Adopted By Who?

Drowning

Water was filling my lungs and my eyes were burning. I tried to kick and use my arms, but the overwhelming fear was consuming me. No one was trying to help either. As I sank to the bottom, there was not a doubt in my mind that I was going to die. 

If only I could have gotten over myself and listened to Dad. I snuck out for Christ's sake! They don't even know I'm here. I shoved off all of my friends to be with these people who drank away all of their emotions, leaving wreckless teenagers. I realized I didn't want to be like them anymore, but now it's too late.

A sudden yank on my arm ripped me out of my thoughts. 

As soon as the hand grabbed my arm, it was gone. Their fingers only had my shirt and the fishnet ripped. I began to sink again, but I was still unable to move or help myself. Being surrounded by water was my worst nightmare. Thoughts of that little boy drowning came to mind. The panic everyone was in to get him out, the look on his face when he began to sink, his pale body when he was pulled out. And, oh god, his eyes. The emptiness in them is what haunted me most. I screamed, regretting it as more water filled my lungs.

The hand was back and had a hold on my arm now, dragging me to what I think is the surface. I've lost all sense of direction down here. The only direction I was sure of was down. 

After what seemed like eternity I was surfaced. I choked on the air and tried to get the water out of my lungs. I was pushed onto the dock, someone soon dropping next to me. When I could breathe properly again, I looked beside me to see who saved me.

"E-Eric?" I croaked out.

He looked at me, his long hair all over his face, and smiled, "Hey."

I slowly sat up, scared I would fall in again, "W-What are you doing h-here?"

Before he could answer, Ollie came up to me, "Hey, what the fuck? You can't swim?"

Anger filled me, but I was too shaken up to say anything. I just turned my back to her.

Eric helped me up and off of the dock. When we were on solid ground, he turned to me, "Are you okay?"

I nodded, scared to use my voice. My lungs are on fire and my throat feels like a cat scratched it. My whole body is tired and exhausted. My eyes have dirt and sand in them. I almost died. And for what? Nothing really... I began to cry. I was terrified and I couldn't stop shaking. Water was my number one fear and I was just in it. Eric put his arms around me and I held him tight and cried onto his shoulder. Our wet clothes clung to each other.

"T-Take me ho-home." I sobbed.

He hugged me a bit tighter and lead me far away from the water.

--

I woke up on a couch. My throat was dry and my muscles ached. I looked around, not recognizing where I was. 

"Morning sleepy head."

I looked behind me, "Eric?" My voice was raspy and it hurt to talk.

He smiled, "I didn't want to wake up your family, so I just took you to my house. You fell asleep on the walk back."

"I fell asleep while I was walking?" I coughed, fuck it hurts to talk.

He laughed, "Yeah, but you probably shouldn't talk much, okay?"

I nodded, "But I do have to go home. I'll text you later, Eric." I coughed again and grabbed my throat.

"I'll walk you home, just to make sure you get there okay."

I smiled a little and nodded towards the door. 

--

When I walked into my house, I was immediately attacked by Vic.

"Where the hell have you been?!" He yelled.

I started shaking, thinking about how I had to explain how I snuck out to go to a party, almost died, then slept at a guy's house. I am royally fucked.

I took a deep breath, "I literally can't explain this twice, so please go get everyone and I'll explain as much as I can." After I finished talking, I went into a coughing fit. Vic asked if I was okay, I just nodded and told him to get the guys.

Once everyone was in the living room and I had a bottle of water, I started to explain with my raspy voice, "Okay, I'll be honest. I snuck out to go to a party. I was just planning on hanging out with friends," I coughed a bit, then continued, "Then they wanted to go out to the docks, so me being the dumb ass I am, went with them." I started shaking as I remembered what had happened only a few hours ago. I took a drink from my water and continued, "I accidentally slipped and I fell in the water. I almost drowned, but Eric was at the party and he saved me. That's why my voice is like this." I took another drink before I started to cough again. "That's also why I didn't come back, Eric didn't want to wake you guys up, so he let me sleep on his couch." 

When I finished, I started crying. The thought of me being surrounded by water was overwhelming me. Dad came over and hugged me. I cried into his chest and gripped his shirt like if I let go, he would disappear. Dad pulled back, "Kaylen, you're grounded for two weeks. But Baby Turtle, are you okay?"

I shook my head no, I was crying and shaking too much.

Vic stroked my hair, "Your hair is all stringy, why don't you go take a shower-"

"No!" I screamed, "N-No. Don't m-make me go in there."

Dad hugged me, "If I can get Erin over here and she was in there with you, would you take one?"

"N-No. I'm not going anywhere near w-water again." I started to cough.

"But you're drinking it, aren't you?" Jaime asked.

I looked down at the water bottle in horror. I shoved it away from me.

Mike sighed, "Kaylen, honey, go get into some new clothes. I've gotta talk with the guys."

I nodded and shakily made my way upstairs. I took my outfit off and got into my bed clothes. I flopped down on my bed, my muscles still sore. I cried. I was just so traumatized...I couldn't stop crying. After a while, I cried myself to sleep.

---

Something was pulling me under. I looked down and saw a hand pulling me underwater. I tried to kick free, but to no avail. I screamed, forgetting that I was underwater as water rushed into my mouth. 

It pulled me to the very bottom and chained me to the sea floor. I looked up to the surface, hoping someone would save me. I saw the guys standing on the shore, laughing. I screamed for them to help me, but they just laughed harder. 

I began to cry, despite me being underwater. Soon I couldn't hold my breath anymore and I involuntarily breathed in. The world faded away...

---

I woke up screaming. The screaming was soon cut off by my coughing.

Jaime ran into my room, "You okay novio?" (novio means "sweetheart" in Spanish)

I shook my head no and reached for him, crying. He sat on my bed and hugged me for a long time. I clung to him, I couldn't let go of him. I was scared to. I didn't want to. I needed him. I needed him to reassure me I was going to be okay, because in that moment, I was anything but okay.

A/N: An update two days in a row??? Whaaaattt?? I'm terrible at having a set schedule for updating, so I'm proud of myself for updating two days in a row. Leave me alone. Okay, aaannnyywaaayyy....I hope you guys liked this chapter! Love you all!