Chapter 98

Evelyn abruptly changed direction, kicking hard toward the coral reef below.

She could clearly sense the disturbance in the water currents behind her.

The shark was closing in.

Not daring to look back, she squeezed through a narrow crevice in the rocks with all her strength.

Boom—

The shark's massive body slammed into the rock wall, shaking the entire cave.

Evelyn's left arm smashed painfully against the stone, sending waves of agony through her body.

She flexed her arm cautiously—just bruised, thankfully.

Now she had to wait for the shark to leave.

But her oxygen was depleting at an alarming rate.

The instructor had promised three hours from the tank.

Yet after barely thirty minutes, each breath became more labored.

Cold sweat soaked through her wetsuit.

Finally, the shark swam away.

Evelyn immediately began ascending while pressing the emergency distress button.

No response from the surface.

She kicked desperately upward as her lungs began burning.

Her limbs grew heavier.

Vision blurred.

The surface light seemed both near and impossibly far.

Her eyelids fluttered shut.

"Evelyn!"

A familiar voice pierced the water.

Strong arms encircled her waist.

Sophia swam furiously, pulling them toward the surface.

"Cough—cough—"

Evelyn convulsed as air flooded her lungs.

Seawater gushed from her nose and mouth.

"You scared me to death!" Sophia's voice trembled as she fumbled with Evelyn's gear. "When I saw the distress signal, I came immediately—"

Evelyn gasped, her chest aflame.

"I thought—" Sophia suddenly choked up. "I almost lost you—"

She clutched Evelyn tightly, tears dripping onto her wet hair.

"Thanks." Evelyn managed a weak smile. "But your CPR technique—"

"Shut up!" Sophia punched her shoulder, eyes red-rimmed. "You're joking at a time like this?"

The small boat rocked gently as sunset stretched their shadows across the water.