Chapter 161: Shore

Jack jumped over the sand dunes and rushed down to the shore. "Lexi!" He called over the crash of the ocean waves.

"It's Mom! Please hurry!" She yelled back.

Jack hit the hard-packed sand at a sprint. His rifle rattled as it jostled against his back. The tactical gear slowed his pace. He pushed harder until he finally reached the edge of the water.

"Dad!" Lexi pulled Alex along until she tripped and fell at his feet. "Something's wrong with her."

Jack swung an arm around Lexi quickly before she fell, too. "It's okay, muffin. She's just cold. We'll get her all fixed up." Jack dipped down and scooped Alex up in his arms. Her light body hung limply against his chest. Lexi unclipped the floatation seat from her front then hauled Alex's bag up over her shoulder.

"Are we going all the way to the base?" Lexi asked as they turned up the beach.