71. Elouise
Elouise
The water feels like a cage. Holding me suspended in nothingness. The freezing cold is endless around me.
My fingers fumble again, trying to undo my seatbelt. But I can’t get the button to work. Or maybe it’s my hands.
The water is so cold.
One of the windows shattered during the violent roll down the hill. Maybe mine. Maybe all of them.
The water was immediate. Rushing through the window openings, flooding my existence.
My lungs scream.
How long has it been since my last breath?
Seconds?
It must have only been seconds.
My throat clutches at nothing.
I blink through the dim light.
I need to get out.
I need to get out!
And then everything goes black.
Pure darkness surrounds me.
I need to inhale.
I just want to inhale.
It burns .
My fingers try the seat belt again.
I can’t!
I squeeze my eyes closed. Shutting out the horror of my situation.
FOCUS!
My fingers slip and I want to scream. I want to cry!
I need to breathe!
Click.
My seatbelt gives way but I hardly move, my body stuck floating in the same position.
I blink. But there’s nothing to see.
Which way?
I have to breathe!
Which way is out?!
I NEED TO brEATHE!
My eyes burn along with my lungs.
I’m crying.
I’m crying because I know-
Hands grip mine. Pulling me free.
Beckett.
Strong arms close around me.
I know it’s Beckett.
I want to sob.
But I need to breathe.
I can’t…
My mouth opens, my lungs forcing me to pull in air that I know isn’t there.
My mind tries to scream at my body to stop, but my body doesn’t listen.
My lungs expand. And pain explodes through my chest as…
Oxygen.
Oxygen fills my lungs.
“It’s okay. You’re okay.” Beckett sounds like he’s crying. “Please be okay.”
I want to tell him I am. That he saved me. But I’m coughing. Trying to learn how to breathe again.
My hands clutch at Beckett’s warm body .
“Elouise, talk to me. Baby, please talk to me.”
My numb fingers grip him tighter, and I can feel him pulling me through the water. Then my feet drag against something, and there’s ground beneath me.
Our legs are still in the water, but Beckett’s gotten us to the shore, our limbs are in a tangle as he lays me on my side.
His hands touch me everywhere. “Elouise. Baby.”
I swallow, taking in a less painful breath, “I’m okay.”
Beckett pulls me into him, his hug almost too tight.
“Elouise.” He keeps whispering my name, I can feel his body shuddering.
“Thank you,” I whisper between my own sobs. “You saved me.”
He shakes his head as he presses his face into the side of my neck. “You were gonna get out.” His hold tightens. “You would’ve gotten out.”
We both know his words aren’t true. But I still nod my head.