CHAPTER 21

The salty air stung my eyes as I watched Terry and Alex disappear beneath the surface, their laughter echoing through the air. "Whew!" I exclaimed, my voice a mixture of exasperation and fear. I wanted to scold them for their reckless antics, but I was rooted in place, my hand clutching a jagged rock for dear life. The ground beneath me was uneven, a treacherous landscape of submerged rocks and shifting sand. With every wave, the water rose and fell, threatening to pull me under.

"Lara, are you okay?" Terry's voice, laced with a mischievous undertone, reached my ears.

"Do I look okay?!" I retorted, my voice sharp with irritation. They both laughed, their amusement a stark contrast to my growing anxiety.

"You're not going to drown, will I put you in danger?" Terry asked, her laughter echoing through the air. I splashed the water towards them, a futile attempt to express my annoyance. They just laughed harder, their carefree spirit a stark contrast to my growing fear.

"Haha! Hila