True Love Waits

Chapter 433 Thank You For Being Alive

Carlos only gave her a long look. When the killer whale swam towards them, Debbie was so frightened she clutched Carlos tightly. "Run! Run!" she screamed, scrunching her eyes closed, too spooked to open them.

She heard water thrashing behind her, but soon it was quiet.

"Open your eyes," Carlos coaxed her.

When everything was quiet, Debbie's fear fled. She opened her eyes slowly. Her jaw dropped when she caught sight of what was right in front of her.

Carlos was stroking the killer whale's head!

"Are... are you crazy? I-l-it's going to eat you!" Fear filled her. She clung to his arm even tighter.

Since they boarded the boat, they'd been through a lot. Her day was filled with moments of terror and danger. She wondered if she would die from a heart attack soon.

For example, right now, her heart was pounding like it would burst through her chest, and she couldn't feel her legs.

Carlos, however, didn't seem scared at all.

Noticing the incredulity on her face, he explained, "About the only people these guys attack are their keepers. They like people."

As if to prove what he had said, the killer whale moved its huge body towards Debbie and butted its head against her playfully.

"Ugh! Help!" she cried. Suddenly, she wanted to be home. She really missed a bunch of people: Piggy, Curtis, Colleen, Kasie, Decker, even her mom. "Boo...hoo..."

Carlos smiled. He gave her a pat on the back and said, "It likes you."

'What?' Debbie stared at Carlos in shock. Cautiously, she looked back. The killer whale seemed to be smiling at her.

her look at it, the killer whale swam out farther, jumping out of the water and slapping its tail against the surface. Just when Debbie thought it was leaving,

heartbeat steadied. "The

to it,"

fear was gone. Even though she couldn't see the whale anymore, Debbie waved

killer whale came swimming back. It finally surfaced only a couple feet in front of

chest, feeling embarrassed that

the killer whale's. Then he asked Debbie to do it

the whale's big head. She didn't press her

feels smooth and cold.' Smiling, she gave the big

teeth. Debbie let it go in a hurry, screaming and retreating into Carlos'

which had

too jumpy. Relax," Carlos

the killer whale started to push them towards

doing?" she

Carlos shook his head.

about 4 feet of water, the whale broke off and made for deeper waters. Then when it came back, the killer whale rubbed its head against Carlos' shin, and circled around

forgot you were hurt. We were in the water a long

the deserted island

"How did it happen?"

so fast I didn't

stood up. "No disinfectant, no bandages. I guess

"That's okay," Carlos said.

vast ocean. "I don't want to swim ever again," she said. She had stayed in the water longer than she ever had. In fact, she wondered if she'd spent more time in the water than her entire life combined. When

he could feel the depth of emotion in Debbie's soul. He took her into his arms and

for being alive. Thank you for

than tinder, but they kissed