Russ
Russ stared down at Battlestar, a look of dumbstruck surprise frozen on his face. It took him a moment to fully react, finally reaching out a hand to help pull him up. Russ slid over and made room for Battlestar, who flopped down beside him.
Dude, what… how the hell did you get here?" Russ asked after finally finding his voice. Despite the strangeness of the whole situation, he was actually quite relieved to have another human being around, especially a friend. Battlestar sat up lowly with a groan before replying. He seemed really out of breath, which was understandable after trying to swim through water with heavy clothes weighing him down. "
I don't have the faintest idea. I just remember going to sleep last night, or tonight, I don't even know for sure, and that's it. Next thing I know, I'm sitting in a tree with a wasp nest inches from my face."
I take it that didn't work out well in the end if you ran and swam all the way out here.
Battlestar laughed. He seemed to be calmer now, since his hands had stopped shaking violently. You got that right.
At least I know which way to shore now…
They sat in silence for a moment, not quite knowing what to say next. A cool breeze started to pick up, causing them both to shiver.
Well, you know just as much as me about this whole thing. I'm just glad to know that someone else is here. I was afraid I was seeing things earlier when I saw you on the shore.
Battlestar paused for a moment, he looked confused. "On the shore? Maybe you are seeing things Russ. I wasn't on the shore earlier. I just got here after those wasps chased me. I think there might have been a shore farther down, but I'm not sure. It was all kind of a blur."
Russ' heart sank. The feeling of relief shattered. Well then who…
"Maybe there are others here then? I mean, it can't be a coincidence that the both of us are here, right?"
Battlestar nodded quickly in agreement, wanting to believe that was right as much as Russ.
"Right. Of course, I mean there have to be other people here. We should go and find them then!"
Battlestar started to edge towards the water, as if eager to swim back. Russ froze. "No wait, but we can't!"
Battlestar looked back in confusion. "Huh? Why not? It's not that far. Sure, it's a bit deep right here at first but it gets a little more shallow closer to-"
"NO. No we can't- I can't. I just… I can't okay? We have to figure out some other way. Something, I don't know. But we can't swim back." Russ became flustered. His voice stammering as he spoke.
No way I can to that; This is crazy and a stupid idea.
Russ felt Battlestar grab his arm and tug lightly, as if trying to persuade him towards the water." Another way? What are you talking about; do you have a boat nearby or something? Seriously, let's just go. I don't think there is any other way to do this. What's the problem? Can you not swim?"
Russ started to feel his face get red. Embarrassed anger boiling inside him.
"No, I can swim. Don't be stupid. It's just-"
"Well come on, let's go!" Battlestar was starting to become impatient, not understanding what the issue at hand could be.
"I said I can't-"
"Why not? It's just a short swi-"
"IT'S A PHOBIA OKAY. I HAVE A FEAR OF OPEN WATER. THAT'S THE PROBLEM." Russ blurted out. He hadn't meant to yell, but his nerves were putting him on edge.
I can't just swim out there, okay? why doesn't he get this, just drop it already.
The look on Battlestar's face quickly changed his rage into guilt.
What am I getting mad at him for? He didn't know. He couldn't have known. God how I feel like a jerk.
"Listen, sorry I-"
"No no its fine seriously." Battlestar cut the apology short. "But we still have to get to shore somehow."
Well I can't argue with that…
Russ heard a splash beside him, and turned to see Battlestar floating in the water again holding onto the edge. "Come on Russ, maybe if you just close your eyes it would help?" he started swimming out; struggling to tread water in his heavy clothing. Russ just stared at his head bobbing up and down with annoyance. "Seriously, come on. This isn't going to work I said no-"
"Oh come on just look the shore isn't even that far away, see?" Battlestar jerked his head backwards to point towards the shore in the distance. "Come on it's not that scary just-"
"'Not that scary' yea, easy for you to say. Come on man I'm not joking I know it's stupid but I just… I just can't okay?" Russ had to stand now to see Battlestar. Hmm it didn't take him that long to get out that far. Maybe it isn't that far away after all…. Still. That changes nothing. I can't do this.
Battlestar swam off to the side and found some higher ground he could perch on. Russ knew he wasn't that far away but somehow he felt as if there were a million miles between them. "Come on, look," he heard Battlestar shout. "It isn't even that deep over here and y-" Battlestar's eyes went wide and his words were cut short as Russ saw Battlestar's head suddenly disappear under the water.
WHAT?!
Russ stepped forward, forgetting that there was no ground in front of him, and stumbled into the water. He quickly flailed backwards and clung to the edge of the rock. "BATTLESTAR? HEY! WHAT HAPPENED. BATTLESTAR!" he could feel his heart pounding. Shit! See this is what I was afraid of. You idiot! I told you!
But Battlestar was nowhere to be scene. Russ hesitated. But then quickly dove through the water to where he thought he saw Battlestar last. His lungs burned but he didn't want to come back up in fear of changing his mind. Suddenly he brushed against a hand. The hand clung back
Oh thank god
He tried to pull him up but he wouldn't budge. It was like there was something holding on to Battlestar that was trying to keep them both down. He could barely hold his breath any longer. He pulled as hard as he could towards the shore. Suddenly finding higher ground, he stood and took a much needed gasp above water. To his relief he could hear Battlestar doing the same beside him. Russ let go of him and they ran in seemingly slow motion towards the shore, which suddenly wasn't too far away. Russ tried not to think of what it could have been that had suddenly dragged Battlestar down, but focused instead on the thought that they managed to get out alive. By the time they both got to shore, they were completely out of energy. An uncomfortable silence clung to the air around them filled only with ragged breathing until Battlestar finally spoke up.
"Um… well first of all thanks. Second of all, sorry. I don't know what the hell just happened, but all I remember is feeling like something grabbed my leg and I went under and…man. This place is fucked up. "
Russ turned and gave him a pained grimace. "Hey, we made it to shore didn't we? Let's just… pretend that never happened. I don't want to think about that ever again. Deal?
"Don't have to ask me twice. But seriously, I guess now I can see why that was scaring you. Remind me to never go swimming again."
Russ had to laugh at that. Battlestar stood up, and attempted to wring out his shirt.
"So, what now?"
