"Then I guess I should go talk to her." Mr. Delgado tried to get to his feet, but immediately let out a cry. He sagged back to the deck. "Actually, I think I'll stay right here."
"You're hurt?"
"I think so. My left ankle hurts like a mother-" He stopped himself before he could say more. "Anyway, I don't think I can walk on it."
"Oh." Samantha considered the situation. Some water from the Fountain of Youth would cure him in an instant. The problem was she didn't have any on her. She could always run into town to fetch some, but that would mean leaving him here. By the time she made it to town and back, the boat might have broken loose from the rocks. Then Mr. Delgado might die. "I think we'd better get you down to the ground."
"That's a good idea, kid, but if I can't walk I sure as hell can't swim either."
Samantha's face turned warm again. She couldn't swim either. "If we hang on to the nets, then we should be able to make it. I'll help you."
He stared at her for a moment and then nodded. "I guess it's worth a shot."
He put his arm around her shoulders so he could lean against her to stand up. He groaned a little from pain, but didn't scream. They shuffled over to the edge of the boat, near the back, which was closest to the water. They squatted at the same time. So they were almost even with the railing.
Samantha swung herself over the side first. She fumbled around to find the netting and then climbed down. The water came up to her waist; she dug her shoes in to keep her footing. A wave slammed into her, but with one hand on the netting and her feet dug in, she kept her balance.
"Now your turn," she said. "I'll help you."
"Yeah, great," he grumbled. He used his hands to swing the left side of his body over, his injured leg sticking out. He shouted a curse word as he accidentally hit the side of the boat with the hurt foot. Samantha waited until she was certain no waves would come along for a minute and then let go of the net to grab him on either side of the waist.
It might have seemed like a good idea, but it didn't work out very well. Mr. Delgado was too heavy for Samantha. The moment he let go of the side of the boat, they both tumbled backwards, into the water. Samantha screamed and then began thrashing around until she caught hold of the netting.