r of cold, black water. It dragged m

pressure built in my chest until I

esperate, but my b

ng-broke through the haze

ripped me.Strong arm

er gave

sliced into my lungs. My body convu

hrough wet lashes and saw trees... a face

ma

his forehead. His jaw clenched, eye

fell hard beneath

. My fingers gripped a broken stick lying beside me, and

emanded, my voice b

er. Didn't mov

ched cautiously, eyes scanning

e low and calm. "You're welcome.

ssment and confusion. I had n

ere. But my body ached in all

his brow, the way his wet clothes clung to his

someone pulle

nger. Like danger w

ispered finally,

g away. He didn't ask if I was

ked back to

retreat. The other man followe

were

hing about him ma

one, my thoughts spinning. That voice inside-the same one that had sc

my skin. A pre

ngs in the wind, unsteady, unsure. The forest looked different no

the lingering sensation of being

crept into the house like a shadow, peeling off w

g, hoping it would wash away the fear, the emb

y didn'

me. The stranger from the

hing in me I hadn

r than words. It echoed in m

ame slowl

al. So were the scratches across

to the ache in my chest.

failed c

of eyes on me

taunting-still echoing i

hen in silence, p

gaze moving over the bruises

said before

She just nodded a

ounding. She looked at me, long and searchin

howed up. Th

ded n

. Not when the world only measured

y, I returned

t the water's edge, staring at the place I'd fall

ed harm

rushing over the wet grass where I'd cou

he bee

one wandered

not someo

ng to feel the energy

ru

pa

elt the moment his hand

A rogue? Somethi

.

bed with every muscle achi

ng about his voice. The way it s

have been

I wa

s cu

red me more

-was it him? Or was that just a

s came t

sil

ensation that som

ext M

ge gates without really k

er wasn

t there,

g was di

arks. Not many. Bu

en here

chi

spot where I

than it should've. Li

was talking to the air or him or some p

. Or who you are.

en I t

time, I chose

se, w

.

in the forest, away f

didn't

obably did

d doesn'

e hell was