I swam to the buoys on the border when I heard it. "Help Help!" It was a joke, right? The cries were feeble; they were only joking. My ears echoed, and I looked to the right. I saw two boys bobbing for air with their arms waving, just a joke. They were my age, no way were they older; and then one went under. I began screaming "help!" also, as I fought my way over the rushing whitecaps. I had all day.

     It seemed an eternity before someone latched onto me. My breath ran short as he pulled me under the water. When I came up, I was behind him. I grabbed his waist and pulled him towards the buoys. Once there, I let go of him and told him to go for help as soon as he could. No sooner was I turning, thanking myself he was alive, when the second boy was gone. He had left only little splashes of water where he had been. I had all day.

     I pictured the face of the second boy who had just gone underwater. I knew he was still alive; he had to be. So, I swam with all my might. He had to be alive; one that young had years of life ahead of him. I saw a splash of water, and he was again bobbing and gasping for air. He had come up again! My body froze, and I was awed that he still lived. He went under a third time and a numbing effect took my body. A cold tingling in my toes and fingers was working its way through me. I then felt a grip around my ankles. I could see no body, but I could scarcely feel his fingers clasped to my numb legs. He was climbing me like an old tree, and the waves were becoming worse. I was tiring quickly, and at last glance, an undertow had taken us more than sixty yards from the buoys. A grim thought crossed my mind, "We'll never make it back." Instantly, I was pushed under the water. I had all day.

     My last breath was completely water, and my lungs craved air. He was pushing and holding me underwater, I couldn't breathe! I jerked my numb body to fight the undertow. Suddenly I was sucking in great breaths of air, was I dead? I knew that I wasn't when I felt him let go. I took a deep breath and went below for him. The numbness had grown now, and I could barely feel his tiny forearm. I gave a solid yank and then fastened my arm around his waist. We would make it now. I had all day.

     I was screaming loudly for help now, and my screams were dull in my own waterlogged ears. The buoys were in sight now and I felt a great sigh of relief. Then his arm went limp and his fingers slowly uncoiled. I was too shocked to resist as he sank away. A large wave carried him only that much farther. It was impossible to help now. I clearly remember his face. We held eyes for what seemed a lifetime. His eyes locked onto me in pity and the worst imaginable dread. I felt dizzy. His mouth opened and screamed for help. Only no sound came out. Was it my fault? All went black; I had all day.

     I awoke to some familiar and some unfamiliar faces staring at me. I wasn't dead? I was overwhelmed, until I turned onto my side. Fifty feet away was another body, no older then my own, being covered in a billowing white sheet. "So young, so long to live." I stood up, staggering, and began to walk away.

After all, I had all day.