Chapter 10

"Four."

"Three."

Brad's gaze flickered between Linda and me. Finally, he spoke painfully, "Let... Linda go."

I calmly closed my eyes.

Suddenly, Anne's frenzied scream pierced the air, "You think I'd actually let you choose? If you won't pick me, you won't get to pick at all!"

With that, I felt a sudden, sickening drop.

"No—"

"Aah—"

Brad's despairing shout and Linda's terrified scream rang out simultaneously.

The next second, I plunged into the churning sea.

—

I carefully cut the ropes with my small knife.

The seawater stung my eyes, but I had no time to worry about that.

I dove deep, grabbing Linda as she thrashed wildly in the water, and struggled to swim upwards.

We burst to the surface, gasping for air.

The sea was rough. I tried to conserve energy, just keeping Linda and myself barely afloat.

After about five minutes, the waves had carried us far from the cliff.

In the distance, a small boat was heading our way.

"Hurry— gulp Hurry up!"

The person on the boat pulle