Page 49 of Corrupted Lies

But it was getting harder and harder to force herself to move.

It felt impossible.

How could her body feel so heavy? Her feet were barely kicking anymore, and her arms weren't really doing much of anything to propel her through the cold, rough water. It was likely only Jake’s hold on her that kept her moving forward.

If he let go …

She couldn’t help but feel like she would just float away and disappear.

There had been a lot of times as a kid that she wished she could just stop existing. Not in a she wanted to end her own life kind of way, just in a she didn't matter to anyone way, and she was tired of trying to earn love and affection that would never be given.

Jake had kept her alive back then.

And Jake was keeping her alive now.

His steady presence was the only thing that kept her going.

Everything else had receded into a haze. There was no fear anymore, she didn't have the energy for it. There wasn't sadness for what felt like her impending death. There was nothing. Just the knowledge that she had to keep moving.

A huge wave crashed into her, and for a second, she went under.

No match for the fierce ocean, she struggled and spluttered, tried not to inhale the salty water that was a threat in more ways than one. It wasn't just that the sea could drown her and Jake if it so chose, but if they drank too much of the salty water, it would poison their bodies.

Jake’s hand kept her from being swept away.

Until it didn't.

The second his hold on her slipped as the waves tossed him about as well, she was gone.

Dragged away into the darkness.

Serious about her intention to share the life jacket, Jake was the one wearing it. Now without his steadying hold keeping her afloat, she started sinking quickly.

Even though she didn't want to die, didn't want to give up and let the ocean claim her, Alannah didn't have enough left in her to fight against the inevitable.

Bit by bit, the water dragged her down.

It was actually warmer down under the surface away from the pounding rain and relentless wind. A little gentler as well since there were no waves crashing on her.

The warmth made her sleepy.

It couldn’t hurt to close her eyes just for a moment, could it?

That would be so nice.

So peaceful.

Just one moment of rest.

Then she’d start swimming again.

She deserved it after hours of fighting her way through the impenetrable sea.

Her eyes fluttered closed.

One second just to …

The sting of rain hitting her skin had her jerking upright, and she found herself back above the surface, Jake’s hand clutching her sodden long-sleeve T-shirt. Fisted in the material with a tightness she felt even though he was holding the clothes and not her body.

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