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she pulled them deeper, under the gate. Arthur saw light play-
ing above them and tried to steer her up, but she swam harder,
still going deeper, turning them and pulling herself along the
mussel-covered rock foundation of the building.
When Arthur thought his lungs would burst, Minnie abruptly
changed course, pushing straight up and gasping for breath along
with him. She immediately guided his hands to the foundation of
the building.
He clung to it, filled with fear and relief and also a deep shame.
He hadn’t protected Cora and Minnie at all. He’d nearly gotten
them killed. And Minnie had been the one to save his life.
“Everyone okay?” Minnie said, breathing hard.
“Yes,” Cora answered. She was next to Thomas and Charles.
Charles was shivering violently in the cold water, his lips blue. The
sun was nearly down, and the waves slammed them mercilessly
against the foundation.
Arthur looked up to see the flames eating through the wood
on this side of the building.
Minnie followed his gaze. “It doesn’t matter if he’s waiting or
not — we have to get away from this building. I’ll swim ahead and
check.”
“Wait, you can’t —” Arthur started, but she had already dis-
appeared under the water. Every second was agony until she
popped back up again, on the far side of the boathouse.
“Come on! I don’t see him anywhere. You can go along the
side of the building, and then it’s only a few feet to the pier.”
Thomas guided Charles, helping him along, followed by Cora.
Minnie swam back to Arthur, clinging to the side next to him and
going slowly. Arthur noticed dark, wet smears where her hands
had touched.
