Forgive Me, My Love ~ ReddNook

Chapter 21

Icy drops lashed Tom's face like needles. He was already soaked from head to toe, the coat didn't protect him in this weather. The strong wind pushed him backwards, making it difficult to move forward and almost knocked him off the paws.

In addition, a thick veil of fog covered Tom's view, he wasn't sure whether he had taken the right path and simply trusted his instinct. The tanuki fought his way through the storm with narrowed eyes and also made sure that no objects hit his head that were flying around here.

Because of the muddy ground, there was a high risk that he could slip and injure himself. But what worried him most were the trees, which leaned low and threatened to fall at any moment.

Tom didn't know how much time had passed when the small beach - where Redd's boat was - finally came into view. All he had to do was climb down the cliff. Hold on, Redd!  When he got down safely, he could hardly believe his eyes.

The treasure trawler was gone. Tom froze. "Oh, no ..." Desperately he searched the sea, but it was difficult to see anything through the raging storm. Wait ... there is ... In the middle of the ocean, half submerged in the water, he recognized the shape of a boat.

No doubt. That must be the treasure trawler.  But how in the world was he supposed to get there? Tom was a good swimmer, but the boat was definitely twenty meters away from him and he had no chance against these huge waves.

Tom walked nervously along the bank, not knowing how to proceed now. I have no other choice. I have to swim through the sea, even if it's dangerous.  It's the only way to save Redd right now.

He didn't have enough time to think of a another plan. Tom took off his coat and tossed it in the sand. "I can do it," he said to himself and waded into the wild water. He plunged into it head first, his body was greeted by the merciless cold that felt like icy claws and almost took his breath away.

Tom did not withdraw, however, but fought resolutely through the sea. He just swam straight ahead, hoping the waves wouldn't carry him in another direction.

His teeth chattered, salty water seeped into his throat and he coughed so hard, that he thought he was choking. His vision was blurry and he could only vaguely see where the boat was. His arms and legs felt numb and weak, but he had to persevere and swim on.

Suddenly his paw hit something hard and when he looked up he saw the treasure trawler in front of him, creaking and rocking from side to side. Tom couldn't believe it, he had actually made it. That bordered on a miracle.

Panting, he climbed onto the deck and did not allow himself a rest- although every muscle in his body was screaming for it and he had the feeling that he was going to collapse any moment. He hit the first window with his fist until it broke and jumped through it.

Tom landed in the water once again and found out, that he was in the control room. The steering wheel pointed this out to him. The water came up to his chest, he had to hurry if he wanted to get out of here alive.

Tom gave a startled gasp when he discovered a red, curled up ball on a small table that looked more like a fur ball than a body. It was Redd who was lying there. "Crap," Tom hissed between clenched teeth.

"Redd!" He waded towards the fox, who neither moved nor made any sound. Redd was soaked to the skin and freezing. A small pool of blood had gathered around his head. Tom saw a fresh wound on the back of his head that was not deep but needed immediate treatment.

He put his thumb on the injured man's neck where the main artery was located. As several seconds passed, he finally felt a faint knock and breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll get you out of here, Redd," Tom promised to the unconscious fox.

The tanuki picked him up, put him on his back and was surprised to find out, that he was lighter than he had expected. Redd's head dangled limply over Tom's shoulder and he shuddered at the sight.

He got a queasy feeling when he asked himself how he should cross the sea with Redd. However, he didn't have much time to think, he had to act now, otherwise they would both drown.

Panting from the effort, Tom waded through the water, which was now almost up to his neck, and slipped through the broken window again. With Redd on his back - who kept threatening to slide to the ground - Tom stood on the deck and stared out at the wild ocean.

He has to swim back again. How was he supposed to do it? That was downright impossible, besides, he not only has to get himself to safety, but Redd too. He couldn't hesitate too long, after all he had an injured fox with him who urgently needed treatment.

"This is crazy," breathed Tom. "Absolutely insane." But before he could jump, a huge wave slapped against the treasure trawler, causing it to jerk to one side. Tom yelped, lost his balance, fell over the rail, and landed in the sea together with Redd.