Bittersweet Candy Bowl

30. Troubled Waters, original chapter posted 1/16/07

Page 8 of 12

Transcript

*Sue tearfully clasps her hands to her chest.*
Sue: Lucy..
*David cradles a crying Yashy.*
David: ?

*Lucy struggles in the water, grimacing as she gasps for air. She holds onto Mike, his face now above the water. His eyes are closed.*
Lucy (thinking): I can’t do it!! There’s nothing to hold!

*Lucy cries out and flails her arms.*
Lucy (thinking): It’s really deep! I don’t think I can..
*Mike remains unconscious as Lucy struggles.*

*Lucy’s legs flail, as she attempts to find the riverbed, but she can’t.*
Lucy: ..?!

Lucy: AUGHH!!
*Lucy and Mike sink under the water.*

*Sue screams out, teeth grit together in anguish.*
Sue: LUCY!!
*David looks terrified.*
David: OH SNAP!!
*Yashy, still in David’s arms, cries out.*
Yashy: MOMMY!

*Lucy is still holding Mike as they sink. Her breath escapes her, as she reaches out towards the surface.*

*Lucy glances out of the corner of her eye.*
Lucy: No.. No..

*She cradles Mike. Bubbles can be seen at the corner of Mike’s mouth.*
Lucy: Mike.. no.. NO!!

Lucy: DON’T DIE!!

Lucy: !
*Lucy screams as even more air escapes her mouth.*

Lucy: No..
*Lucy’s hand floats limply as she sinks lower.*

*Suddenly, someone grabs Lucy’s hand.*

Lucy: ?!
*Lucy looks shocked.*

*Paulo swims down, a determined look on his place, as he pulls Lucy’s arm. Lucy looks up at him, eyes wide.*

*Lucy smiles gratefully.*
Lucy: Paulo!!

*Paulo swims upward to the surface, carrying Lucy and Mike with him.*

Author commentary

Veronica: Here Paulo comes to save the day!

I was originally gonna make Lucy save Mike all by herself but I felt that was a bit too unrealistic? You don’t really just sprout swimming abilities out of nowhere. Also, despite this being a traumatic event, Lucy saving Mike means that Lucy shouldn’t really be as fearful, since she was capable of rescuing her friend! That should surely be a confidence boost!

So instead Lucy and Mike sank like rocks only for Paulo to jump in and rescue them both. Paulo is meant to be almost as athletically capable as Mike so it makes sense! But it really does stress to Lucy that her concern about swimming was perfectly valid. It’s too bad that engulfs her overtime.