پائول به نجات میاد

CHAPTER TWELVE

Paul to the Rescue

“Anna, that is a very sad story,” says Julie.

“You and I are best friends,” says Anna. She isn’t smiling now, she is very serious.

“Why am I your best friend?” Julie feels nervous. She touches her locket then looks at Anna. Anna’s eyes are dark and strange again. She is staring at Julie. Julie tries to look away but she can’t.

“You know my secret, Julie. You have my locket. The person that has my locket must come and live with me in Coniston Water. You must live with me here forever!”

Julie is silent. She is still looking at Anna’s eyes.

“It is time,” says Anna. “Come with me, Julie.”

Julie cannot say no. She stands up and follows Anna out of the room.

They walk past the young people in the kitchen. They are all talking and laughing. They don’t notice Julie and Anna walking down to the lake.

Anna is looking at Julie. Julie is looking at Anna.

Anna is speaking quietly. “Walk this way, Julie. Follow me into Coniston Water.”

Julie nods her head. “Yes Anna, I’m coming. I am going with you to Coniston Water.”

They go onto the beach. Anna steps into the boat. She says, “Come and sit in the boat, Julie.”

Julie replies, “Yes, Anna.” She steps into the boat and sits down next to Anna.

Anna says, “Julie, pick up the oars. Row the boat.” Julie picks up the oars and begins to row.

Paul looks out of the kitchen window. It’s almost dark but he sees Julie in the boat. She is rowing the boat out into the middle of the lake. He runs outside.

“Julie! Julie! What are you doing? Come back!”

But Julie doesn’t look at Paul. She doesn’t hear him. She can only see Anna. She can only hear Anna’s voice. Anna says, “Row, Julie, row faster.”

Paul runs onto the beach. He pulls a boat into the water and jumps in.

Anna sees Paul. She shouts at Julie, “Faster, Julie. Row faster. Row to the middle of the lake.”

Julie looks at Anna and nods her head. She rows harder and faster.

Paul is near them now. He shouts, “Julie! Julie! Stop! Wait for me! Stop!”

Julie turns her head towards his voice but she is still looking at Anna.

Anna says, “Julie, it’s okay. You’re going to feel better in the water. You’re going to be happier with me. Do what I say.”

Julie says, “Yes, Anna. I am going to be happy with you. What do you want me to do?”

Anna tells Julie to stop rowing. She takes her hand and says, “Stand up, Julie.”

Julie puts the oars down and stands up. Anna takes her hand.

She jumps into the water, pulling Julie down with her. Julie doesn’t try to swim, she can’t do anything. She can only look at Anna’s eyes.

She tastes the muddy lake water in her mouth. She closes her eyes.

Suddenly Julie feels someone pulling her up to the top of the water. She is coughing. Water is coming out of her mouth. Paul has his arms around her.

He is pulling her into his boat. He climbs into the boat and pulls Julie in after him.

“Hurry, Julie. Lie down. Lie down in the middle of the boat!”

A strong wind is pushing the boat. Waves hit the sides. Paul tries to row the boat but he can’t move it. The waves are too big.

Julie opens her eyes. “What’s happening, Where am I,” she says. She can hear a small voice in her head, “Julie, you are my best friend, my best friend forever!”

The wind gets stronger. The furious waves tip the boat over.

Paul and Julie fall into the water. Julie feels the water go over her head but Paul grabs his sister and puts his arms around her.

He swims with her slowly towards the overturned boat.