The world sways. I am being lifted by strong arms. Warmth. I reach for that warmth, but the harder I try, the faster I fall. A door slams shut somewhere in my subconscious. A frustrated growl fills the space. Water begins trickling.
And then, that voice tells me, If you die on me, I will haunt you down in hell, Valka. And I'll bring you back and kill you myself.
And then, I fall. For real this time. And crash into a pool of scalding hot water. The throes of the nightmare seeking to sink me seize at the peril of being drowned in real time. My body jacknifes and I gasp, water filling my mouth and nostrils.
I flail, hands outstretched as I try to grab a hold of something. My nails screech against the smooth panes of what feels like a bath tub and I begin thrashing with wild panic.
But it only lasts for a second as those familiar hands pluck me from the water and I cling to them for dear life, shivering. Sobbing.
