Page 85 of Lost Truth
He planted his feet wide apart to maintain his balance and looked down. Angry, rough waves crashed at the front of the boat, rocking the debris left behind in the water, submerging some of the pieces before they bobbed back up.
Mina ran her handheld searchlight between her boat and the ship. He caught his first look at the ship’s name. TheRed Dragon Voyager. No surprise there.
Her light danced over the water, the rolling waves swallowing it up, like a greedy shark hunting its prey. She continued moving in a grid pattern.
“Wait!” he yelled to be heard above the wind and tumultuous ocean. “Bring your light back. I think there’s someone clutching to the luggage you just passed over.”
She shifted the light back toward the ship, highlighting a big suitcase. “Yes! Yes! There’s someone there.”
Hayden didn’t waste a second but ripped off his vest and kicked out of his shoes. He plunged into frigid water. The icy waves slapped over him, threatening to swallow him up too. He fought to remain on the surface, where the wind propelled him back with each inch he gained. Heavy rain pelted his face, and he struggled to gain a breath.
Help this woman hold on. Help me rescue her.
Could he do this?
He had to. Her life was in his hands.
Pretend Cady was clinging to life. Ignore the waves whipped into foam by the unrelenting wind.
He dug deep. Found additional strength. Crawled, arm over arm. Pulling hard. Muscles screaming. Tearing. But winning. Advancing. Moving closer.
Rain vanished into the frothing waves as if the ocean was devouring the storm drop by drop, rage meeting rage in an unrelenting clash.
A sound caught his attention.
Could it be the woman’s hoarse cry for help or was it the water hitting the ship?
He preferred to believe it was the woman, but if so, she couldn’t have much left before she disappeared into the murky depths.
Do better! Move faster! Pump harder!
His motivation doubled. He surged ahead. A large wave collided with the suitcase, ripping her free. Her arms flailed, splashing, and trying to find something to clutch onto. The suitcase. Likely. The icy water consumed her. She popped back up. Coughing, struggling, but with less energy.
He buried his face in the water and sliced through the water one stroke at a time. Kicked until his thigh muscles burned with exhaustion.
He wanted to give up more than he’d ever wanted to give up in his life.
Keep going. Trust God. He put you here for this moment. With His help, you can save this woman’s life.
Literal waves of trouble surging around him, he plunged ahead. He didn’t have a life preserver or a suitcase to cling to, but he could cling to God. He was Hayden’s protection through this storm.
His hand struck the suitcase. Yes! He was there, and the woman had surfaced again. He braced his muscles, preparing for her to throw her body on him and take him under like many drowning victims did.
But she didn’t move. Probably didn’t have the strength or was too cold.
He raked in a few deep breaths and circled his way around the suitcase to her. She blinked at him. Her eyes were vacant. Looking exhausted. As if she were giving up.
“Hold on. Don’t give up on me now.” He doubted she understood him, but he infused his tone with hope and encouragement.
He took her arms from the suitcase, and her hands remained curled as if she were still clutching something. He turned her on her back without any fight or argument. Clasping her around the chest, he started to stroke back toward the boat.
Her silent sobs jerked her body amidst the shivering. At these cold temperatures and having been in the water for so long, he doubted she would make it for much longer.
A motor sounded above the storm, nearing him. He glanced back.
Yes! Thank you, God.
Sawyer was moving his boat into position nearby.
