In a massive show of strength, using every bit of reserved energy she had, Rachel released Lisas arm, hooked her hand along the womans armpit, and hitched her backwards. It was a lazy sort of toss, hindered by the weight and commotion of the water. Lisa went under and the force of the toss sent Rachel backwards in what felt like a very strange aqua aerobics move, though she knew it was not nearly as graceful. She drew her legs in as quickly as she could just as the boat passed by.

She didnt feel the boat actually strike her feet, but she could feel the thrumming weight of it through the water as the wake it pushed up came crashing over her. She was tossed and pushed along by the wake, the dizzy feeling once again claiming her. However, being in the water, she knew all she had to do was kick and tilt her head in the direction she thought was up. When she broke the surface, she thought she was going to throw up. Had she ever been so tired? Had she ever felt so disoriented and at a loss of control?

Her head still reeling, she did her best to tread water while looking for Lisa. The woman was to Rachels right, trying to swim to the shore but clearly struggling. Apparently, she was just as panicked and out of sorts as Rachel was. Rachel made a few strokes in her direction but the world continued to rock back and forth and the little white flares began to jettison across her field of vision again.

Behind her, she could barely hear the boat as the engine died down and someone onboard shouted out. Rachel gave a half-hearted wave for attention but her eyes were still on Lisa. Shed stopped trying to swim, her head going under the water. Crying out in desperation and sheer will, Rachel managed to push herself forward. The boats wake was weaker now so it wasnt as hard to swim ahead.

Someone help us! she shouted as she made her way over to Lisa. Her head had completely submerged just as Rachel reached her. Reaching underwater, she felt the womans shoulder. She hooked her finger through the fabric of the soaked shirt and pulled her up. Hugging Lisa closer to her, she treaded water and prayed shed have enough strength. Her legs felt like jelly, her head felt like a piece of listless driftwood, and the white sparks kept blasting across her field of vision.

Help…

The world grew murky just as she realized that the boat that had nearly hit them was turning around, coming back for them. The driver shouted something to her but she couldnt make it out. She fought hard to keep both her and Lisa above the water but her remaining strength was draining away fast.

The world started growing dark and she felt herself slipping under the water.