Jesse
Nikki.
I spin around in the water, trying to find any sign of her. Nothing.
There's nothing.
I spin in another circle and all I find are floating desks and chairs.
The water's up to my chest now, and Riley goes limp at my side.
He's knocked out cold.
"Stay with me man!" I yell over the roaring sound of rushing water, which came out of nowhere.
Riley startles at my voice and mumbles something I can't make out.
I start for the exit, keeping Riley's left arm around my shoulders.
"Nikki." Riley mumbles.
"I know I know, I don't see her anywhere." I panic.
Out in the hall, the current is rougher and faster, making it so much harder to drag Riley.
I look up and down the hall, the red warning lights still illuminating the hall, reflecting off the water.
Which way did I come from? I came from the left. Right. Right?
I've been going to this school for 4 years and I can't even remember which way I came.
It's the panic and fear talking.
I go left.
"Jesse! Help!" I hear a shrill from behind me.
I shift around to see Nikki's hands flailing and slapping against the water. "Jesse!" She cries again.
"Nikki!" I yell. She's in the doorway of a classroom all the way down the hall. Her black mascara dripping down her face. I can't carry both of them. Not in the water. It's too strong.
"I gotta take Riley to safety then I'll be back for you!" I yell back.
"Don't leave me!" She cries.
"I'm not leaving you!" I reassure her. "I'll be right back!"
I make double time and push against the water, getting Riley to the stairwell.
That's when I hear the crashing in of the windows. Water surges out into the hall, coming from all sides. I take a huge breath, then the water takes me under.
No no no Nikki!
I hold my ground under water and put those swimming lessons that Owen gave me to some good use.
I push off the ground hard. Luckily, the water that just came through pushes us towards the stairs. I make it to the stairs and see that it's all already underwater. Great.
Then I see someone. Coming right for me.
Owen. Thank god.
He reaches me and takes Riley off my shoulders.
He motions for me to follow but I shake my head and point behind me. I need to get Nikki.
He tugs on my arm but I shake him off and push him towards the next floor.
I motion for him to go.
With a moment's hesitation, he takes Riley and heads back up the way he came.
With such little air left in my lungs, I swim back for Nikki.
YOU ARE READING
The Fall of Us
Non-Fiction18 year-old Jesse Cimorelli and his 15 year-old brother Nathan are regular teenage boys going on about their regular teenage lives, expecting it to be a regular day as they attend Roseville High school, when suddenly the world starts to fall apart. ...
