thing. Charles nodded, and then, Thomas’s arm around his waist,
they dove into the water.
“Come on!” Minnie said, jumping off by the gate and treading
water, waiting. Cora dove straight down, and before Arthur could
call out she was under the gate and out of the boathouse. Minnie
followed.
Arthur was alone in the burning building.
And he could not swim.
He climbed on top of a crate, choking on the smoke, and
pulled desperately at the long, narrow window. It was sealed shut.
The flames found another barrel and, with a noise that left his
ears deafened, exploded. The force of it sent Arthur off the box
and straight into the water.
He choked, flailing, trying to force his head above water. Fire
and smoke and water each pulled at his senses, disorienting him.
After only a few seconds his head went under and he knew he
wouldn’t get it up again.
A hand grabbed his, tugging him. His head broke the surface,
and he found Minnie next to him. “Hold on to my shoulders and
kick your legs. I won’t let you drown.”
Arthur shook his head, more terrified of the cold depths than
he was of the licking flames.
“Arthur,” Minnie said, demanding that his eyes focus only on
her. “I will not let you go. Take a deep breath, and then we’re
swimming out of here.”
He nodded. She turned around and let him put his hands on
her shoulders. He squeezed her, too tightly, and took as deep a
breath as he could in the smoke-choked air.
And then they were in the freezing dark of the ocean water.
He kicked erratically, smashing his knees into Minnie’s legs, but