Author's Note: I am sorry that this chapter is so short. I am hoping that with a day off tomorrow, I will be able to move things along. Thank you for your patience.

The light from the tiny lantern that Villegas had hung on the wall was no match for the growing darkness of the cave. The sea water was already up to their waists and rising fast. The passage that Felipe had used had already submerged. They would have to swim 50 feet underwater if they wanted to survive.

Felipe took Mireya's hand. Placing her fingertips, first, onto his chest, then, on her own, he made a swimming motion in the icy water.

"I don't understand." She started to cry.

Felipe wiped a tear from her eye. Once again, he moved her hands in the water.

"Swim?"

He nodded into her palm.

"I … I can't swim. I can't do it"

Felipe kissed her hand. Her fingers, as cold as ice, trembled in his. He thought for a moment... there had to be a way. He scratched his head.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

Felipe placed her hands on his chest, wrapping her fingers around the material of his shirt. If she hung onto his shirt, he could lead her through the underwater maze.

"No." She shook her head. "I can't." She was clearly terrified. Taking his face in her hands, Mireya pulled Felipe to her. She kissed him gently on the lips. "Please, Felipe. You have to get out... I will only slow you down. You have to let Milio know how much I love him and that this wasn't his fault. He will blame himself." Her tears started to flow, again. "Please."

Felipe shook his head adamantly. He was not going anywhere without her!

Mireya's entire body shook from the numbing water that was, already, up to her chest.

He lifted her onto the last small ledge. Just big enough for one, Felipe remained on the lower level, holding onto Mireya's waist to keep her from slipping.

"Go!" She cried. "Save yourself." She tried to push his hands away, but was no match for his strength and determination.

Felipe tightened his grip on her wrists. When he felt her resistance stop, he placed his hands back on her waist, in order to keep her from falling.

Mireya knew, then, that he would never leave her. She took his face in her palms. "Okay." She whispered through chattering teeth. "Okay."

Gently, Felipe lowered Mireya back down to his level.

She lost her footing and slipped under the surface of the water.

Felipe quickly grabbed the panicking girl and lifted her to her feet. He wiped the wet hair from her face and made sure that she was steady before releasing his hold.

"Well, that was a graceful start." Mireya tried to make light of the terrifying situation.

Felipe took her trembling hands in his. He couldn't help staring, amazed and inspired by the strength and bravery of the beautiful señorita. He put one finger in her palm, next two, and then 3. Moving her hand under the water, he tried to simulate a dive.

Mireya nodded. "On 3." The water had risen to the top of her shoulders. She was shaking uncontrollably from the cold.

Felipe placed her left hand to the back of his shirt, wrapping her fingers tightly around the wet cotton. He squeezed her right hand and she began the countdown.

"One… "She took a deep breath and exhaled. "Two..." Another breath. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. "Three..."

They both took a deep breath and Felipe lowered himself into the darkness, with Mireya hanging onto his shirt with all of her might.

ZZZ

The young couple swam toward the entrance of the distal cave. Felipe could see the water lighten where it opened into the next level. The flickering glow, from the torch he had left burning, lighting their way. They were almost there.

Mireya felt a sudden jerk on the hem of her dress. Her fingers, numb from the cold, slipped from Felipe's shirt. She grabbed wildly, her hand searching for the boy. Unsuccessfully tugging at the hem of her dress, she began to panic. She was caught. She could feel her lungs burn; the added effort of freeing herself depleted the waning air in her lungs.

Felipe stopped, immediately, when he felt the unexpected release of the girl's grip on his shirt.

Mireya's arms flailed wildly. She tried to swim to the surface, but was stopped by some immoveable force. She pulled and yanked at her dress, trying to free herself from the clutches of the unknown captor.

Felipe could see the bubbles escaping from her nose and mouth. He rushed to her side.

She clawed at his shirt as he drew close.

He struggled and wrenched her fingers from his chest; she would drown them both in her panic. He dove below, and began untangling her dress from the debris. He could feel the terrified girl kicking and reaching out for help.

His own lungs were on fire. He needed to free her … and fast. He tried to unknot the tangled mess.

All of a sudden, above him, the struggling stopped.

Mireya no longer panicked; her arms floated calmly at her sides. There were no more bubbles escaping from her nose or mouth.

NO! Felipe's own fears gripped his heart. He gave one giant tug on the bottom of her dress and felt the fabric rip beneath his grasp. He rose to face her.

Mireya floated motionless in the water… hung like a wireless marionette. Her auburn curls bounced in the movement of the water, framing her pale, heart shaped face. Her beautiful eyes, normally dancing like liquid emeralds, were cold and dark.

He shuddered. He had never seen them so unseeing.

ZZZ