Chapter 7 - Gasping at the Waterline
Maya and Clara broke through the surface of the pool in an explosive eruption of water and sound.
The sudden return of air shattered the underwater silence with raw, guttural gasps.
Clara coughed violently, vomiting pool water as her lungs seized upon the cool mountain air.
Maya hooked Clara under her shoulders, swimming backward toward the shallow stone steps with furious determination.
Clara’s hands clutched frantically at Maya’s drenched white blouse, her knuckles turning bone white.
Maya kept Clara’s head elevated high above the waterline, speaking in urgent, steadying commands.
She reminded Clara to draw shallow breaths, reassuring her that they were safe and that the child was alive.
Clara wept between hacking coughs, her trembling fingers pressing down to feel the faint movement inside her belly.
Maya dragged Clara onto the submerged second step, where the water reached only to their waists.
The heavy, waterlogged fabric of their clothes weighed dozens of pounds as they breached the surface.
Clara collapsed back against Maya’s chest, shivering violently from both hypothermia and absolute shock.
The rooftop breeze hit their soaked bodies like needles of ice, but neither woman looked away from safety.
Clara choked out a broken thank you, her voice trembling so hard her teeth rattled together.
Maya stroked the mother's soaked hair back from her forehead, scanning Clara's face for signs of cyanosis.
The baby gave a distinct, sudden kick against Maya’s stabilizing palm, confirming life was still fighting within.
Clara let out a choked cry of relief, burying her face into Maya’s shoulder upon the wet step.
The water around them slowly settled back into gentle, rhythmic laps against the pool's stone rim.
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For a fragile, suspended moment, it seemed the horrific nightmare had reached its peaceful conclusion.
Then the sharp, predatory click of high heels sounded against the wet stones directly above their heads.
