Murderville - Audrey Jensen

Chapter 7 - Whispers

(Warnings : mentions of scars, intense nightmare, blood, light swearing

Word Count : 3299

Song : Kettering, The Antlers)

The first thing that Vicki felt was the icy coldness of the waves against her skin. It snapped at her, just like in her nightmares. But now was not the time for stupid fears, she had to save her cousin.

She glided through the water, trying to ignore the fact that she couldn't stand up and how that was absolutely terrifying. Noah's loud shouts and desperate attempts to reach shore weren't helping, but within moments she reached him, grabbing onto one of his pale, flapping arms.

"Noah, it's me" she cried, trying to help stabilise him "You need to calm down and stop panicking, the more you panic the more you drown okay"

He reached out, wrapping his arms around the girl's shoulders, pushing her more under the water. He was still panting, but seemed to calm down even more when new boy Kieran appeared to help.

"I've got him" He whispered to the girl, supporting Noah as he paddled for shore "Calm down, calm down. I've got you, man"

Vicki tried to follow close behind them but the adrenaline seemed to be wearing off. She was now very aware of how the water could pull her down. She let out a shaky breath, desperately trying to keep her head above water. She was just slipping when a strong arm returned, practically dragging her to safety - Kieran had swam back out to help her for the last few meters until she reached the stairs.

The girl collapsed on the ground, her whole body shaking as she tried to catch her breath.

"Thanks" she whispered coarsely to the boy who merely nodded.

"Hey come here" Emma muttered, helping Noah fully onto the pier "Just breath, okay". She grabbed a blanket and flung it over the boy, rubbing gently at his shoulders to sooth him.

By the time the others arrived Vicki was almost ready to stand, Kieran giving her a reassuring pat on the back.

"Yo, kiss him Emma" Jake hollered "Breath of life"

"Jake, shut up!" Emma snapped, still trying to help the boy.

"He could have died" Riley growled, shoving his shoulder.

"Hey, he was the first one to pass out" Jake defended "Wren Lake tradition"

Noah lay on side, searching for his cousin whilst Emma wrapped a towel around Kieran's shoulder, moving to grab one for Vicki.

"What was that that grabbed me?" He asked the girl, making Vicki's head raise up to meet his gaze.

"Nobody grabbed you spaz." Jake scoffed whilst Emma inspected the boy's leg, trying to see what the problem was "We just dropped you off"

"You were stuck on fishing line" Emma helped pull the wiry material from his feet.

"It didn't feel like fishing line" Noah stuttered "It felt like someone was pulling me down"

Vicki finally stood up, Emma noticing this and moving to give the girl the blanket that lay over her arm. Her eyes trailed over the girl and she froze, letting out a sharp gasp.