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“Gripp,” she called weakly. He was really getting ahead of her now, and she couldn’t keep up. As she tried to cry out again, her worst fear came true as water rushed into her lungs. April coughed, feeling her arms fail as her body contorted under the pain of swallowing so much water. As she tried to wave to get Gripp’s attention, she saw a strip of green that could only be the island. I’m so close! April thrashed wildly, trying to cough the water out of her lungs and swim at the same time. She realized that she was floundering in the shallows, not ten feet from the beach. I’m not drowning this close to shore! April threw all her effort into a final charge. She kicked with her legs, trying to gain an inch against death. A wave lifted her from behind, making her heart soar with hope as
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