Chapter 59: from the lake
"Kaedros! Taria! You’re alive!" Rauk’s voice trembled with disbelief and relief.
Kaedros lay on his back, soaked and spent. Everything had happened too fast. Whatever had pulled them under hadn’t given a hint of warning. Taria had nearly drowned. If he hadn’t reacted quickly enough, she’d be dead.
"We almost died," he said between deep breaths. "Look at her. She’s unconscious."
Rauk rushed over, clothes soaked and green goo clinging to his hair. He knelt beside her and placed his ear against her chest. He began chest compressions, counting under his breath.
One. Two. Three—
Taria’s mouth opened. Water gushed out. She coughed violently, body jerking as she expelled the liquid from her lungs.
"What...what is...hap—happening..." she wheezed, blinking in confusion. She looked around, dazed. What happened? The last thing she remembered was drinking water.
Then the memory hit her. She tensed immediately.
Her red-tinged eyes darted toward Kaedros, who was still lying on the grass, breathing heavily. "What happened?"
Rauk answered for him. "We were drinking the water. Then something just pulled us in! I thought it was one of you two messing around... until I felt the grip on my neck. That’s when I knew it was real."
"How did you escape?" she asked, pointing weakly to her spear lying nearby, snapped in two. "I left it by the bank, but I doubt it would’ve helped. Whatever grabbed me... it was strong."
Rauk shuddered. He glanced at the lake, which now looked calm and innocent. "My technique cuts clean through most things. Once I used it, I sliced my way free."