The boys were still laughing as they clung to the far bank, their fingers gripping slick stones, their hair plastered to their foreheads, breaths coming in quick, uneven bursts. The river sparkled under the slanting rays of the afternoon sun, casting a shifting web of light across their flushed faces. Its ripples had calmed now, their earlier splashing reduced to the occasional swirl lapping gently at the muddy shore.
Jean wiped his face with one dripping hand and shook his head, sending droplets flying. "You may have won this time, Shawn," he said between breaths, "but don't forget—we still have to get back across."
Shawn smirked, chest rising and falling with pride and exertion. "I'll win again," he said, puffing out his chest. "Then you'll really have no excuse left."
Jean narrowed his eyes and grinned, his voice teasing but laced with challenge. "Fine. Let's make it official. Whoever wins on the way back… the loser does everything. Both bags, the 'worst swimmer in history' admission—and the winner gets to brag until the end of time."
"Deal," Shawn said instantly, eyes flashing with mischief. He pushed himself away from the muddy riverbank and let himself float into the cool embrace of the water once more. "On your mark."
Jean rolled his eyes but followed suit, wading in until the water lifted him from his toes. "You're too eager for someone who's about to eat my dust."
They counted together, voices echoing across the quiet river valley, their laughter still lingering in the air.
"One."
"Two."
"Three!"
And then they were off again. Their arms cut through the water in practiced strokes, muscles burning with effort. Each kick propelled them forward, twin wakes slicing across the surface. Shawn surged ahead, driven by pride, determination, and the thrill of the competition. Jean was right there beside him, matching his pace, pushing harder than before.
The water roared in Shawn's ears, the sound of it surrounding him, drowning out everything else. The current pressed gently against his body, cool and smooth, like a living thing guiding him forward. Every breath felt earned, every stroke a challenge accepted. The river felt vast and endless, a shimmering ribbon under the sun, carrying with it the echoes of their joy.
But then… something changed.
Shawn's foot brushed against something soft. He instinctively curled his toes, expecting the drag of riverweed or the bump of a submerged branch. But this felt different—slick, almost… alive. The moment stretched strangely, his senses sharpening just as something cold and squishy coiled around his ankle.
He froze for half a second. Then panic kicked in.
He thrashed hard, instinct taking over. The thing around his leg tightened like a fist, its grip unrelenting.
"What the—?" The words came out garbled, bubbling to the surface as he flailed. His heart slammed against his ribs. "Jean! Jean, something's got me!"
Jean was a few strokes ahead, his breath coming in steady bursts. He turned with a smirk. "Nice try, Shawn. I'm not falling for that. Just admit you're trying to slow me down."
"No! I'm serious!" Shawn shouted, voice high and strained. Water filled his mouth as he sank slightly, coughing as he broke the surface again. His limbs flailed wildly. "Jean! Help me!"
Jean's smile faltered. Something in Shawn's voice—raw fear, not mockery—hit like a slap. He slowed, turning fully just in time to see Shawn's hand slap at the surface, reaching out, his mouth half-submerged. His head jerked back above the water with effort, coughing, eyes wide with terror.
Jean's breath caught. A cold knot twisted in his stomach.
"Shawn!"
Without thinking, he dove. The surface broke over his head, muting the world above, and a deep, unnatural silence wrapped around him. The current brushed past like whispers. His eyes, stinging from the water, searched the cloudy depths.
And then he saw it.
A massive, writhing tentacle, dark and slick, was coiled tightly around Shawn's legs. It flexed and pulsed like it had a heartbeat of its own, its rubbery skin shimmering faintly even in the gloom. It looked… wrong.
Jean swam hard, bubbles trailing behind him. He reached Shawn in seconds, hands clawing at the thing's surface. It was slippery and firm, unyielding. His fingers slid uselessly over its flesh. He slammed his fist into it, once, twice, but it didn't even flinch. If anything, it pulled tighter.
Shawn's face twisted in pain, a cloud of bubbles escaping from his nose and mouth. His wide eyes locked on Jean's, full of silent terror.
Think, Jean. Do something!
Jean's hand shot to the chain around his neck, fingers fumbling for the metal charm that hung there. It was small, dull silver, with pointed edges—more sentimental than useful. But right now, it was all he had.
He yanked it free and clutched it in his fist, driving it down with all his strength into the tentacle's flesh.
This time, the creature shuddered. A violent ripple passed through it. Where the charm struck, a thick cloud of something dark burst into the water. The grip loosened slightly. Shawn's eyes widened as he felt the pressure lessen. He gasped, bubbles flooding from his lips.
But Jean didn't get a second chance.
Another tentacle—larger and faster—whipped out from the darkness below. It didn't wrap around him. It struck him.
The blow slammed into his chest like a battering ram, knocking every ounce of air from his lungs. His body folded from the force, pain exploding through his ribs and shoulders. For a moment, he didn't know which way was up, the river spinning around him in a blur of green and black.
Then, suddenly, he was airborne.
The impact had flung him upward, breaking through the surface in a burst of spray. He hit the riverbank moments later, skidding through the mud and grass. The world blurred. Jean coughed, choking, dragging in broken breaths as he lay on his side, trembling.
Everything hurt. His chest, his arms—everything.
He tried to sit up, but the world swayed. His eyes, half-lidded, found the river again.
Shawn's hand was still above the surface. Just one arm now. Reaching. Fingers spread wide. Clawing.
Desperate.
And then Jean's world went black.