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!"