SOUL SNATCHERS

Chapter 22

Slowly, Rose opened her eyes and gasped for air. She tasted the saltiness of the water, which she struggled to expel from her stomach. Coughing, she expelled the seawater from her mouth, allowing oxygen to flow into her lungs. With a burning sensation in her chest, she continued to heave, trying to clear out more seawater and gasping for air.

She could hear someone calling her name, but she couldn't identify the voice. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she was gently turned onto her side, which brought her some relief.

A man was speaking to her, but she couldn't comprehend his words. Her vision remained blurry, and her ears were ringing. Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest.

"You'll be okay now, Rose. You're safe. Just keep breathing, that's it," the man's voice reassured her.

The man unzipped his bag and pulled out a thick towel, covering Rose's body. Suddenly, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, accompanied by a deafening thunder that startled the man. The wind picked up, uprooting some trees on the island.

Rose felt a chill, her teeth chattering as she looked at the man who had saved her, now seated beside her. He smiled, and she recognized that smile, particularly his expressive green eyes. Her memories flooded back-trying to save the drowning child, the shadows that had taken the child's soul, and being pulled under the sea by the shadow.

The last thing she remembered was someone pulling her by the shoulders before she lost consciousness.

She looked at Brenan and tried to assure him that she was okay. She smiled at him, pretending that there was nothing to worry about, and all she wanted was to return to the hotel.

"Thank you," she said, her voice weak but audible. Her hair remained wet and tangled.

"Thank God you're okay, Rose. I was afraid you wouldn't make it," he said, looking exhausted but attempting to smile.

"I owe you my life, Brenan. If it hadn't been for you, I might be dead now," she said, holding his hand tightly.

"Your gratitude is appreciated, but we need to leave this place as soon as possible. The boats from the mainland are coming, and we need to get ready," Brenan explained, gazing at her with his green eyes.

"Can you walk, Rose?" he asked, still concerned for her well-being.

"I think I can," she replied. She still felt dizzy, and her knees trembled as she attempted to stand. Her body remained weak.

Brenan moved closer, supporting her by placing his hands on her shoulders. Carefully, he lifted her from the ground. Rose felt slightly awkward as she felt Brenan's warm breath on her cheeks and touched his well-defined muscles on his chest and abdomen. His strength allowed him to effortlessly lift her.

"Oh, Brenan, you don't have to do this. I may be weak, but it doesn't mean I can't walk," she said, her face growing warm and flushed.

"No, you won't. Just a little smile and a thank you, and carrying you will be worth it," he said, gazing at her intently.

"Oh, come on, Brenan. I nearly drowned, but I'm not invalid. You don't have to treat me like this," she exclaimed, though her mind urged her to feel and savor the closeness of his presence.

She had never experienced these feelings before, not even with her boyfriend Karl. But she loved Karl, her boyfriend. Memories of her best friend Agnes kissing Karl and pleading for her to keep it a secret flooded her mind. Her heart ached with every image, and she finally understood why her mother had acted the way she did towards her father.

She fell silent as she remembered what had happened that afternoon. The memories brought back the pain that she never wanted to feel again.

"I said, put me down, Brenan. Let me walk," she said.