Sacrificed to the Flood

Out on a holiday with my boyfriend, Jack, and my good friend, Eva, a catastrophe occurred. As the floods came, we waited for the rescue helicopter to come.

As I fastened the safety rope, I noticed that my metal safety clip had been swapped for a plastic ring.

Climbing up the rope ladder, Jack said nonchalantly, "Eva's luggage is heavy. She needs another safety clip, so I gave her yours. You can wait for the next rescue."

I replied in a panic, pointing at the water level already past my chest, "But I can't swim!"

Jack replied irritatedly, "Naomi, stop causing a scene! You're a strong swimmer, what's a little time in the water? Eva is my boss's relative. If something happens to her, my promotion is gone. Why can't you understand that?"

"Which matters more? My life or her luggage?" I reached for the rope ladder when he kicked my hand away.

"I've studied the waters. The flood won't rise so quickly. It will at most be at the level of your neck. You won't die!"

I said nothing further. Watching the floods rise crazily, I quickly pressed my family's special alarm on my wrist.

"Didn't you say you couldn't swim? Why are you still toying around with that stupid thing?"

I told Jack Lewis about it before, but he refused to believe me. He still thought that I was lying to him.

I ignored him and pressed the emergency alarm.

The muddy waters were already past my chest. I could barely stand straight. Every wave brought dirt and other objects, causing me to slip.

Jack was already a third of the way up on the rope ladder. He carried a huge waterproof suitcase while shielding Eva Sanders in front of him, climbing up with difficulty.

Fastened upon Eva were two metal safety clips, glinting shinily.

"Jack, give me the safety clip back!" I raised my head and yelled, my voice hoarse and drowned out by the thunder of the helicopter blades.

Jack looked at me impatiently. "Naomi, enough! I've already told you that I'll come back for you on the next trip! Why are you being so unreasonable?"

Eva popped her head out and said sweetly, "Naomi, surely you don't mind? Remember how brave you were when you rescued Jack back then? Let us witness that brilliance again today."

A pang of guilt flashed across Jack's face at the mention of the past, but before he could say anything, Eva continued, "Jack has been promoted. Since you, Naomi, are still so out of touch with the world, the burden falls on me.

"In the trunk are all the gifts for Jack's colleagues. A promotion is a huge thing. He has to share his achievements with his colleagues. Am I right, Jack?"

"What a caring person you are," Jack said dotingly, his guilt long gone.

He added, "Naomi, Eva's right. We have to bring the gifts back. As a punishment, you'll have to wait here for us."

"Jack, it's not that I don't want to wait. The flood is coming soon, "I tried to explain, but Eva interjected.

"There aren't only gifts for the colleagues in the suitcase. There are also gifts for you. Don't complain if it gets wet."

Then, she deliberately shook the suitcase, 'accidentally' letting the waterproof bag with my documents and phone slip out, falling into the water down below.

"My belongings!" I yelped.

I tried to grab it, but a wave hit me in the face, forcing me to retreat while I accidentally choked on some water.

"Oh, no!" Eva yelled out exaggeratedly while winking at me.

"Naomi, my hand accidentally slipped. You won't blame me, right? You're such a good swimmer. Perhaps, you could even get it back."

I was coughing my lungs out, yet I glared at her.

Jack furrowed his brows. "It's just a stupid bag. What matters the most is you're safe. You should quickly find higher ground to wait for us. Don't cause us more trouble!"

I was so furious I chuckled. The muddy water was already up to my chin. I had to tiptoe to be able to breathe, yet I was the one causing trouble?

"Jack, I beg you. Pull me up! I can't hold on much longer!"

I had been in the cold waters the entire night. I was exhausted. If it were not for my strong will to leave, I would have given up a long time ago.

However, Jack was blaming me for causing a scene.

"Naomi, stop pretending. You were still swimming well the last time you rescued me. Stop pretending to be weak. Who are you putting on a show for? The water's just at your neck. You can just swim! Don't play the victim!"

Eva sneezed, and Jack instantly pulled her into his arms.