Aurelie is drowning

Aurelie felt her vision getting narrower and darker. She was about to drown when suddenly she felt a yank on her neck. And then another one. Was this just her getting mad? Now, there was now a steadier, definite pull on the chain that was coiled around her neck. She was being pulled towards the surface by it! Frantically, her hands reached for her neck, explored the many coils of rusty chain that had been wrapped there. There were so many of them that the metal links were stacked tight from her shoulders to her jawline, hindering the movements of her neck. She could not even look down at her own body. However she managed to glance upwards and she glimpsed a rope that was now taut and pulling her up fast.

She had not been thrown overboard without a "lifeline" after all. That had only been a cruel joke. In not time her spinning body broached through the surface. She filled her burning lungs with fresh air. It felt so good to be alive.

It only took a few breaths to revive her completely. She then realised she was being towed behind the galley by her neck. They have not even slowed down her pace. She was dragged in her wake, her chained head bobbing up and down just over the surface. As the chain was spread over her entire neck, there was not enough pressure to strangle her although breathing was nevertheless rather difficult and painful. At least she was in no immediate risk of dying.

Her hands reached for her feet, explored the many coils of rusty chain that had been wrapped there. The links were so tight that they pressed her ankle bones painfully together. Her deft fingers found a carabiner. They hastily manipulated it, releasing it from the links it had been snapped to. That allowed her to uncoil the long chain from her legs, turn after turn while. In no time the chain unwrapped itself from her legs and sank towards the abysses.