It was as if someone had poured a bucket of ice-cold water over her.
A sharp chill ran from the back of her neck down her spine, stealing the warmth from her limbs in an instant. Her breath stopped, her pulse quickening as a cold knot formed in her stomach, making her feel wide awake.
Every sound, every shadow, every shift in the air around her suddenly seemed to catch her attention as Ariel's voice continued to echo in her ear.
'That is you, right? Joanna? I can see that you're waving at me. I'm com—'
'Don't!'
Joanna tightened her grip on the wooden handrail, her fingers digging into the aged surface as if anchoring herself in place.
'Don't come in! That's not me!'
'.....'
Ariel went silent a moment after.
Without waiting for her to say anything else, Joanna continued.
