Wren finally reached the top of the ladder with his arms trembling with exhaustion. Isabella immediately extended her hand down to help pull him up the final distance.
He took her offered hand gratefully and she pulled him up onto the deck with surprising strength for someone who'd just rescued him from drowning.
"Th-thanks, Isa..." Wren managed to say between heavy breaths.
"No worries," Isabella replied quickly, still holding his hand even after he was safely on the deck. "You being safe is what's more important right now."
Wren's feet landed solidly on the deck floor. One of the cruise workers stood at attention, ready to grab him if he stumbled backward while the other worker was still climbing the ladder below them, positioned to catch Wren if he fell.
But Wren staggered forward instead, practically falling into Isabella's arms. He smiled wryly despite the situation.
