Page 51 of Corrupted Lies

It didn't take long for the rush of energy hope had given her to fade, and she was right back to struggling.

But she wasn't giving up.

Wasn't going to die within sight of land.

So she swam.

They swam.

Side by side.

Bit by bit the land grew bigger and bigger.

Closer and closer.

Then right as they approached the last hundred or so yards, she saw them.

Rocks.

Lots and lots of rocks lining the shore.

How on earth were they supposed to get past them without being broken into pieces?

Safety was so close and yet so far away.

Chapter

Twelve

October 18th

6:39 A.M.

Safety.

Ifthey could get past the rocks.

Something Jake wasn't altogether sure that they could.

They were going to try, though.

He’d rather try and die in the process than just float around in the water waiting for the inevitable.

The truth was, Alannah wasn't going to last much longer. She was too cold, too exhausted, and he was worried that she had injuries he wasn't aware of. Already he’d almost lost her once when the wave tore her right out of his grasp. She’d been a mere handful of yards away when he’d watched her go under.

And not come back up.

Luckily, he’d found her, but it had solidified in his mind how quickly he was running out of time. The sense of impotence was crushing him. He was Alannah’s protector, he should be doing something, anything, to get her someplace safe, and he was failing.

Thanks to the easing of the storm, they’d been able to spot land, and now it was less than one hundred yards away.

Once they reached it, they would hopefully find people, shelter, a hospital, food and water, dry clothes, and warm blankets.

Sounded like heaven.

“J-Jake, I d-don’t th-think I c-can m-make it,” Alannah said, her teeth chattering so badly he could hardly make out her words.

“You can.” He ensured the words came out strong and sure. Alannah was floundering, and she needed to know he had things under control.

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