Page 188 of Gabriel
I hesitate, torn between my urgency to find Cecilia and the risk of involving my teammates in what might turn out to be nothing. But their unwavering support bolsters my resolve, and I nod, gratitude swelling in my chest.
“Alright,” I tell them. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 57
CECILIA
Islice through the water, arms pumping as I near the wall. Flipping underwater, I kick hard, hurtling myself forward. I slap the tile, pausing to see my time on the overhead clock. A smile stretches my lips. A personal best, even exhausted.
Adriana would be proud. She was right to convince me to join the team. I love this. I love the competitive nature of the sport, even when I’m only competing with myself, and today more so than most, I need the distraction.
My head’s been a mess since we got back from Sun Valley this morning. I thought the bus ride home would give me time to think, but all it’s really done is give me more time to drum up questions I don’t have the answers to.
Things are changing with Gabriel and I. After last night, I don’t know, it’s like something has shifted, and I can’t figure out whether or not that’s a good thing. Hence, being here at the pool despite not having practice today.
I hoped the extra time to myself would help me sort through some things, but aside from pushing myself to the point of physical exhaustion, I haven't accomplished much else.
Reaching for the edge, I push myself half out of the pool when a blur of motion catches my eye.
Cruel fingers twist into my hair, dragging me back, and I cry out only for my shriek to die as my cheek slams into the concrete.
Pain explodes across my face.
Someone wrenches my head back, and I thrash in their grip. My eyes water, making it hard to see, but I blink through the pain, and little by little, Austin’s twisted face comes into view.
I open my mouth to scream, but right as I do, he forces me under water, choking off my cry for help.
Bubbles race past my face while I scream before clamping my mouth shut.
I writhe, panic and the need for air battling within me. Darkness swarms my vision.
How long can I hold my breath? Two minutes. Maybe three if I’m lucky. I haven’t really tested it in a while.
Austin releases me, and I explode upwards, gulping air in ragged gasps.
Relief washes over me, but it’s short-lived when my eyes rise and lock with Austin’s. “Miss me?”
His fingers twist in my hair and he shoves me back under.
My struggles are weak, terror and adrenaline filling my veins. I kick with everything I have, but it’s the end of the day. I’ve been here for over an hour, and my body is tired. I have little fuel left in my tank.
Panic grips my chest, making my movements erratic and with no real direction.
I can’t breathe.
My lungs burn as I struggle to fight the overwhelming urge to take a breath. I’ll drown if I do. I know I will.
But as each second passes, the urge to breathe hammers into me.
The back of my throat burns. I claw at Austin’s hand on my head, my short nails digging into his skin. Despite my efforts, all it seems to do is piss him off more, enough to shove me down harder.
He’s going to kill me. He’s really going to kill me.
Changing up my tactic, I stop trying to reach the surface and instead, dive downward, aiming for the darkened bottom of the pool. But Austin knows what I’m trying to do because his fingers tighten their grip on my hair, keeping me from moving out of reach.
He has complete control over me, and again, I am powerless to stop him. Powerless to keep him from hurting me.
Angry tears sting the backs of my eyes to mix with the chlorinated water.
