Page 96 of Dawn of Hope

Warmth spreads over my body, and I smile. I take in one last look at the lagoon and gorgeous water flowing into it from the falls.

I will be fine.

I step off the edge, only air surrounding me. My body is weightless. My feet break the surface of the water, but I am not afraid. She will find me. I am surrounded by beauty, and a soothing melody infiltrates my ears. It calms me further, reminding me of when I was young and the staff used to sing to me.

A slow stream of bubbles escapes my mouth as I relax into the feeling. Something touches my calf.

Is that her? She will bring me to safety, I know it. I am safe with her.

My eyes drift closed as I listen to the beautiful melody, and darkness overtakes me.

Everything will be fine.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Darkness envelops me, and I am in a complete void.

No noise, no light, no feeling.

I am floating in an abyss.

There is nothing. No roaring of waterfalls, heat from the sun, or mist on my face.

Nothing.

Then suddenly, there is burning.

I cough and splutter, water bursting from my mouth. Light and pain flood my senses as fire burns through my chest. I feel the hard ground under my body as I cough repeatedly, head pounding and mouth gasping for air.

I am afraid to open my eyes. I don’t know where I am, or what has happened. My last memory is crossing the stone bridge in front of the waterfall.

My chest feels like it has caved in as I continue coughing and gasping, spitting out the water that hadinfiltrated it.

Air. I need air.

“Breathe, just breathe,” a low voice grumbles over me.

My spine stiffens at the sound.

I am not alone.

I throw my eyes open and immediately flinch, the light such a stark contrast to the immersive darkness filling my eyes just moments ago. My vision is blurry, but I can make out a shape in front of me.

A person. A face, hovering mere inches above mine.

My heart continues racing and my limbs start to shake. I blink rapidly, the person’s features slowly coming into focus. I’m met immediately with a pair of bright teal eyes, framed by long dark lashes and thick brows, slanted in concern. Droplets of water fall off his face and hair onto mine, as he too takes deep heaving breaths.

The eyes roam my face, assessing, then soften slightly. I’m taken off guard at the relief I see reflected in them, as if the world is back in order now that I am breathing.

“You’re alive,” he breathes, his breath mingling with mine.

I’m alive.

Wait.

The panic that his eyes had soothed moments ago comes slamming back into me in full force. Who is this man? He isn’t a Voyager.

That can mean only one thing.