All that the loud sound of water constantly crashing against my ears allowed me to hear, were the desperate screams of Queen Elsa.
I saw nothing but the dense curtain of rain that covered everything. No sign of the ship.
I swam toward Elsa's voice without letting go of Anna's waist for an instant as we both struggled to stay afloat in the wild swell. The lightning made everything around us shine blinding me slightly, and the deafening thunders combined with the waves that covered and shook us were leaving us completely disoriented.
Little by little, the screams were lost in the distance until there was nothing left in that lost point of the map that the sea, the storm, and us.
Tightly clinging to each other, we swam aimlessly hoping to find the ship again until our strength failed us and we were unable to move forward.
"Kristoff… I'm sorry."
Anna began to cry calmly as if she didn't have any energy left even for that. It had been a long while ago when hysteria gave way to determination, but, the latter, had just turned into resignation.
"You are going to die because of me."
"Hey, none of this is your fault."
"Yes, of course it is. If I had been more honest with everyone from the beginning, this would not have happened."
"I don't know what you're talking about, but you'd better save energy."
Her head moved closer to my chest and settled on it, but there was no longer heat in her to be felt on my soaked shirt. Then, ceasing her attempt to float, she lifted one of her hands and gently brushed my cheek.
"I've always loved you, Kristoff."
I knew it. It might seem arrogant to admit it, but I knew that she loved me as much as I loved her. There had never been a word of love between us, but it wasn't necessary either. Our love, destined to die before blossoming, was an open secret to us.
"Anna… Don't give up, please," I implored, holding her body tighter against mine.
"I have no strength left, and you are on your last legs too."
"The storm has subsided and the sea is calm now. Maybe if we take resting turns…"
Anna gave me a tearful smile, used her last energy to put her lips on mine, and collapsed in my arms.
"Anna! Anna!"
There was no answer. Just a new wave covering our heads.
I was not going to allow it. I wasn't going to let her end up like this. Not like her parents; not without having lived a long and beautiful life; not without hearing me tell her that I love her.
The courage that thought produced in me, gave me a last rush of energy that I took advantage of to swim who knows how many meters in the direction of who knows where. But soon, I began to lose control over my own muscles: I had reached my limit; there was nothing to do. I hugged the pale woman who lay in my arms and, after a last whisper, we were prey to the sea.
"I love you, Anna. Don't worry, I got you."
