Page 148 of We Are Just Us

“I don’t know.”

The jet ski reached the surfer. The responder leaned in, listening. The surfer pointed hard toward the break.

Toward a spot in the water.

Kieran’s stomach dropped.

“Where’s Rory?” he said.

Samantha didn’t answer. She was scanning the water, eyes moving frantically across the surface.

There—the blue board. Floating. Empty.

No Rory.

“Where is he?” Kieran said again, louder this time.

“I don’t know. I can’t see that far out.”

The jet ski was moving again, circling. The first responder was leaning over, looking down into the water.

Kieran’s pulse spiked. His hands went cold.

“He’s probably just under,” Samantha said, but her voice was tight. “He probably wiped out. He’s fine. He’s—”

The jet ski stopped.

The first responder dove into the water.

And Kieran’s world tilted.

“No,” he heard himself say. “No, no, no—”

Around them, people were starting to notice. Voices rising. Confusion spreading through the crowd.

The announcer’s voice came over the loudspeaker, trying to sound calm. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re experiencing a brief pause in the competition. Please remain calm while our safety team addresses the situation.”

Kieran couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. He kept staring at that empty board, floating alone in the water.

Samantha grabbed his arm. “He’s okay. He has to be okay. He’s a strong swimmer. He knows these waters.”

But her voice was shaking.

The first responder surfaced. He had Rory. Was pulling him toward the jet ski. Limp.

Samantha made a sound beside him. She was already moving toward the shoreline.

They got him onto the jet ski. The first responder climbed on behind him, revving the engine.

The jet ski turned toward the beach.

Kieran’s legs weren’t working right. Too slow. Too heavy. Everything was moving in slow motion except his heartbeat, which was going so fast he thought he might pass out.

The jet ski reached the shore. The first responder was already calling for medical, his radio crackling. Voice urgent.

Paramedics were running toward them, bags in hand. Moving fast.

Kieran pushed through the crowd, Samantha right behind him.