Beside Still Waters by Debbie Viguié

her head.  Handcuffed it would be hard to swim effectively and quietly.  The preserver, as long as there was nothing wrong with it, would make her job easier.
                  She eased her right leg over the railing and nearly froze as she looked down at the ocean beneath her.  It was a good four foot drop into the water from the lowest part of the rail.  She eased herself down as low to the water as she could and then finally lowered herself down.  Her feet and calves went into the water and then it was time to let go.
                  Terror surged through her.  She didn’t want to fall into the water.  She didn’t want them to hear her do so either. 
                  God, please help me , she prayed.  She let go, grabbing the life preserver as she did.  She dropped into the water with enough force to almost tear the life preserver out of her hands.  She clung to it, though, gritting her teeth at how much noise she had just made.  At least she was on the opposite side of the boat.  Plus the two men were arguing so loudly hopefully they didn’t hear her splash.
                  She positioned the life preserver just in front of her so it was keeping her head and part of her chest out of the water.  Then she began to kick, making sure to keep her legs underwater to minimize the sound.  She knew instantly it was going to be hard going.  She kicked off her sandals, wondering why she hadn’t thought to do so earlier.
                  You can do this , she told herself.  Just keep kicking.
                  Behind her she heard a gunshot ring out and her heart jumped.  One of the men must have shot the other.  Maybe she was safe.
                  More likely, though, her escape was about to be discovered.  She gave up all pretense at stealth as she kicked wildly, heading for the next boat over at the dock.  Her knee was stinging like fire from the salt water and her ankle was throbbing with every kick.
                  She was halfway between the two boats.  She was going to make it.  Once on board hopefully she’d be able to call for help.  How long would it take the authorities to arrive?  Could she hide long enough to be safe?
                  Something hit the water inches from her and a moment later she heard another gunshot.
                  He’s shooting at me , she realized.  She tried to change course, to zig zag, but she was moving impossibly slow.  Water splashed her in the face and she coughed on it, choking.  She couldn’t breathe and the pain was becoming unbearable.  She saw someone on the other boat and she tried to shout but just sucked in more water.  She couldn’t wave her arms without abandoning her life preserver and her injured legs wouldn’t allow her to tread water for very long.  If she tried to float she’d just be a sitting target.
                  She had to keep going.  She kicked as hard as she could, until the pain was nearly blinding.  Another bullet went into the water nearby.  Then another splashed water into her eyes.
                  She didn’t dare risk looking behind her.  She just tried to focus on her destination.  It was a small yacht with the name Pearl of the Deep written on it.
                  Her life preserver jerked , and she saw a bullet hole in it just as she heard the shot ring out.
                  She swerved again, wishing she knew how many bullets before the man would have to reload.  At the rate they were going it seemed that he would run out of bullets before she could reach the other ship.
                  Finally the Pearl of the Deep loomed in front of her.  She aimed for a ladder on the side.  She reached it and hauled herself out, praying she didn’t get shot as she did so.  She made it onto the boat and collapsed on the deck.  She was dizzy and sick