"Hold on, I'm coming for you!"
Bruno yelled out.
The river's current was strong, making it difficult even for him, but his strokes were powerful, so he pushed through, his eyes never leaving her.
He could feel his heart pounding harder and harder with fear. He had never felt so much fear, never had someone so dear to him that he panicked at the thought of losing them—let alone watching them die right in front of him.
Beauty started coughing and sank into the river.
"Beauty!"
Bruno yelled so loudly that his veins created a visible network across his forehead and neck, his eyes red with shock and despair.
The river's flow had dragged Beauty under, only for her to resurface, coughing and choking, her eyes red from the struggle. Her breaths came in frantic gasps, her arms flailing.
She burst into tears.
Bruno, who had frozen after she went under, snapped out of it and pushed himself to swim faster this time.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw her disappear beneath the surface again, with only her fingertips visible.
He was close—so close... close enough.
He quickly stretched out his arm, straining to reach her.
Finally, his fingers brushed hers, and with all his strength, he grasped her hand firmly, pulling her up.
Beauty clung to him, her body trembling like a frightened child, her eyes wide with terror as she coughed and sobbed at the same time.
"I got you," Bruno murmured, holding her close. "I'm here. It's okay."
He closed his eyes, feeling deep relief inside him. He was proud, even a bit emotional, for managing to save her in time.
He rubbed her back soothingly as she coughed up river water, her cries quieting as she clung to him tightly.
Her body continued to tremble violently as she wrapped her arms around him, her breathing shallow and panicked. And her lips quivered, as her tears mingled with the river water on her face.
Beauty finally looked up at him, her expression filled with both terror and trust, as if he were her only lifeline.
"It's okay... I'm here. I won't let go," Bruno murmured, his voice soft as he held her close.
He started swimming toward the narrow part of the river, his strong strokes pushing the two of them forward.
"It's okay, you are safe now," he kept whispering.
Beauty kept coughing, tears of panic rolling down her face as she caught her breath, her arms wrapped tightly around him.
Bruno continued swimming out of the deep part of the river while Beauty's arms stayed locked around his neck, her face pressed to his chest, and he could feel her heart pounding with fear and panic.
He didn't dare let go, determined to protect her no matter what.
When they finally reached the shore, Bruno gazed down at Beauty. She still clung to him, still shaking, her face still buried against him.
She is so fragile and also scared to death.
"You okay?" he asked, desperately worried as he brushed her wet hair off her face, studying her to see if there was anything else wrong.
"I... I thought I was going to... d... d... die," she whispered between shaky breaths, looking around in horror.
"You're safe now, okay...? Take deep breaths."
He whispered softly and brushed a hand through her damp hair again and glanced toward the river.
"That river is pretty deep."
He muttered.
Beauty looked up at him, and at the same time, he turned his head and met her gaze, a mixture of gratitude, vulnerability, and pain in her eyes.
Still shivering, dripping wet, her body pressed against his. She was close—so close he could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin, her heartbeat syncing with his own.
"Tha... Thank you..."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"You don't have to thank me; I did what anyone with good swimming skills would do," he murmured, swallowing tightly and avoiding her eyes suddenly.
Beauty's eyes remained locked on his face. She could tell he was returning to his stranger, keeping the distant role.
Her lips parted slightly to say something to him, but she hesitated.
His gaze dropped to her lips, and his heartbeat thundered in his ears.
Beauty fought back her fear and decided to say something.
"Bruno... I..."