Chapter 24: Drowning: Maggie and OA
OA was able to convince Maggie to do something she always wanted - to take surfing lessons. His new mantra 'you only live once' and her new lease in life after the sarin gas exposure, led them to schedule it on their next day off. That day has arrived.
"I can't believe we're doing this," Maggie said, walking to the beach entrance.
OA grinned. "It's gonna be fine, Mags. It's your first time, so it's okay if you fall on your face." Maggie rolled her eyes.
Wearing their rashguard suit, they listened to their surfing instructor and followed his movements on their rented boards in the sand. After the hour-long lesson, it's time to do it in the water.
The sunny weather made it perfect to go swimming and do water sports. OA had gone surfing before so he went first. Seeing OA doing okay gave Maggie that shot of confidence to follow him.
They were enjoying themselves so much that they didn't notice the big waves until it engulfed them. Panic surged through OA when he surfaced but couldn't find his partner. "Maggie! Maggie! Maggie!"
After a few minutes of searching, he spotted a dark figure a few feet ahead of him. He swam as fast as he could before another wave hits him. He finally reached her but his relief faded when he saw her unconscious. He quickly swam while pulling her to the beach.
Once ashore, he called for a lifeguard. He wasn't in his post, tending to another emergency. OA had no choice. The training in the academy would prove to be handy in a situation like this. After performing chest compressions and still no response from Maggie, he moved into position for mouth-to-mouth. As he leaned towards her, her eyes opened and he had to move when she spewed water.
'That was close,' OA thought.
The lifeguard arrived, along with the paramedic, to check on Maggie. When she was allowed to go home, she saw OA waiting for her. "Thanks for saving my life." OA blushed as she reached up to kiss him on the cheek.
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