Echoes of the Past

Chapter 12

"Cole," I said softly, my voice tinged with concern. "The weather's changing. We should head back."

He looked up at the sky, his brow furrowing as he took in the gathering clouds. "Yeah, you're right. Let's get out of here before it gets worse."

We turned toward the shore and began swimming back, but the ocean, which had been so calm just moments ago, was growing restless. The waves started to swell, pushing against us with increasing force, making it harder to move forward. The water around us churned, the once gentle waves now slapping against our bodies with a cold, biting intensity.

"Come on, Ava," Cole urged, his voice strained as he fought against the growing current. "We need to hurry."

I nodded, trying to keep my panic at bay, but the water seemed determined to pull us under, dragging us back as we struggled to reach the shore. Each stroke took more effort than the last, my arms and legs burning with the exertion. The sky above us grew darker still, the clouds swirling together in a menacing dance, and I could feel the first drops of rain beginning to fall, cold and heavy against my skin.

"We're almost there," Cole shouted over the rising wind, his voice a lifeline in the growing chaos.

I pushed myself harder, focusing on his voice. But just as we were about to reach the shallows, a massive wave surged up behind us, crashing over our heads with a force that knocked the breath from my lungs. I was thrown under the water, the world around me dissolving into a swirl of salt and shadow. I fought to find the surface, my lungs burning as I struggled against the water's grip.

Just as I thought I couldn't hold my breath any longer, a strong hand grabbed my arm, pulling me up and out of the water. I gasped for air, choking on the saltwater that filled my mouth, but I was alive, clinging to Cole as he dragged me toward the shore.

Finally, we stumbled onto the sand, collapsing onto the beach as the storm broke overhead. The rain came down in sheets, and the wind howled around us, whipping the trees into a frenzy. I could hardly see through the downpour, the world around us was reduced to a blur of gray and white.

"Are you okay?" Cole shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the storm.

 "Yeah, I'm okay. What about you?"

"I'm fine," he replied, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He reached out, his hand brushing against mine, and I grabbed it, holding on tight as we both tried to steady ourselves against the fury of the storm.

"We need to get to the house," Cole said, his voice grim. "This storm is only going to get worse."

"Let's go." We forced ourselves to our feet, our bodies heavy and sluggish from the cold, wet clothes clinging to our skin. The house wasn't far, but with the wind and rain battering us from all sides, it felt like miles.

We moved as quickly as we could, leaning into the wind as we made our way up the beach. The sand was turning to mud beneath our feet, slipping and sliding with every step. I could feel the chill settling into my bones, the adrenaline that had carried me this far beginning to wane, replaced by a deep, aching exhaustion.

But then Cole's hand tightened around mine, and I found the strength to keep going.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we reached the house. Cole pushed open the door, and we stumbled inside, the sudden stillness almost disorienting after the chaos outside. We collapsed onto the floor, our breaths coming in ragged gasps, both of us soaked and shivering from the cold.

For a moment, neither of us spoke, the only sounds were the distant rumble of thunder and the relentless pounding of rain on the roof. Then, slowly, Cole sat up, his eyes locking onto mine.