Zelda reacted instantly, stripping off her jacket and wrapping it around him. "Ryan, are you okay? Did the cold water give you a chill?"

"Nah, I'm not that weak," he sniffled. "Don't fuss. Edwin is watching."

"So what?" She shrugged. "You're his buddy. It's only right that I look out for you. Yet he has to make a big deal out of who goes first."

Her words dripped with accusation, aimed squarely at me. But she didn't know the truth: I could not swim anymore, not after that rescue.

That day, she'd stubbornly ventured into deep water and gotten caught in a rip current. No one else dared go in; I plunged ahead without a second thought, pushing her inch by inch toward the shore.

I finally got her to safety, but in that last desperate moment, the undertow slammed my calf into a jagged rock, tearing the ligament instantly. Agonizing pain overwhelmed me, and I sank helplessly.

If the shore lifeguards hadn't spotted me in time, I'd have drowned. The doctors confirmed permanent damage to my leg muscles and nerves. From then on, I could never swim intensely again.

"I'm not lying!" I roared with every ounce of strength, my voice cracking. "When I saved you, my leg got wrecked on that rock! I can't swim anymore!"

Seeing my ashen face, Zelda sensed something was wrong and started to extend a hand.

But Ryan feigned shock, covering his mouth. "Whoa, your leg's injured? I had no clue. When I picked you up from the hospital, the doctor said it was just a sprain. Rest up, and you'd be as good as new. You even joked that thanks to Zelda, you got to play hero and brag about it forever."

Zelda retracted her hand swiftly. "Edwin, keep spinning tales. Leg wrecked? Can't swim? You'll say anything to get rescued first."

"Don't blame him. He's your boyfriend, after all," Ryan interjected sympathetically. "Seeing you save me first must sting. It's my fault, really. If I hadn't loaded up on these gifts for you, he wouldn't have to wait."

He wrapped himself around her, pulling her even closer.

She patted his back reassuringly and turned to berate me. "You heard that? Edwin, I misjudged you. Ryan is more mature. Why can't you learn from him? Stop the nonsense; it's exhausting."

Realizing her tone was harsh, she softened slightly. "You know, I'm doing this for our future. Nail this promotion, and I can get you anything. Just wait a bit. I've studied the water levels; it won't rise quickly. I'll make it up to you later, I promise."

On the verge of collapse, I clung to a floating chunk of broken eave, inching desperately toward the ladder.

The icy rungs were within reach; my fingertips almost brushed them. But Ryan slipped deliberately, stomping hard on the back of my hand.

Searing pain shot through me. I yelped as the force yanked me backward, plunging me fully underwater.

"Oops, didn't see you there," he called out. "You okay? Quit fooling around, or Zelda will really worry."

I flailed wildly in the murky depths while Zelda and Ryan watched like spectators at a twisted performance.

Survival instincts surged; I thrashed with every limb, grabbing the lifesaving eave just before the current swept me away. Gasping as I surfaced, laughter echoed from above.

"Told you," Ryan chuckled. "He can swim. He just loves joking around."

Relief washed over Zelda. "Alright, Edwin, I get you're a jokester, but now's not the time. Ryan and I are heading up first."

They continued to climb up, and the ladder drifted farther from my grasp.

"Wait! I'm still down here!" I screamed with my last reserves of strength.

Ryan glanced back, spotting me on the eave, and malice flashed in his eyes. Swaying on the ladder, he deliberately dislodged a loose tile from a nearby roof.

The shard, heavy with mud and water, hurtled toward my face. I dodged sharply, but it grazed my ear, slicing a bloody gash.

The evasion cost me my grip, and the flood pulled me under again. Burning pain radiated from my earlobe as filthy water flooded my nose and scorched my lungs.

Desperation overpowered everything; my flailing arms latched onto a protruding eave corner in the nick of time.

My nails splintered, and my flesh tore. I ignored it, resurfacing to gulp air. Blood streamed down my cheek, mingling with the turbid water.

Up above, Zelda noticed the blood and hesitated. "Something isn't right down there."

"I-I'm feeling dizzy. My limbs are numb," Ryan whimpered, going limp against her and rocking the ladder.

Her head jerked back, and she steadied him while murmuring comforts. "Hang on. Don't panic. We're almost there."

She spared me another reluctant glance. Meanwhile, Ryan shot me a smug grin. "Man, you're a hell of an actor—even faking blood. Almost had me fooled. But this prank's over the top. Have to face the music for scaring Zelda."

Zelda's concern vanished. "Leave him be. He's tough as nails, full of energy to act. How else could he snag that eave so fast? Let's get you up first."

She averted her gaze, gripping Ryan's arm tighter.

Despair crashed over me as the water lapped my chin, inching toward my nose. I stretched desperately for the ladder's edge and pleaded, "Please, take me along. At least to shallower water. Have the chopper fly slowly, and I'll cling to the ladder. Anything!"

I tugged lightly, but Ryan yelped, clutching Zelda's waist. "Stop shaking it! We'll never make it. Don't misunderstand, bro. I'm not hugging her on purpose. I'm just terrified; this ladder's so unstable."

Zelda steadied him, then roared down at me. "Edwin, are you insane? Trying to kill your best bud? If Ryan gets hurt, Mr. Rice will never forgive me!"