Riptides (Jalex)

Chapter 1

(A/N: This story is predominantly in Jack's POV, only the opening is in Alex's. Let me know what you think.)

Alex's POV:

Alex hadn't intended to swim as far out as he'd ended up doing. He was a regular swimmer at the beach, the cooling water helped him to clear his head after a long day at work, particularly enjoying coming down just before dusk when the majority of people had packed up and gone home. Tonight was no different. He'd dumped his towel, wallet, and house keys before getting into the water; only now he was regretting it. It had taken a mere minute for him to find himself unable to touch the ocean floor which didn't alarm him at first, (because sandbanks do move sometimes) until he glanced back at the beach and found himself a lot further away from solid ground than he'd thought he was. A pit of dread settled in his stomach as he attempted to get closer to the beach again only to end up even more out of his depth. Actually, when he focused on the shore line Alex could swear it was getting more out of reach with every second.

That's when the panic set in. What if he couldn't get back? He could drown. He cursed himself for swimming so late on in the day when there was barely anyone to notice him. But no, he was going to get back. He wasn't going to let a little water be the end of him. Alex forced himself to swim harder back towards the shore against the heavy weight of the current that was surely trying to be the death of him. He couldn't give up though. He had to get back. He just had too. He kicked his legs faster and tried to propel himself towards shore. But it was to no avail, as the drag of the water was making his muscles ache with tiredness. His eyes stung with tears as he continued to struggle and wear himself out, he felt like he couldn't breathe as he gasped out working himself past his limits. Alex may have been a regular swimmer but it was only casual swimming. He didn't know how to handle this.

On the brink of exhaustion he fearfully looked around, hoping to see anyone that might be able to get help. Out of the corner of his eye he saw three people to the far north of the beach sat to watch the sunset. On the promenade a few people were walking dogs or skate boarding by without a care in the world.

"HELP!" He cried out as loudly as possible. "SOMEBODY HELP ME!" He didn't want to drown. The direful realisation that no one could hear him sent a dismal feeling flooding through his veins. He didn't want to be washed up cold and dead on some beach miles away. He didn't want this to be it. He waved an arm above his head as he tried to get someone to notice. Alex was still attempting to get back to shore while calling out and occasionally waving his arms around –the universal 'help I'm drowning' signal – when he first slipped under the water.

Alex wasn't prepared for it and was shocked to find that he couldn't breathe and it was dark. He'd winded up swallowing a mouthful of water before managing to sputter his way back to the surface. When his head hit the air again he coughed and it rattled through his body like an earthquake. This wasn't good and he knew it. He was weakly almost doggy paddling against the tide when he screamed out again, to what he assumed was deaf ears. In a matter of moments he plunged back under and found it was more taxing to get back up this time - his muscles just wanted to give in. His mom would kill him if he let himself drown. That woman would find a way to drag him back to the living just to kill him again. He had to keep going, for her, for himself.

He feebly managed to get his head above the water long enough to get another breath before slipping back under. He didn't know how long he'd be able to keep this up; the adrenaline from the panic was wearing off and giving way to something he hadn't felt before. If there was one thing Alex was sure of it was that he was most definitely going to drown.

~~~

 Jack's POV:

"Hurry up Zack I'm hungrrrry." Jack whined childishly as Zack pulled the garage door up. They'd already checked the main station for Zack's mobile and now they were still trying to hunt the damn thing down. "Why couldn't we come back after? All the guys are waiting for us."