Page 71 of Immortal Sun

Death.

The water washes up against my wrist almost like it’s beckoning me to come in closer. I lean farther.

I fall.

And I welcome it.

I imagine it’s the same way as when people have an afterlife moment. I see visions of my mom baking, my brother teasing me.

I smile, opening my mouth wide as I suck in all the memories and embrace the happy feeling of being actually content.

No longer afraid.

Perfect.

So warm.

God, finally warm.

Just like I am with Cyrus.

My arm dives deeper. I don’t want to be rescued. I smile as my lips part, drinking in the water, the feel of it running across my face.

Visions of fire run through my mind as my entire body is consumed with warmth.

And I see it.

I see someone standing against a rock wall, pressing his palms against it, pushing it, shoving it, crying out while people in gold and red armor stand around him screaming.

The wall doesn’t move.

He yells again, more words. His helmet is unmoving as sweat falls down his face.

I can’t see who it is, but his muscles bulge against the gold armor strapped to his biceps, his teeth clench.

“Help me!” he screams. “Don’t damn us all!”

Someone steps forward. A weapon in his hands; it looks like plain silver, or is it rusted? I can’t tell. His armor is black.

Another steps forward, armor a dark green, nearly black. He screams up at the skies as lightning strikes the tree and yells back at the rest. “Cowards!”

I can barely make out the word when I start to choke on something.

Water?

Air?

Aren’t they the same?

I smile.

How nice. This feeling.

Something grabs me, pulling me from my dream and back into a cold, wet, terrifying reality as I fall against bridge with a thud.

“Are you kidding me?” the voice roars. “You could have died! What the hell is wrong with you? We told you to be careful!” He paces. “Don’t walk around alone at night, don’t get unalived!” He stops and turns to me, pointing his diet coke at me. “Do. Not. Go. Out. By. Yourself!”

I gape. It’s Kratos from the pub and from the dinner. He’s dripping wet, pointing his pop at me and pacing like he’s a worried mom.

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