A Strange Tale (multiverse fanfiction) (On Hold)

Chapter 2: The Reaper or The Hero?

Through the blur and screams, my mind wandered to my parents.

"Stay calm," my dad whispered softly to me. I had fallen into a ditch and broken my ankle. He was trying to get me out...

My focus turned back as the icy water snipped my ankles. I groaned as I tried to move, but to my horror, one of the chairs had somehow unhooked, and now was trapping me against the window. Water started pouring in fast.

I looked up to see everyone starting to leave through a broken window.

"Help me!" I screamed. Alec turned to stare at me. My heart sank in my boots as he, the last student in the bus, dived through the window. The water continued rising, reaching my stomach. I couldn't believe it. I was trapped. 

I closed my eyes. In my First Aid Courses, a person went through several steps before fully drowning. First, a person held their breath as long as they could. But eventually, the natural instincts would kick in, and I would start trying to breathe. Instead, I would swallow the water, and pass out. Then it was over. It was going to be terrible, horrible, till then. 

The water reached my neck, and I pushed as hard as I could to try and escape, but I was thoroughly trapped. The chair was wedged, and my body stiffened. My heart raced and I started to cry. I didn't want to die. Not like this. This wasn't the plan. No. It can't be.

But as the water reached my chin I gave a despairing wail. At least I would see them soon...my parents.

As the water touched the brink of my lips, I took a deep breath. This was it. The end.

The water enveloped me, and it stung my eyes and lips. My lungs were already partially screaming, but I did my best to keep myself still. I knew it was only prolonging the inevitable. However, I did not want to create too much torture. Besides, in the water, it was quiet. Peaceful.

I squeezed my eyes shut as my lungs started to hurt. My brain was in desperate need of oxygen. It was horrible. I was trapped. My lungs felt like it was going to burst. Bubbles of air slipped out of my mouth. As I opened my eyes, I frowned.

A dark figure was swimming towards me, and I gripped the seat just a bit tighter. Maybe this was it. Maybe I had passed out, and this was, after all, the grim reaper coming to collect me. Maybe then, I was going to start swallowing the water. The figure came closer, and I could have sworn it was the reaper.

That was until the figure's lips pressed firmly against mine, and a blast of air was pushed into my lungs as he blew. Shock and relief passed through me, and my vision improved. It wasn't a reaper, but a man...a young guy with jet black hair, and glowing blue eyes. I must be imagining it. I must be hallucinating.

He was looking at the chair that was trapping me. I knew he was already contemplating to leave me. There was no humanly possible way to set me free.

Or so I thought.

He gripped the chair and ripped away in one smooth motion.  I started to float, too weak to move. He grabbed my arm, then pulled me close. Yet again, he pushed his lips against mine and firmly blew air. How much air was this guy holding inside of him!?

He wrapped his arm around my waist and swam towards the window. He gently shoved me through then started swimming to the surface. I could barely make out the sunlight.

When we broke through I gave a huge gasp, but I was still faint. My arms and legs were numb, and I realized I was freezing.

"I've got you," the man spoke. "Stay awake...ok?"

I didn't respond and I could feel him squeezing me tighter. "Ok..." I numbly responded. He flipped me onto my back, holding the one arm and his other hand supporting my head. I could feel him moving fast. I fought the fatigue that was setting in. Not only had I suffered from a concussion, but hypothermia was gonna set in soon. Falling asleep was the last thing that I should do. 

"What's your name?" the guy asked as he was still getting me to shore.

"Sandy..." I whispered. I thought he wouldn't be able to hear me. It was so darn soft, but he gave a slight chuckle.

"Sandy, huh? I'm Derek,"

"Nice to...meet you..."

"Hold on, I'm almost to the shore..."

"SANDY!" Mary's voice echoed and I gave a smile of relief. At least she was safe too. Soon, this entire nightmare will be over.

Boy, I did not know how wrong I was.