Chapter 545
Chapter 545:
It pulsed against me like a promise. That heartbeat became my anchor, the one thing keeping me from breaking. Instinctively, I pressed closer, wrapping my arms around his waist, clutching him as tightly as he held me.
I had no idea how much time had passed.
Finally, the waves seemed to ease a little. I lifted my head to see what was happening. Even with the oxygen tank, a nagging fear gnawed at me that I would run out of air.
Just as I shifted, a faint tickle spread across my back. Ashton was tracing letters against me.
“Don’t be afraid. It will be over soon p>
My arms tightened around him. Somehow, those few words steadied me.
Maybe the force of the water had weakened, or maybe I was simply trying not to think about the devastation above us, but my attention slipped to the hands gripping my waist. Even though Ashton had stopped writing, the ghost of that sensation lingered, a tingling that wouldn’t fade.
I bit down on the mouthpiece, desperate to push the feeling away, desperate to escape Ashton. Yet, until the tsunami passed, escape was impossible. The torment gnawed at me like an itch I couldn’t scratch.
After what felt like ten endless centuries, the currents finally eased. The dark sea sank back into its original, eerie calm.
I waited a little longer, watching carefully to be sure the water had stilled, then gently pushed Ashton back to create some space to breathe.
He caught my wrist and tugged me upwards.
In the lightless depths, we had nothing but our hands to guide us.
Suddenly, Ashton froze.
I jerked my wrist, puzzled by his stillness, but then he shifted, turning and pulling me to the left before continuing upwards.
Time stretched unbearably. By the time I broke the surface, it felt like an entire lifetime had passed.
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Moonlight shimmered on the water, perfectly still, as though nothing had happened at all.
I spat out the mouthpiece and dragged in a breath so sharp it hurt, just to convince myself I was still alive.
Beside me, Ashton’s face was pale in the silver light. He didn’t look relieved. If anything, he looked grimmer.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“The boat is gone p>
I froze.
A second later, the meaning of his words hit me. Panic surged as I spun my head from side to side, scanning the endless sea.
Nothing to the left.
Nothing to the right.
Ahead, nothing.
Behind, nothing.
I should have known: a tiny yacht in the face of such destruction had almost no chance of surviving. Ashton and I were stranded at sea.
The thought made me clutch the regulator in my hand. Kicking hard, I swam toward the small island ahead. Ashton followed swiftly.
I scrambled onto the sand, tearing off the oxygen tank and flippers, flinging them aside as I stumbled along the beach. My eyes darted frantically, searching for something.