Crave by Jordan Sweet Read Free Book Online Page A

the numbness of my legs- it makes me stop trying to swim and instead just try to maintain the float.  I turn my attention to the shore, and think now that that is the only way I am coming out of this water. 
    My legs brush something below and I feel the scrape.  Like a piece of glass just ran up one leg and then down the other.  It feels like I am in a clothes washer with a broken wine glass. 
    Everything hurts.
    If I bleed, I realize, there will be sharks.
    I don’t think this can get any worse.  I don’t want to die like this, I tell myself.
    I can’t die like this. I can’t.
    I will myself to make another swim toward the boat, realizing this might be my last push.
    I make what feels like good progress for a minute or two and then stop to look and get my bearings, making sure I’m at least headed in the right direction.
    Yep, headed in the right direction. Not much closer, but at least made some headway.
    The waves have lightened up some and I see this is my chance to make a good run.  I put forth every last effort I have to go forward and I can see up ahead it is getting closer.
    I hear the sounds of a wave runner and I worry now that that will be my fate- not a drowning, but a wave runner crashing into me.
    The reality that I fear nearly happens as one crosses right behind me and sends floods of waves across the back of my head.  And fumes of gas and exhaust across my face.  More water swallowing, coughing, gagging.
    I don’t think I can make it now.  My body has never been so exhausted.
    I determine the only thing left to do is float.  And hope.  Hope that the tide pulls me in and I avoid any major rocky formations underneath.  I concede myself to that course, realizing I’ve exhausted all other options.
    But even that approach seems difficult.  I still have to stay above water.  And my legs gave out a few minutes ago.  My arms are the only things keeping my mouth above- mere centimeters above- the waterline.
    I feel myself getting dizzy.  And my head goes light.  I roll over to float on my back, but that is no use either.  Without my legs to stabilize, I just keep getting tossed around and over by the surf.
    And then my head goes under. 
    Not willingly.  Not to look at what’s underneath. 
    Just because it does, and I can’t stop it from doing so.  I am so exhausted, so ready to sleep.  I almost forget I’m in the water and think about just shutting my eyes. 
    The thought overwhelms me.  It seems so much better than the arms struggling and all of the weight of my legs.
    I tell myself to just let go.  Just let it happen. 
    I’ll float to shore.  I’ll just float in… it will all be over soon…

CHAPTER 8
     
    As I come to, I hear the sputtering sound of the wave runner next to me and feel the bump as it hits me softly.  Suddenly, and with great force, I am pulled from the water. I can barely lift my arm onto the craft when I hear a powerful voice yell, “You’re almost up”.
    I can see all of his muscles flexed in his forearm and his biceps are bulging out of the body suit.  I can barely see his face- my vision is fuzzy and he is covered with goggles and the top of his body suit to the top of his neck.
    I don’t think I can get onto the seat behind him, or sit there if I could.  But, that isn’t an option.
    He’s pulled me over in front of him, lying across his lap.
    I wake up and the sun is burning my eyes.  I see someone over me, close.
    I am coughing and water is coming up.
    I want to roll over, but can’t.
    “She’s breathing,” I hear someone call.
    My vision slowly comes back and I turn my head to avoid looking into the bright sun.  My hand comes up to cover my eyes and I feel sand all over my face as it brushes over my cheek.  There is a small crowd of people about me.
    I look up to see who is above me.  Shockingly, it is him . 
    His eyes are dark and his look is serious.
    His hand comes down now, across my cheek and he comes closer to my