Chapter 26
The alarm shrieked to life, shattering the morning's silence,I groggily opened my eyes. Wednesday morning was already off to a sluggish start, and all I wanted to do was retreat back into the warmth of my bed.
With a languid stretch, I reached out a heavy hand, slapping at the alarm clock with a lazy hand.
The consistent ringing finally ceased, and I let out a soft sigh of relief. The silence was a balm to my frazzled nerves, and I snuggled back under the covers, letting the warmth envelop me like a gentle hug. Sleep beckoned, its siren call impossible to resist, and I succumbed to its allure, drifting off into a peaceful slumber, the morning's demands and responsibilities temporarily forgotten in the depths of my cozy bed.
I continued to sleep, lost in a peaceful slumber, until the realization hit me like a ton of bricks - I was supposed to be in class. I jolted upright, sitting on the edge of the bed for a moment, trying to shake off the lingering drowsiness. Thankfully, the pain in my knee had subsided a bit, allowing me to move around more comfortably. I quickly showered, dressed, and checked my phone, my heart skipping a beat as I saw a message from Jo - "Good morning, pretty." I couldn't help but smile as I replied with a simple "Hey, good morning."
After setting my phone aside, I prepared everything I needed for the day and headed to the cafeteria to grab some breakfast. As I joined the queue, I let out a mental groan - this was going to be a long morning. Just as I was waiting, someone slipped a piece of paper into my hand, and before I could turn around to see who it was, the person had vanished into the crowd. I looked down at the paper, curiosity getting the better of me...
As I unfolded the paper, my heart skipped a beat. The message was clear: "Meet me at the swimming pool now - Jo sang." I felt a rush of excitement mixed with confusion. Why would Jo want to meet me at the swimming pool? And why the secrecy?
Without hesitation, I excused myself from the crowd and made my way out of the cafeteria. I asked a few students for directions to the swimming pool, and they pointed me in the right direction. I quickened my pace, my curiosity piqued. What could Jo want to talk to me about? And why the mysterious note?
As I pushed open the small gate open,the swimming pool stretched out before me, its lanes gleaming like polished silver. The surrounding area was eerily quite with no single soul. The only sound the gentle lapping of the water against the pool's edges. I wondered why Jo would choose to meet here, but my curiosity was piqued. I slipped my phone into my pocket, deciding to wait for the surprise rather than calling Jo.
As I began to explore the area, my eyes scanned the surroundings for any sign of Jo. The pool's grandeur was imposing, its size and depth a testament to the school's commitment to aquatic sports. I walked along the edge, my footsteps echoing off the tile floor. The warm water beckoned, and I couldn't resist the urge to dip my hand into its depths. The liquid warmth enveloped my skin, sending a shiver of anticipation down my spine. What could Jo's surprise be?
Suddenly, I sensed a presence behind me, a subtle shift in the air that hinted at another person's proximity. Before I could turn around, a pair of hands grasped my shoulders, and I was pushed into the water. I plunged beneath the surface, the cool liquid enveloping me like a shroud.
Panic surged through my veins as I plunged into the cold water, the sudden immersion igniting a primal fear that made my heart race. Swimming had never been my thing;I loathed the feeling of being swallowed by the depths, the oppressive weight of uncertainty that came with it,and to make matter worst, the water was very deep, so I thought.
As I struggled to surface, an ice-cold dread enveloped me, rendering my mind a blank slate, consumed by anxiety.
My arms flailed against the water, each movement feeling futile as if the liquid itself conspired to keep me down. I gasped, my lungs burning with an insatiable craving for air, each desperate attempt to break free from the embrace of the cold water,
The world above faded into a dull murmur, splashes and frantic shouts becoming a distant echo, overshadowed by an all-encompassing terror that clouded my thoughts.
Why had I been pushed? Who had done this to me? The questions spiraled around in my mind like leaves caught in a tempest, but the frantic need for oxygen dominated my every instinct. I kicked with all my might, the chill of the water wrapping around me like a vice, dragging me further from salvation. Time elongated; each second felt like an eternity as I fought against the heavy grip of despair.
As my strength failed, darkness began to seep into the corners of my vision—an inky curtain slowly descending to obscure the world. I felt my body start to surrender, the water cradling me in an unforgiving embrace, whispering a siren's song of resignation. The urge to breathe grew faint, a fleeting memory eclipsed by the encroaching numbness that whispered of oblivion.
And then, just like that, the light faded entirely, swallowed by an abyss that felt both terrifying and strangely inviting. Everything went black, leaving behind a world of chaos for the quiet silence of the deep. In that moment, surrendering to the depths felt like the only escape from the turmoil that had thrust me into this inescapable fate.