Raven Beauty [b**m]

Chapter 9 — In depths of water

Sebastian

The drive towards the lake was quite long. Once I reached a clearing, I drove faster because I couldn't wait anymore and also because I didn't get a call from Molly which meant only one thing—Keira wasn't in the streets of Denver. I switched on my GPS and I was able to only find one road towards the lake.

Millrose Lake.

"Are you sure that she is going to be here? Because if not, we wasted a lot of time!" Tristan said as he looked around the dark forests.

The sun had disappeared from the sky an hour ago and the darkness was invading from all sides. The forest was hauntingly dark and covered in a strong mist. I wasn't able to see anything from my car window but I made it to the lake anyways.

Pulling over, I quickly removed my belt and rushed out of my car as I saw another car by the lake. I was clearly aware of these forests, they were filled with animals and beasts, no one came here for hunting or camping, it was restricted and there was only one secret way in.

"This is Keira's car," I said as I pulled it open. It was switched on and the bright headlights were aiming towards the lake that went all the way up to the mountains. I couldn't even start thinking about how dangerous and deadly this all was. The water inside the lake was freezing.

"Sebastian," Tristan called out. "I got her phone from the car," he gave me the phone and I found twelve missed calls from Molly.

"She's really inside..." he trailed off.

I turned around as my heartbeats fastened. I had never panicked before, not more than today. I took deep and shallow breaths.

"Call the ambulance quickly, I'm going in." I said as I stepped forward and removed my coat.

"No, it's too cold, Sebastian!" Tristan yelled from a distance.

"It's fine, it doesn't seem to deep and I'll be out. Just call the ambulance quickly!" I repeated before removing my shoes.

"It's too dark, you won't be able to see anything," He argued. "Don't go, if she's inside then she must've been dead already. No one can survive such a weather."

"Tristan! Call the ambulance and don't worry. I know I can't see inside but at least I'll know if she's really inside." I said before jumping inside the water. He called out my name a few more times but I dived deeper not caring about the freezing water that touched my skin. I held my breath and looked around. It wasn't too dark yet and the car headlights allowed me to see a bit of the water but it wasn't too much.

An ache burned through my lungs as I struggled to breathe, I wasn't able to hold it for any longer—it had been more than a minute since I was inside. I pushed my self deeper into the oblivion, hoping I would come across something but I didn't, not for a few moments.

And then I found her. Her raven hair brushed the skin of my hand and that's when I knew it was Keira. I grabbed her body as soon as I could, she was cold and unconscious—sleeping with such peace. I admired her face underneath the moon light. As the realization hit me, I pulled her up to the surface and got out myself. I stumbled upon my knees and took a few deep breaths in while Tristan took care of Keira's body.

The warm trickle of the life's essence returned and I was able to get back on my senses. I got up and rushed towards Keira who wasn't breathing.

"She isn't breathing," Tristan said as he moved away. I sat across her and pressed my hands over her chest repeatedly.

"Did you call the ambulance?" I asked.

"There is no service here," Tristan replied.

"f**k," I groaned as I pressed my hands on her chest deeper until she didn't breathe. For a few moments, it didn't work out but then she took a deep breathe. She spilled the water from her lungs but still stayed unconscious. I picked her up from the ground as I saw her chest rise and drop.

"She's breathing but I need to take her to the hospital. Take care of her car and her belongings," I instructed Tristan as I placed Keira inside my own car.

"Are you sure you can drive?" Tristan grabbed my arm and asked.

"Of course, I'm fine. I have to go," I said before entering my car and driving away from the lake. Keira's body hung loose and her head dropped on my lap. I drove as fast as I could to the nearest hospital that was 5 minutes away from the forest.

I stopped by the emergency station and the nurses were able to take Keira in the hospital. Once she was inside, I puffed out a sigh of relief and stumbled back in my car.

I texted Tristan the address of the hospital and he appeared there in no time along with Keira's car and belongings.

"How is she? Is she alright?" Tristan asked with worry.

"She's fine, still unconscious, they have put her an oxygen mask until her breathing pattern doesn't returns to normal. But it's okay, she's fine." I repeated.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I just need to change," I said as I looked down at my wet clothes. If I didn't change then I would be the one getting sick.

"Could you get my phone? I'll call up Brianna to get me clothes," I said.

Tristan ran back to my car and got my phone. He handed it over to me and I texted Brianna to get me clothes as soon as she could. When she came, I quickly changed and got out.

I sat by Tristan inside the hospital and waited for the doctors to come out with the final word.

"That was really brave of you, and terrifying." Tristan said as he placed his hand on my shoulder. I nodded my head, agreeing that it was all terrifying. Being in water terrified every single man, regardless of how old they were.

Drowning was worse and I wasn't able to understand how Keira was able to handle that. She was unconscious, inside the water for I don't know how long. If I didn't come or anyone else then she would've died.

The doctors returned back to me soon. "She's conscious now but she's confused. You both can see her," He said.

"Thank you," I said with a smile. I hadn't been to a hospital in decades. The last time I came to a hospital was when my father died — and that was all. Being in a hospital after so long traumatized me.

Opening the door to Keira's ward, I stepped inside and looked at her. The golden lights were switched on and her eyes were almost shut until I didn't walk in. The color on her face was all gone, she was pale and slightly blue.

A small gasp escaped her throat as she saw me. She sat up straight immediately, a bit confused and worried.

"Mr. Russell,"

"How are you?" I asked as I stood in front of her.

"I'm fine," she replied. "But what are you doing here? I'm sorry, I don't remember what happened?" she asked me.

"You drowned yourself and I got you out of the water and bought you here," I explained. Terror rushed up to her face. She didn't want to know anyone about that.

"How do you—wait, who told you?" She stuttered.

"I have my connections, Keira."

"Please, don't tell anyone."

"What were you doing inside the lake?" I asked, ignoring her blabbering. Of course I wasn't going to tell anyone except for the mental health authorities and a few other therapists.

"I was—practicing...breathing."

"I know you are lying, I can see that, Keira." I stated.

She gulped and looked down to her fingers. "It's okay, you can tell me."

"I just like the water..." she trailed off.

I knew she wasn't going to tell the truth. Someone wouldn't drown themselves and their worries away whenever they needed to. Keira's problems had a past behind it all and I couldn't wait to dig deeper into what she was hiding from me. It must be something terribly tragic that led her to this all.

"Get well soon then, your friend is on her way. I'll see later," I said as I turned around to leave.

"You're leaving?" She asked, forcing me to stop on my way.

"Yes, take your time, rest and this time, I actually mean it. Don't come until you feel better," I stated and she nodded her head.

"Thank you,"

I walked away simply and left for my house. A whole night passed by, I had wasted too much of my precious time on something I shouldn't have. During the whole ride back home, I glared at myself confusingly.

Why was I turning into someone I wasn't? Keira was every other type of girl. There was nothing special in her—or so I thought.