Time is Running Out

Chapter 30

"Rachel, keep running!" hissed Gemma.

Rachel realized that she had stopped, and she nodded quickly.
 
Xana ran into a lake and kept on going, wading through. It was glimmering blue, basking silver in the pale moonlight.

The water got so deep that Xana started to swim, and the others followed.

The dirt and blood on Xana's face washed away as she slid under the water like a dolphin, as fast as a dolphin too.
 
Rachel watched in shocked amazement.
 
"Rachel, please! I can't do it-- I can't carry Joy for much longer!" Gemma cried, starting to sink.
 
Rachel didn't hear her. She was lost in her own world, and the only other thing in that world was Xana.
 
"Rachel! Help me!" Gemma screamed. Her head slid under the water, and she spluttered, water going down her throat as she tried to speak. Then she was under.
"Rachel Arden, you idiot!" Xana snapped, diving under the water.
 
Rachel snapped awake.
 
It was only then that she knew what was happening.
 
Xana rose out of the lake fluidly, Joy and Gemma slung over her shoulders.
 
"Rachel, you brat," she snapped and kept on swimming.
 
"I'm not--" Rachel struggled to swim and speak at the same time "--a brat!"
 
"You most certainly are, Miss Rachel Danielle Sarah Helen Isabella Fiona Quadia Simone Georgia Juanita Arden, you horrible brat." Xana was having no trouble.
 
It was pretty amazing, considering she was swimming, speaking and running from the imposter at the same time. Not to mention all the while with two people on top of her.
 
For the second time that day, Rachel realized that Xana was speaking in perfect English, not to mention that it was lilted in a Tenala accent.
 
"I am NOT!" yelled Rachel.
 
Xana shrugged. "Have it your way."
 
This made Rachel even more infuriated and enraged.
 
"WHAT DO YOU--" Rachel spluttered as a large dose of lakewater found its way into her mouth "--MEAN BY THAT?!"
 
"I mean what I said, Simone."
 
For some reason Xana knew which name Rachel hated most.
 
Rachel screamed with rage.
 
Xana shrugged her laden shoulders. It was impressive as there was a person on each of her shoulders.
 
"GOTCHA!" the imposter yelled suddenly.
 
There was a scream. Rachel had been caught!
  
Xana snarled. She threw Gemma-- who woke up just in time-- and Joy-- who was still unconscious or dead-- to Alden and snatched Rachel from the imposter.
 
He screamed in shock.

Alden and Gemma started swimming again, with Gemma carrying Joy.

"Rachel Arden, don't just stand there looking gormless," snapped Xana as she swam.
 
Rachel had not moved at all.
 
Now she quickly swam again, for she was afraid of inflicting Xana's wrath.