CHAPTER 324

Cori

I took her hand with my left one and she took Melina’s. I’d told them if they couldn’t swim with one arm to come back up and I would take them individually or use the rope as a guide. We’d try together first.

“Don’t panic. There’s one ledge down there and everything else is wide open. Swim up or follow the air bubbles back here if you get turned around.”

We took several deep breaths before going under. I had to do this quickly before they panicked. I used my right hand to feel along the wall. The flashlight gave about one foot of visibility from above. The rest of the way was pitch-black.

The ledge jutted out a foot and was easy to find. If they panicked this would be the time. I gave a heavy jerk to Celina’s hand and pulled her low. I kicked off the rocks and slid completely under the ledge. When Celina was through, I dropped her hand. She came up and then Melina. We did it in one try.

I had a flashlight wrapped in a plastic bag on my waist. I swam to the side, then felt around