When It Comes For You

Five: The Standoff

Next time she opened them, the sun was peeking through the deep purple and red clouds on the horizon.

"Hey there sleepy head." Chad said as he squeezed her shoulders.

He then removed his arm which left her feeling strangely exposed.

A wrapped item appeared in front of her.

"Here's a protein bar." He said. "I'll treat you to a fresh pot of coffee later."

The up-beat tone of his voice sounded a bit forced.

As she accepted it, she glanced down and sucked in a shaky breath.

Water lapped at the edges of the roof.

What unnerved her further was the countless forms of marine life floating lifeless on the blue-gray surface.

Squashing the bar in her hand, fear coursed through her.

She let out a whimper.

"We're gonna be alright." Chad tried to calm her. "Darcy spotted a boat heading our way. See?"

Aimee followed the direction he pointed and saw a sailboat in the distance.

It did appear to be slowly coming their way.

"Eat. You'll feel better." Chad said.

Like a robot that just received a command, she ate.

For the next few hours, they sat silently and watched the sailboat drift toward them.

***

The sun sat mid-way in the sky. Its rays rapidly warming the air.

Sweat beads trickled down Aimee's skin. She was being baked alive.

The sailboat, she estimated, was about a quarter mile away.

And unmanned.

"Think it might reach us before the water does?" She asked while eyeing the water now halfway up the roof.

She felt Chad give a slight shrug.

"No idea."

Aimee craned her head to look at Darcy who sat on the far corner of the ridge.

The woman remained in the same spot since leaving the attic. Her eyes intently studying the area around them.

Neither one had told Aimee what was it that they saw the night before.

Out of the blue, Darcy spoke. "We may need to swim to the boat."

Aimee's body went cold.

"I-I can't." She stuttered. "W-why couldn't one of you swim to it and b-bring it here?"

Darcy let out a sigh of frustration. "Because by the time one of us swim to and bring it here, you would be completely submerged."

Aimee watched as Darcy and Chad exchanged a look she did not understand.

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Guess I'll just stay here until someone gets to the darn boat and come back for me."

"Not going to happen." Darcy's eyes in slits. "You are going with us whether I need to drag you kicking and screaming that's up to you!"

Aimee raised her chin in defiant. "Like hell."

"Okay ladies!" Chad held up a hand. "Enough of this childish squabbling. I'm sure we can come up with a compromise, right?"

"Compromise?" Darcy crossed her arms. "It's either she goes with us, or she dies right here."

The finality of what she said sent Aimee reeling as her breathing quickened to the point of blacking out.

"Oh, for crying out loud." Darcy muttered.

"Stop!" Chad sneered as he rubbed Aimee's back. "You didn't help."

Aimee clamped her eyes shut to hold back the tears as she fought to control her panting.

It was a losing battle.

Darcy threw up her hands and moved to sit by Aimee.

"Listen and do as I say." Darcy spoke in a low, soothing voice. "Whenever I say pokey, I want you to hold your breath for ten seconds. Got it?"

Aimee nodded once.

"Pokey." Darcy said.

Aimee held her breath but only for a few seconds.

A moment later – "Pokey."

Aimee tried again and lasted longer.

They continued this for a while until Aimee was breathing normally.

"Bravo." Chad said.

Aimee wiped unshed tears from her eyes.

"Thanks." She replied. "How did you know? I mean—I haven't done that in years and usually just pass out."

"Personal experience." Darcy said. "Be honest with me, are you not able to swim or are you afraid of the deep?"

Aimee stared out at the ever-expanding lake and sighed.

"After my little sister drowned in a river because I couldn't help her, I took swimming lessons at a community pool. But I never step foot in a river, or lake or ocean since her death." She turned to face Darcy. "I am petrified of the deep."

Darcy blinked several times before responding, her voice full of emotion. "I see. I am sorry for your loss."

Aimee gave a nod and looked away.

"I grew up in LA." Darcy began. "My parents were successful lawyers and never had any time for me, so I'd spend summers with my Auntie Aggie and Uncle Benny down in southern Louisiana."

Darcy brought her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. "Uncle Benny always wanted to be like Indiana Jones, hunting for lost treasures and such. He'd take me down to the bayou where we spend our days pretending we were just that, no?"

Darcy paused for a moment before continuing. "It was near sundown, and we were heading back home when something rammed our boat capsizing it. The water was black as coal, so we didn't see what was lurking below us. Uncle Benny knew though. He used his body as shield and allowed the gator to take him, so I'd have time to reach land."

Darcy turned her dark eyes to Aimee's. "I lived with paralyzing panic attacks until I decided it was enough. First it was surfing. Then it became snorkeling. I forced myself time and time again to go into the water no matter how scared I was. I faced those predators that lived under the surface. I fell in love with that world and wanted to see how many lost treasures I could find on my own."

A smile formed on her lips. "We all have fears, but it is up to us to decide whether or not to allow them to rule our lives."

Darcy reached and flicked loose hair from her face and stood up.

"Come, we must get to the boat before it gets away from us."

Aimee hadn't realized until then that her mouth had dropped open.

In amazement by this woman's courage. She shook her head.

She could never be as strong as her. She knew as soon as she got into that water, she'd panic.

And that will be that.