Chapter 8
The smell of burgers tugged at his stomach. The large amount of teenagers gossiping in groups, some playing truth or dare inside or even the wind stirring up his hair. The tables are full of snacks and red cups with pop. Everything pointed to a fun and relaxing day. Except for him. He just couldn't feel relaxed or enjoy the day.
Brody even declined an invite from TJ to play truth or dare inside and instead went for a swim to clear his mind. He doesn't know what's been wrong with him recently. He just couldn't stand Savannah's constant rambling about how he shouldn't be here with his status. He should be there enjoying the party but Savannah's distaste for everyone and constant complaining left him with a headache.
Brody's eyes fluttered open and the sun started to set with a bright hue of orange, "Time to go back," he whispered.
His skin would prune if he stayed any longer. Flipping on his stomach he started swimming back to the cabin seeing the small group outside enjoying something Nan's stepfather grilled for everyone.
He was only a few more arm strokes away from having his feet touch the somewhat flat ground before his peripheral vision caught something. Turning towards the object it looked like a log. Squinting his eyes to fight the glare, Brody noticed brown hair floating around the head of the petite girl.
Her body was drifting farther out and called out to her and became increasingly uneasy after each call when it didn't respond. He immediately decided it was best to act first and apologize later if it wasn't an emergency and rushed to the rescue. Looking down into the cloudy water, he didn't see anything before trying to get closer. He almost had her before he yanked deeper in the lake by his ankle. He yelped in surprise as it pulled him away from the drifter. Brody tried kicking away at whatever was grabbing him. He yelled "No!" Desperately trying to keep himself above water as it attacks his leg.
He kicks at what he assumes to be aggressive fish before finally grabs the girl into his arms and pulls her through the water hoping someone would notice them.
"Help!" Brody called to the group of girls nearby who panicked. Alerting others of the dead girl in the lake. His voice cracked as he dragged the girl through the water keeping her head faced up until he got to the shallows. He slipped into the mud when he tried to pull her further. He had no choice, he picked up the girl in his arms and carefully waded through the mud with the help of two random students and into the crowd of onlookers. And gently set her down underneath an oak tree.
"What happened?!" Nan said in shock and surprise looking back and forth between Brody and the unknown girl's face that was streaked with mud.
"Someone's drowning!"
Savannah bumped shoulder to shoulder into Nan getting close to Brody checking over him like a mother to a child, "Brody are you okay? You should put yourself at risk for these type of people." Then glared at all the girls staring, wishing she could give the attention thief a swift kick.
Ever shrugged unoffended at the barb and poked the unconscious girl with a stick she found nearby. Nan rolled her eyes before smacking the stick away reaching out for the unknown girl's neck trying to find her pulse like in a television drama she once watched. And when that didn't help, she put her head to the girl's chest listening for a heartbeat.
Brody held his breath, in anticipation or dread he couldn't decide, as he stared at Nan's face for a clue. Relieved when she smiled wanly and said "She's still breathing but I think we should call for an ambulance, I'll try to get her to cough up any water."
"Just let Dr. Martin handle it." Ever suggested.
"But what if it's too late before he gets here? I can't let her die." Nan had already started chest compressions. Forcing air into her lungs and the water out.
When he saw the girl on the ground he immediately switched from cool stepdad to composed Doctor Martin as he guided Nan. Dr. Martin told a short goth girl in the crowd, "Call 911!"
Everyone watched with bated breaths as Nan continued, anxiously waiting to see if the party crasher would ever wake up. A loud puking sound answered them as water was forced out of her lungs. Blurred faces and bright light blinded her. It was better to keep sleeping, Mina thought.
Robert led the emts to the back of the cabin making sure she got on safely before watching the ambulance depart. Everyone stared in both shock and concern before deciding to part ways and head home, the mood killed, dead, obliterated. Unable to do anything else, Nan headed inside.
Ever following close and attempted to cheer the sullen Nan up. "At least it wasn't your first kiss right?" She grinned mischievously.
"Shut up Ever!" Nan groaned before heading upstairs. Brody glanced back at the lake before heading back in as well, unaware of the glare Savannah was burning through him and the path the ambulances left. With a click of her tongue she followed after him.
Nan went straight to her mom. "Can we go visit her? What if someone pulled a cruel prank on her and ditched her?"
Her mom smiled in understanding. "I know you're worried about her darling. How about we go visit her later during visiting hours. We can also explain to her parents."
Nan perked up immediately. "Ever want to go with me?" She wiggled her eyebrows a little insinuating a different meaning.
"Huh? Yeah." Ever agreed looking at her with a confused brow raised.
Brody felt something hard in his hand. Looking down at his clenched fist. He didn't even remember breaking it. This should be her necklace right? Since he broke it he'd fix it and bring it back to her later.
Savannah fluttered her eyelashes at him as she tried to get his attention. "Should we leave?"
Brody just frowned and nodded as he tried to create space between them, confused on why his mind felt so blank.
A/N: The break was nice. Briefly considered killing characters off on days 1-10 but then they'd be without a job so here we are.
Day 11
B: *aggressive breakdancing*
M: *tossing crumbs* OOH KILL EM-
Teague: "When am I going to appea-"
B:*smiles devilishly*
M:*backs up slowly with palms held in front*
B:*grabs female cast member and tosses her out the window*
M:*shocked*
Whole cast:*dumbfounded*
B: took the trash out :D
Teague: "...nvm"
Day 19
B: Risked my life for almost 2k words in 4 days ONLY FOR THE EDITOR TO REMOVE HALF
*Grabs M's red pen and chunks it across the room*
B: 1.5k words...only to be downgraded *sad break dancing*
M: *staring blankly tossing crumbs at Baphy break dancing*
M: We ran out of crumbs…
Teague will probably come back within the next 3-5 chapters or maybe sooner.
B: M burnt my 2 week notice pleas-