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Submerged

“Hurry!” she mouthed.

He gave a nod, then swam to the surface and shone the light inside the rear window. Colton had pushed an unconscious Ella up onto the top of the back seat, against the rear window. The water was up to the boy’s chest.

When Colton noticed the light, the terrified boy pressed his face against the window and screamed something. It was heartbreaking to witness.

Marcus gave Colton the OK signal, then held up a finger. One minute, and I’ll have you all out. He prayed the boy would understand.

Correct timing was essential. Marcus knew he had to get the first tank to Rebecca as soon as he broke the window. They’d be holding their breath as the car filled. He’d have to open the back door, secure the kids’ masks and get them to shore.

Then he’d go back for Rebecca.

The question was, could he get everyone out alive?

Chapter Twenty-Two

Near Cadomin, AB – Saturday, June 15, 2013 – 12:15 AM

Rebecca let out a victorious whoop as soon as she spotted the faint light moving in the water toward them.

“Marcus is here. Outside the car.” She turned her head and saw Ella lying on top of the back seat. “You are brilliant, my son. That’s the perfect place for your sister.”

The car jerked and shifted forward, and they each let out a scream.

“What’s happening, Mom?” Colton cried.

“Just a bit of movement. Keep calm.”

Rebecca knew what had happened. The car had moved further into the river.

Colton groaned.

“Are you all right, honey?”

“I’m almost out, Mom! The seat’s moved forward. My leg’s almost free.”

“That’s awesome, honey. Keep working at it. How’s Ella doing?”

“She’s breathing real loud.”

“Give her another dose.”

“I lost Puff,” he said in a forlorn tone. “It’s in the water somewhere.”

She took a fortifying breath, thinking of the backup inhaler that was locked in the glove compartment. “That’s okay. Marcus is here now.”

“I’m out!” Colton shouted seconds later.

When he half walked, half swam toward her, Rebecca held up a hand and shook her head. “No! Stay where you are. We don’t want the car to shift any more than it has. Stay back and keep your head above the water. Ella’s too.”

“But what about you? Maybe I can get you out.”

“No, honey. We have to trust Marcus. He’ll know what to do.”

Something banged against the car. Rebecca knocked on the window in response.

The light moved closer. Then she saw Marcus. His face was distorted from the dirty water and faint light, but she’d never felt so glad to see someone in all her life.

She released a heavy sigh. “Hurry!”

He swam toward the rear, and a minute later, he vanished.

“Help us!” Colton sobbed, banging on the window.

“Honey, I know you’re scared, but we have to stay calm.”

“I want out, Mommy! Get us out!”

“I know.”

She cried openly now, rocking back and forth, hugging her chest. Her heart ached for her son, for Ella. God, please… if you can’t save all of us, save my children. Save Ella and Colton. Please…

She couldn’t imagine life without her babies. Couldn’t contemplate never holding them again.

“What if we die here?” Colton asked.

The question sent icicles down her spine. “We’re not going to die.”

“But what if we drown?”

“Marcus won’t let that happen.”

She didn’t know why she was relying so heavily on a stranger to save them, but there’d been something in Marcus’s voice—something that made her feel calm, made her believe they would all come out of this nightmare, alive.

She glanced down at the steering wheel that immobilized her. Or at least some of us will survive.

With a high probability of internal damage and definite broken ribs, she doubted she’d have the strength to swim, much less get out of the car. Marcus would be busy with the kids. By the time he got them to shore and came back for her, she could be dead.

But Colton and Ella will be alive.

She smiled, imagining their lives as they grew. Would they be rebellious teenagers? Would Wesley be able to handle them? What would they do with their lives? What would they become?

The water had risen to her breasts. Though the majority of her body was numb with cold, she kept her hands above her head and flexed her icy fingers every now and then. Breathing hurt her ribs, and she tried to slow each uneven breath. A surge of nausea rippled through her body. Her vision swam in and out, and all the blinking in the world wouldn’t bring things into focus.

Please, God, don’t let me faint now.

But God wasn’t listening.