Chapter 11 - Breaking the Anchor
Clack.
The sound vibrated intensely through the water. The heavy steel bolt shifted a fraction of a millimeter.
Daniel’s lungs were on fire, his chest convulsing as his body demanded oxygen that wasn't there. Aunt Elena was faring worse; her eyes were fluttering, and a stream of bubbles escaped her mouth as she began to drown.
One more time! Daniel pushed through the agonizing pain, refusing to let go of the bar.
They hauled backward with explosive force.
CRACK!
The sound was deafening underwater. The rusted, weakened steel bolt completely sheared off from the concrete base. The heavy iron chain, still securely padlocked to Valeria's ankle, whipped free from the statue.
They had broken the anchor.
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Daniel instantly dropped the crowbar. He grabbed Aunt Elena by the collar of her dress and shoved her violently upward, propelling the exhausted older woman toward the surface.
Then he spun around, grabbing Valeria. He wrapped his arm tightly around her chest, securing the heavy chain against his own body so it wouldn't drag her back down, and kicked upward with the very last ounce of strength in his burning legs.
