Chapter 152 - Light Of Hope And Kisses Of Desperation

It's getting darker and darker, colder and colder, in each passing moment – in that middle of nowhere, Winter remains stuck in the line between life and death.

She's frozen all over, unable to move a limb or even open up her eyes, and she doesn't know how long this'll keep on going. It's petrifying. But even though she fears that this may be the end for her, she continues to hold onto that tiny glimmer of hope that comes along with all the precious memories that started flashing inside her head – memories of her friends, her colleagues, her elder brother, and her most beloved.

'Life flashes before one's eyes moments before death arrives – is this what it means…?' she thought at first but realized that the flashbacks she was having right now were different from those she had when she died back at her previous timeline.

'No. I'm not going to die. Not when all these memories are telling me to live on.'

Compared to that time when she was buried alive, she had no such flashbacks. All she remembered back then was her miseries, regrets, and losses. Her last remaining minutes were spent on self-pity and self-loathing.. Now, though, the memories that have come rushing through her are filled with joy, happiness, and love –

Memories of Ace, Courtney, Maxine, and Xander while they're having a picnic together.

Memories of Violet and George when they're discussing business.

Memories of August's antics and outbursts as his overprotectiveness took over.

And memories of Marcellus's smiles, laughter, hugs, and kisses.

Even though she didn't expect that she'd get to experience all of that, she knew she worked hard for them – knew that she deserved them and that she was worth it. She had committed tons of mistakes, had regretted the consequences, had suffered for a long time, had learned from her experiences, and had lived on once more. Then, she found out how to love herself and accept her flaws, which soon attracted others to do the same. 

It's a life worth fighting for – not dying for.

So, Winter steels her resolve. 

'I will not perish.'

---

"Freakin' damn it! Is this hell or something?! It's so dark down here!" August exclaimed.

"I'm pretty sure hell's on fire – not filled with water," Marcellus pointed out.

And they dive back again.

It's already been a few minutes since Winter fell into the ocean. Though they had instantly come to rescue, the search was gruelingly difficult, especially because of the lack of light. Even then, they're doing everything they can to look for her. Marcellus is onto the left part while August is onto the right side. By splitting up, they can increase the pace of their search.

They keep diving down to scan the water below before rising back up to the surface to catch their breaths then doing the cycle all over again - but even now, it is to no avail. 

"Shit, this is getting us nowhere…" Marcellus hissed underneath his breath, looking up to their lone source of light which was coming from one of the top floors of the cruise ship where the banquet hall was located.

"If only the lower floors were lit up, too-" 

Then, as if his wish has been heard, the whole cruise ship suddenly lights up, much to his and August's surprise. It's so bright that it's more than enough to provide them illumination. Confused, they lift their heads up. That's when they catch sight of a couple of people waving down at them all the way from the main deck. 

"Go on, you two! We've got it handled here! Back-ups have arrived!" Violet shouted.

"The heck you're still looking at?! Go back there and look for her!" George bolted out.   

And they did. 

As much as they want to express their gratitude, they cannot afford to waste any more time. Every second counts. Thanking everyone who came to help would have to wait.

With the lights finally on, Marcellus soon finds something shiny floating on the water. 

"Huh? This is…?" he breathed out, realizing that it's the necklace that he gave Winter as his graduation gift to her.

"Is she around here?"

It's nothing short of a miracle that he's able to see as small as this accessory in this vast expanse. 

He held it tightly in his hand as he swam back down again. Getting a strong feeling that Winter is somewhere near there, he goes as deep as the light can go. He dives further and further away from the surface, and to his relief, he finds her at long last.

'Winter!'

Aghast shock and agonizing dread fill Marcellus as soon as he finds her floating that deep into the water. Winter has gotten so pale that she looks dead and lifeless – like a corpse.       

Though he's swimming at a steady yet rapid pace in order to make it to her on time, his insides keep churning in anguish and horror. He feels like he'll never recover from this. The sight will haunt him for many nights to come as he feels like he just died right then.

'Winter… I'm coming, Winter…' were the words that kept repeating inside his head, wanting to keep his focus on saving her instead of his emotions.

It took a little while more for Marcellus to race all the way to that depth. Now, he has finally reached Winter, and without sparing another second, he wraps his arms around her and starts swimming back to the surface as fast as he can.

"Pwah!!!" 

He gasped out loud the moment he made it, catching August's attention. With an astonished look, he rushes over to them and calls out to him, "You got her?!"

"Yes! But we have to get out of here! Fast! She's not breathing!"

That throws August into a panic. Fortunately, an entrance back to the cruise ship has already been prepared for them. Marcellus hurriedly took Winter there.   

Once he put her down on the ground, he held her cheek and turned her to him, a worry-stricken expression splattered across his face. Seeing how her face has been completely drained out of color, his rampaging emotions intensified, urging him to do what he'd been planning to do next.

Marcellus slams his warm lips on Winter's cold ones.

With that, he begins giving her rescue breaths. She didn't budge after multiple times of being given CPR, though. He tried chest compressions as well, but it still didn't work.

He heard August cursing out loud from behind him – heard people coming their way. Even then, he only continued doing the cycle, not caring if he ran out of breath himself. By this point, he's doing all the hoping that he can do for all of his days, gripping on any thread of it and praying to every divine being out there.

As he tries his hardest to breathe life back into her, he's pleading with all his heart and soul. 

"Please, wake up, Winter," he begged desperately with tears filling his eyelids, already wearing his heart on his sleeves.

Grief strikes him when Winter still hasn't responded. Marcellus feels like breaking, shattering, and falling into pieces - it's the most unbearable feeling that he has ever had.

"Winter, I beg you."

He doesn't know what he'll do. His everything revolves around her. She's his world, and if she ever doesn't make it, he thinks he's going to go insane - he thinks he'll never be able to live the same way anymore.

Everything in his life will become meaningless - the fame, fortune, wealth, status, influence, connections, achievements, everything. Even his much-desired freedom isn't going to make up for it. Nothing will. Nothing can compare to her. She's too precious to him. 

'Just why…? Why is fate so cruel to you…?' he thought, finding destiny unfair for making her suffer like this time and again.

'Why is the world keep taking you away from me?' 

Driven by despair and panic, Marcellus keeps on connecting their lips together and giving her air. He does it over and over for what seems like an eternity. August himself is already on the edge of losing control at that point. Yet, all he can do is watch from behind.

And alas, Winter woke up, coughing.

Her eyes slowly flutter open before finding Marcellus kissing her. Too caught up in his attempt to save her, he remains unaware that she has finally started regaining consciousness. 

His relieving warmth travels throughout her body, sending tingles - a butterfly feeling. Then, there are his lips, soft yet firm, sealing her mouth with much desperation and needs. She can feel his emotions flowing through him, telling her how much she means to him.

Winter coughs some more.

"H-Huh?! Winter…?!" Marcellus exclaimed, shell-shocked, the moment he pulled away again and saw Winter already awake.

"Winter! Thank goodness!"

August brightens up at the sight, overjoyed. 

At that moment, waves of relief and still a tad bit of disbelief wash over them. She's now staring up to them - alive and conscious. Marcellus feels like all his pleas have been heard, making him tear up a little more.

"M-Marcellus…" she called out weakly, expression calm and soft.

"August, too. T-Thank you."

After telling that to Marcellus and August, Winter faded out once more.