrapping around her hips. 

"Love, you okay?" he asked in a casual tone, only for his worry to spike as Miray clung to him as if holding onto her very lifeline. A chill ran down his spine as he detected the unnatural drop in her body temperature, the rapid onset of blue on her lips, and the pallor overtaking her face.

"L-lou," she stammered, her teeth chattering audibly. Panic flickered in her eyes as she clung to him, her words shaky but urgent. "I'm t-tired," she managed, the sound of her teeth clashing resonating through the tense air, signaling a perilous situation that demanded immediate attention.

"Hey, baby, relax. I'll take you out, just- just keep breathing, okay?" Luke's words were a soothing attempt to calm Miray, but the truth was, he was the one on the verge of freaking out. Still, he swam outside while holding her firmly with one arm until they reached the shore.

Luke initially intended to carry her to the lounges, but Miray gestured for him to wait, needing a moment to breathe. Gently placing her on the wet sand, Luke kneeled down beside her, urging her to keep breathing, and holding her hand to offer warmth, her icy skin unsettling him.

As Miray lay down, she took deep breaths, her chest rising and falling with each effort. Her body shook uncontrollably, and despite Luke's instinct to move her to the lounges, she insisted on waiting, requiring a moment to collect herself. Gasping for air, her head grew light, and everything blurred into a shade of white.

"Rei! Rei!"

"Stay with me, love."

"Open your eyes, baby, come on, please."

"****, what happened!"

"Babe, open your eyes, come on!"

"REI!"

Desperate pleas filled the air, echoing around Miray as she struggled to respond. She could hear the urgency in their voices, but opening her eyes felt like an insurmountable task, the world slipping away despite her attempts to hold on.

Kaiden and Rayan hurriedly fetched towels from the lounges, finding Sophie looking concerned and questioning what was happening as she noticed the gathering near the shore. When Kaiden informed her that Miray wasn't feeling well, Sophie promptly joined them.