Her father already got unconscious. Her head tilted to the side, her eyes barely open, slipping shut.
No.
I grabbed her hand and pulled her free, my arm wrapping around her waist as I dragged her out of the car.
Underwater, there were only two choices. Give up or fight.
If I had been alone, I would have let go. But she was in my arms, and something in me refused to break. She gave me the strength to hold on to it.
I swam fast, dragging us up until we dove up to the surface. I gasped for air, but she just floated numb in my hands.
I slapped her cheek. “Kitten,” I said in panic. “Open your eyes.”
Nothing.
I hit her cheek again. “Open your eyes.”
Still nothing.
I pulled her closer, one arm locked around her as the water pushed against us. Waves rolled in, stronger now, rising and pulling us under, then throwing us back up. I kept moving, searching for a light. On the right, I saw the faint light coming from the cliff.
I followed it.
The closer we got, the water got shallower. The tips of my shoes scraped against the rock beneath us. A wave crashed into us, slamming us against the cliff. Pain ripped through my chest as a sharp stone cut into me. I pushed her up first, then dragged myself after her.
There was a light from the houses above the road. Someone must have called the cops from the land line because I can already hear the sirens getting closer.
My eyes moved back on her.
Her lips were turning purple.
The cold made my hands shake while I pressed them against her chest, pushing, counting without thinking. Then I leaned down, sealing my mouth over hers, pinching her nose as I forced air into her lungs.
Again and again.
But she still didn’t open her eyes.
I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.
I leaned down again, my lips pressing against hers.
This time her body moved from my hands, and her eyes opened.
“I got you,” I said, pulling her against me.
I held her close, trying to keep the warmth between us, but she pushed weakly against me, pulling away.
“W-w-who are y-you?” She asked, her lower lip trembling.
I swallowed.
She didn’t recognize me.
“There’s someone on the rocks!” A voice shouted from the shore.
I looked down at her. Her eyes were already slipping closed again.
They were getting closer.
