The boss, Vince Moretti, was cold and cruel. “Time’s up, rich boy.”
They pushed Alex hard. He screamed and fell 50 feet into the fast river. Splash! His expensive suit got heavy. He couldn’t swim well. He started sinking fast.
Vince looked down and laughed. “Problem gone.”
But Ethan saw it all.
Without thinking, Ethan pulled off his hoodie and jumped in. He knew this river like his own backyard. He had learned to swim here as a little kid. He fought the strong current, reached Alex just as the man went under again.
“Help!” Alex gasped, then sank.
Ethan grabbed his jacket, pulled him up. Alex was big and heavy, panicking, grabbing Ethan like he would drown them both.
“Stop moving!” Ethan shouted. “Trust me!”
Something in the boy’s strong voice calmed Alex. Ethan flipped him on his back and towed him like a lifeguard to the rocky shore. Both collapsed, spitting water, breathing hard.
Alex stared at the skinny kid who just saved his life. “You… you saved me.”
“Did the bad guys go?” Ethan asked, looking at the bridge.
“You saw?”
“I saw them push you. You owed money. You were scared.”