“W-Water, too fast, g-go now.”
The effort of walking took its toll, his breath rasped in and out of his mouth in harsh pants.
“You must g-go!”
Kate ignored him and decided she had to try and call her family.
“Forgive me for yelling in your ear, but it must be done.” Throwing back her head, she then screamed “Help!” as loud as she could.
“The wind and s-sea,” he managed to get out. “N-no one will hear.”
“They’ll hear.” Their progress was slow, but she kept him moving, ordering him to walk.
“You must g-go on.”
The tide was now at her calves, the icy water filling her boots and making her shiver.
“You’ll fr-freeze out here.”
“I’m not leaving you, so stop talking and put your energy into walking.”
“You must!” He grabbed her with surprising strength, tugging her from under his arm, pulling her before him so he could grab her shoulders. “I am weak, the b-blood loss.” He stopped to haul in a deep breath. “Leave me now, and t-take my dog.”
Something passed between them as they looked at each other. A feeling that Kate could not describe; connection, yes, but this was more.
“I’m not leaving you,” she said softly.
“I-I…. Who are you?”
“Please, we must leave here, you must try.” Kate was desperate now to get him to safety.
His eyes ran over her face once more, and she felt everywhere they landed.
“One t-taste,” he whispered, lowering his head. “I-I must.”
It was brief and fleeting, the touch of his ice-cold lips to hers, and then he was forcing her away from him.
“No!” Kate grabbed him as he tried to evade her. “I will stay here with you and drown if that is your wish!”
“N-No.” He tried to push her from his side as she lifted his arm again, but Kate grabbed his waist.
“Yes. We must just reach the path up to the cliff.” Kate pointed ahead. The distance was not great, but the effort would cost him. There we will be safe. You must try, if not for yourself, then for me.”
He didn’t speak, just walked, slowly putting one foot in front of the other. She took some of his weight but knew it was not much. The dogs kept pace beside them. By the time they’d reached the path, the water made it hard going, but Kate knew only relief that they were finally safe.
“Up now, just a few steps, sir, and you can stop for a rest.”
“R-Rory,” he gritted out.
“And I am Kate.”
“You first.”
“No, you go first, and I shall attempt to help you from behind.”
“S-stubborn.”
“So my brother is constantly telling me.”
