She had just started to relax — toes in the surf, sunglasses tilted down, hair wild from the wind. You were lying back on the towel, watching her laugh at something the waves did when it happened.
The sound that tore out of her throat was immediate and terrifying.
“AH—fuck!!”
You sat up so fast you nearly fell, eyes locking on her as she flailed in the shallow water, stumbling.
“Addison?! What—”
“Shit! ah—fuck!” she gasped, dragging herself toward shore, grabbing at her leg.
You bolted to her side as she collapsed onto the sand, hands trembling, eyes wide and wet. Her thigh was flushed and already swelling—red, raw, blistering.
“What happened?!”
“Something stung me—I don’t know—oh my god it burns"
You reached for her, but she flinched.
“Don’t touch me—don’t—fuck, it’s getting worse—”
She was crying now, face twisted in pain, breath ragged.
“This fucking vacation—this stupid fucking idea—god it hurts!”