Chapter 16: Relief

Tommy came to in the water. He sputtered, panic gripping his mind. His arms and legs flailed around. Thinking he was drowning, he grabbed at whatever he could.

“Tommy, stop! It’s okay, you’re okay,” Emilia’s cold, emotionless voice said.

Tommy groaned. His whole body ached. He took a deep breath in, realizing that he wasn’t underwater, and he started to relax.

“What is going on?” he asked.

In his panic, Emilia had shifted him to her back. Tommy tightened his arms around her neck. He looked around frantically. They were in the ocean.

How’d they get there?

“We’re mid-escape,” Emilia said.

“Escape?” Tommy asked.

“Emilia, we’ve got to get back to shore. The sun is going to be rising soon,” Dulcinea whined.

“Both of you, stop!” Emilia hissed.

Tommy pursed his lips, swallowing the next question that rose in his throat. He cleared his throat quickly.