Waterlogged
Freak Occurrence February day 9 - Undertow (Rip current)
@freakoccurrencefeburary
CWs: Drowning, CPR, unclear character status
"Hey Kev. I dare you to swim out to that buoy over there!" Roderick pointed at the buoy that was a few feet away from the beach.
"Rod, I can't swim that far! What if I drown?!"
Roderick patted his shoulder. "You'll be fine! Just go swim there and come back here! Easy peasy!"
"Easy for you to say..." Kevin muttered, but he was already wading into the water. They were supposed to stay on the beach, but Roderick has to get Kevin into some sort of trouble. As he swam towards the buoy, away from the shore, he thought about Roderick and how he was the past few weeks.
He always wanted him to be the daredevil, to try and get out more. He was apprehensive because the idea of him getting into danger absolutely petrified him. What if his parents found out? What if they never allow him out of the house again?
A few minutes later, he managed to reach the buoy. He took a few minutes to catch his breath. That was the farthest he had ever swam. He had to commend himself for that achievement. He waved to a tiny Roderick in the distance who waved in return. Maybe he was being ridiculous. He was overthinking things and they are going to have a great time together.
However, as he began to swim back, it seemed like he wasn't going anywhere. He tried to swim, but it seemed like he was getting further away. It dawned on him that he was caught in a riptide. You were supposed to stay calm and swim parallel to the shore, but his brain was too scrambled to think clearly.
His limbs were starting to get weak as he continued to struggle and soon, he was starting to sink. Just before he could fully disappear into the water, an arm wrapped around his waist. His eyes widened when he saw Roderick trying to hold him up. What the hell was he doing here? Wasn't he supposed to be getting help?!
He tried to swim towards the shoreline, but... No, he's not supposed to be fighting against the tide! He was supposed to swim parallel to the shore! Kevin shook his head, trying to tell him to stop, but he wouldn't listen. He tried and tried and tried, but he couldn't get anywhere.
Eventually, he was the one beginning to struggle. Kevin tried to wave his arms, to call for help, but Roderick pulled him down. On instinct, he kicked him in the stomach, swimming away from him. He swam back to the buoy, trying to catch his breath. Once he did that, he tried to look for Rod.
He was nowhere to be found. Of course he's not here. I just kicked him when he was trying to drown me! Stupid Rod! Why did I listen to him? Why did he have to go out there alone?
He wasn't coming up. Cold dread began to form in his stomach. D-Did I kill him?
He dove into the water, trying to look for Roderick. It was hard with the salt stinging his eyes, but he eventually found him. He wasn't fighting anymore. He looked... lifeless. He wrapped his arms around him and swam up, beginning to swim parallel to the shore. As he got closer, he began to scream for help.
A group of lifeguards ran over and took Roderick from his arms. He was powerless to do anything now. All he could do was stare as they tried to resuscitate his friend. As they pumped his chest and breathed for him.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." Kevin whispered.