Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Chapter 62

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After around twenty minutes of driving. Mike pulled into a secluded cove and stopped the boat in a shaded area. Josh got out a long rope and tied it to one the boat. All five guys immediately pulled off their shirts and sandals and got into the water from the back of the boat. Josh came around to the side, and I tossed The rope to him, and he made his way to the shore, securing his end to a large rock so the boat wouldn't drift too far. The water was deep, but the guys were all tall enough that the water stopped partway up their abbs, leaving their chest and shoulders in all their tanned glory above the water. Wow, I thought as I watched them. how did I get so lucky to five guys who were kind and caring, and so d** in the water. I removed my coverup, folded it, and set it in my bag. Then, grabbing a towel, I set it in the sun so it would warm while I was swimming, Walking to the back of the boat, I saw a ladder that led into the water and decided to use that instead of trying to jump in. The second my toes hit the water, I hissed and contemplated my decision; while not as cold as the pool I by the waterfall, it was nowhere near what I would call warm. I stopped, hoping I could adpt to the water, but all I felt was the cold water sending goosebumps up my legs. It felt like it was hard to catch my breath, The guys were all encouraging me to come in, and when I stopped the second time, still holding onto the ladder, Patrick swam forward, wrapping a chilly arm around me. I shrieked at the sudden temperature change as he pulled me the rest of the way in. I turned, clinging to his neck like a monkey. "Bnt, it's too cold, so cold." I shuddered, I had managed to work my way around Patrick's back and began inching my way higher, trying to keep as much of my body out of the water as possible. Jake swam over to me, trying to coax me off of Patrick's back, but I refused to move, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding on for dear life. y in and start swimming,

Jake looked at the others, shrugging his shoulders." Sweetheart, I know you have been looking forward to this all day. If you get all the way you will warm up. He tried again.

I shook my head, burying my face against Patrick's back. "It's too cold, and I will never warm up. The cold's always dark. Dark and cold, and never warm." I knew I probably wasn't making a lot of sense. The sudden shock of cold water had sent me into the start of a flashback, and I was fighting tooth and nail to stay ahead of it, trying to comince myself that this was the lake, not my father's dark, damp basement. Im cold, but safe, I'm safe, I'm safe," lake moved his hand off my I heard what I was saying back when *Jake,

"Drew, go back to the boat and grab a towel, Jake said in a calm voice, Drew looked at lake confused but started for the boat.

whats going on? Mike asked as he and josh started moving closer

it happened, Jake answered. Drew had made it back

Em

put this towel across your back so

worry, balry, I won't let you get any wetter." I felt his hands on me, and fosh pulled me off Patrick's back.

while he was quietly talking to me reassuring me I was safe while he waited I for the boat to t to come closer. Drew had untied the boat and moved it closer to us so they could get me aboard, Drew lifted me onto the boat and sat down with me in his lap, tucking the towel more securely amund me. "Angel, I need you to look at me," Drew said. Come on, Eminy, I need to see those beautiful eyes, I looked at him, but it felt like I was watching a movie. It was one of the strangest feelings I had ever experienced. There's my pretty girl," he mure, kissing my forehead. Now, I need you to talk to me, angel; it might be hard,

you get better physically and **lly, we will be here for you. Josh's tone of voice was so caring and assertive,

Good

nowe tell me something you can

"Angel, you were having a Hashback. During the training, the military put me through to become a medic, I was taught several ways to help people out of PTSD Bachbacks, and

something you feel. Dre reminded

thought for a minute; there were a lot of things I could feel. Drew ran his hand up my arm to get my attention, and I looked back at him, as memories of the cold basement continued to

the tears when my eyes stung, but it was pointless. By this time, the rest of the guys had gotten aboard, and Mike was back in the driver's seat. I felt the bench shift beside us, and a hand brushed against my cheek. I turned my head and saw Patrick sitting net to

off his lap, and I unsteadily climbed onto Patrick's, who gathered me in his arms. Rocking gently back and forth, he continued to whisper apologies until I cupped

not your fault, I assured him, running my thumb across his cheek. "I was having a flashback; it was nothing you did.

the water." Patrick continued. I pressed a finger to