Forgive Me, My Love ~ ReddNook

Chapter 22

The hard impact with the water forced the air out of Tom's lungs and for a moment he was unable to act and almost sank to the bottom like a stone. But he kept conscious, grabbed Redd's arm - which had slipped from his paws - and swam back to the surface.

He greedily inhaled the air and was immediately shaken by a fit of coughing. The beach suddenly didn't seem as far away as before. With the last of his strength, Tom swam towards the island, making sure that Redd's head stayed above the water.

Despite the strong, raging waves, the pounding rain that stung into his eyes and the painful throbbing in his limbs, Tom actually reached the small beach. He threw himself on the sand, exhausted, and still couldn't believe it.

Maybe it was panic that drove him or the will to survive, he didn't know. Tom pushed himself up with trembling arms and spat out a gush of salty water. He felt dizzy, sick, his head was buzzing like a wasp's nest and for a moment he thought he was going to throw up.

But he had survived and so did Redd. He looked at the fox, who lay motionless next to him. The only sign of life he gave, was the light movements of his ribs. When Tom slowly regained his strength, he picked Redd up and carried him on his back.

"We did it, Redd. Now do me a favor and don't die!"

Later Tom finally got to his house and was glad to find the spare key under the doormat. He still had the other one in the resident services.

Inside he was greeted by a pleasant warmth, which, in contrast to the violent thunderstorm, was like a cozy embrace. He padded hastily into the living room and gently laid Redd on the sofa.

Before Tom would treat his wound, he first had to get him out of his wet clothing. Redd wore a sleeveless white shirt, gray shorts and, of course, his blue apron.

Reluctantly, he began to take off his shirt, feeling uncomfortable and was glad that Redd was still unconscious. Next Tom untied the fox's apron, but while he was doing that, Redd's ears suddenly twitched and he slowly moved his head.

"Wha... what ...?" He mumbled hoarsely and straightened up, groaning in pain. Tom's eyes widened. "You're awake!" He breathed. Redd stared at the tanuki blankly for a few seconds until he realized what was going on.

He shrank back to the edge of the sofa and stammered with a red head: "W-W-What are you d-doing there ?!" Tom's fur ruffled uncomfortably and he noticed himself blushing a little. "Relax! I just wanted to take your wet clothes off and put on dry ones, so you don't catch cold."

Redd threw his arms around his body and flattened his ears in shame. "I see ..." He looked around frantically. "A-Am I...at your house? What happened?" Tom blinked in astonishment. "Did you forget that?" He asked.

"A heavy storm is raging on the island and when I rushed to your rescue, you were lying unconscious in the control room with a wound on your head." Redd gasped in shock. "Now I remember! The thunderstorm was so strong that the treasure trawler got driven off the island."

He shuddered. "I tried to escape, but the door was blocked." Tom put a paw on Redd's shoulder. "Fortunately, everything turned out well." The tanuki got up, he was dripping wet too.

"Wait a moment, I'll change and bring you dry clothes." The fox nodded curtly, his gaze fell into space.