Shipwreck Part Two

We sputtered and coughed, struggling to keep our heads above the waves of dread. I could feel my spirit begin to let go, accepting the inevitable loss of all we'd had.

"Here, grab this!" he called, pushing a small object toward me.

"I can't..." I gasped, already feeling the peace of surrender. "It's... too much for me... save yourself..."

He held tightly to that remaining hope, threw his other arm around my shoulders, and pulled me into his embrace. "I won't let you give up," he declared, pulling me closer. "If one of us goes under, the other will too..."