Chapter 275

The boy clung to Gwen as she now tried to simply tread water. That task required more energy than she had left. She tried to float and rest, but the boy was frightened again and climbed on top of her. She lacked the strength to hold him, or even to keep him off her. She began to go under for longer periods of time and had increasing difficulty getting her head above water as the boy clung to her head, trying to climb up her submerged body.

Steve saw all of this as he propelled his way through the water. Gwen was submerged and the boy was barely keeping his face above water when Steve reached them. He pulled up, grabbed the boy with one hand and reached down and caught Gwen’s pony tail and quickly pulled her above the surface. She immediately spit water and took great gasps of air.

Steve spoke calmly to the boy. “It’s okay now. We’ll just let Gwen rest a little and I’ll take you in. Just climb up on me and we’ll wait for Gwen.”

The boy scampered up Steve’s torso and