Chapter 2 - BENEATH THE WATER.
Cold water swallowed Elena.
Her navy maid uniform ballooned around her as she kicked downward through clouds of bubbles.
Below her, the stroller continued sinking.
The infant’s white onesie flashed beneath the blue pool lights.
Elena drove herself deeper.
Her lungs already burned.
She reached the stroller.
The baby was trapped against the submerged seat, tiny arms moving weakly through the water.
Elena seized him beneath the shoulders.
The stroller shifted.
For one terrifying second, the blanket strap caught.
Elena pulled harder.
It slipped free.
She pressed the infant against her chest and kicked upward.
Above them, the surface shimmered like glass.
Her legs felt heavy inside the soaked uniform.
Still she climbed.
The baby moved faintly against her.
Elena’s face tightened with panic.
She kicked one final time.
Her head broke the surface.
She dragged in a ragged breath and lifted the infant above the water.
The baby coughed.
Then cried.
Elena sobbed from relief.
She reached the pool edge with one arm.
Her wet fingers slipped once against the stone.
Then caught.
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She pushed the baby onto the deck first.
Only after he was safely above water did Elena drag herself out beside him.
