Chapter 87 - The beach

I've always found that last moment in movies when the hero is wounded and kicked a thousand butts to finally see the ultimate boss emerge, ridiculous. Yet, here I was. Facing this angry sea of unthinkable mass trying to drown us. How ironic.

-Swim! Please, don't give up

I fought against the heavy liquid, in a lost battle. My weak strokes did little in the progression. Demos paused, he looked around us then faced me. He gripped my jacket to help me steady.

-Give me the T-shirt.

I struggled to stay afloat. He sighed when I didn't respond and pulled it above my head, I coughed several times. The sky was slowly turning blue. How long were we in the water? I couldn't answer. Demos twisted the garment and tight part of the sleeved to the shoulder strap, he then fit one of his arms in the other sleeves. I frowned at him.

-I need both arms to swim, we won't make it if I keep swimming like that.

A wave rolled us sideways before he could finish. Demos dove and pulled me along in his powerful movement. I clumsily waved my arms and legs to stay afloat. I lifted my chin desperate to catch my breath. My legs felt like two blocks of lead. Demos' head sunk under the water then reemerged. He pulled us closer to the beach in no time. When he got his footing he took long steps while pulling me with one hand.

-Liliane, I'll untie us and you will have to walk the remain distance on your own.

He looked at me, there was terror in his now golden eyes. My stomach crunched as the sight. The fact that big bad wolf was scared said tones on our situation. I quickly nodded. I wasn't sure I could do what he told me. But I didn't want to put such a burden on his shoulders. Not now.

-Can you do this?

I nodded once again. He ripped the shirt and freed me from the link then swam rapidly to shore. I did a miserable job as I advanced, my feet didn't reach the bottom yet and god I forgot I was wearing those freaking heels all this time. No wonder my legs ached like that. I watched Demos pulled from the surface he struggled out of his jacket, his back glimmering wet in the morning light as water cascaded down his perfect tan body. A wave caught me by surprise as I was admiring him. I yelped and went under. My eyes widened with fright. I kicked and pushed. All I could see were foams and bubbles. My feet came into contact with a rounded surface. I used it to thrust me up. I coughed and gasped.

-Liliane.

I laughed, another wave shoved me forward stripping my humor. I struggled for balance on my heels. Damn, the person who created that machine to torture feet. The water was now at my waist. Demos watched with concern, his hands on his head. He moved slowly to a huge rock a little further on the beach. He benched to sit but felt heavily on the sand. Alarmed, I picked up the pace, I held out my arms to keep me steady. The dress clung to my thighs making it hard to move.

-Liliane, please don't be scared...

He closed his eyes and went limp. I lost my footing and nearly fall face first but I was able to regain my balance at the last minute. I hurried to shore and kicked the shoes away.

"Demos!" I yelled. Dashing at his side and knelt not minding the peddles poking in my knees scraping my skin. "No, no, no. Demos wake up," my voice broke. I was shivering from the wet clothes. I lightly tapped his face with no effect. "Y-you can't do this to me! Not now, please," I sobbed. I turned around to inspect the beach with big drops of tears rolling from my eyes. It was completely deserted. Further in the bay, the gray waves crashed ignoring my distress. The horizon was empty. There were no signs of our boat or the members of our group.

"Grant! Olga!" my voice was thin and shaky. "Grant!" I tried louder. Nothing. Only roaring waves mocked me. I let myself fall next to Demos stretching my painful legs. They there riddled with bruises. I sighed as I leaned against the rock behind us.

"I am not scared," I told myself. My heart raced against my chest. I took deep breathes to calm myself. Turning my head to the side I watched Demos, he seemed to be sleeping peacefully. One side of my lips curled up.

"That was one hell of a trip, hum? Talk about a honeymoon of a yacht," I faced the beach once again. "Now we have our own private beach, right!" I chuckled. "Hey! Where are my margaritas? I want peanuts too. Damn, the service is terrible. I'll give you a f.u.c.k.i.n.g one star!" I yelled feeling my tears threatened to spill again.

"I hate it!" I whispered to Demos with quivering lips. I slipped my hand in his. His fingers were rapidly turning cold. I let my head rest against his shoulder. I fought against my heavy eyelids. But soon exhaustion sent me in tormented nightmares with monsters chasing after me. It was dark and I could find neither Grant nor Demos.

The sound of a broken twig startled me. When My eyes flipped open, I found myself sitting in the same position with the sun high in the sky. I blinked a couple of times till my sight adjusted to the brightness. Then the sound came again. I sat up, listening to the wall of vegetation beyond the beach of pebbles.

"Grant?" I dared to whisper. But only the now hushing waves answered. The storm was gone. The horizon flat without signs of civilization. I took a quick gaze at Demos. He haven't moved an inched, there was sand mixed in his dry hair. There was sand all over his n.a.k.e.d torso.

"Wait here, ok," I whispered.