Chapter 4: The Fight
Daniel surfaced hard, dragging in air as the ship moved farther away. The water was chaotic, the wake pulling at him from every direction.
“Lily!”
He turned wildly—once, twice—
Then he heard it.
A cough.
He locked onto the sound and swam, pushing through the waves with desperate strength. He lost sight of her once, then found her again just as she slipped under.
He grabbed her, pulling her back above the surface.
“Dad!” she gasped.
“I’ve got you.”
She clung to him, shaking, coughing.
“I dropped Rosie,” she cried.
“It doesn’t matter.”
He turned her onto her back, holding her steady while kicking beneath them.
Minutes stretched.
“Don’t let me go,” she whispered.
“I won’t.”
He kept talking—anything to keep her focused.
Pancakes. Songs. Her mother’s laugh.
“Do you think Mom can see us?” she asked softly.
Daniel tightened his grip.
“Yes,” he said. “So stay with me.”
