It All Started When...

Deep Shist

   "OH MY GOD!!!"

   My voice was ripped away by the wind. We were falling, faster and faster as the ground raced towards us. I clung to Liam tightly, wrapping my arms around his torso.

   "The trees!" I screeched, "We're gonna die!"

   Indeed, the tree boughs hovered over the river, blocking it from view. Huge, sturdy oaks with ginormous branches. If we crashed into those, we would be cut up like fruit in a blender.
  
   "Hold on!" Liam shouted, tucking his arms around me.

   Suddenly, it felt like Liam was being ripped out of my grasp. I clung on tighter, desperate for some sort of safety. Our speed slowed a fraction, and we crashed through the canopy.

   How we didn't die? I don't know.

   The cold water shocked my senses. I gasped as my head went under. The water rushed into my mouth, tasting of fish and mud. I choked. My sweater quickly became soaked, cooling my body with a dull ache. A dizzy feeling rattled my senses. I swung my arms out, searching for up. My chest constricted, trying to force oxygen into my lungs. I grunted painfully.

   I was going to die.

   I heard a deep whoosh. Shadows darkened my vision. I felt something brush against me, and I vaguely wondered if it was a fish. Suddenly, the neckline of my sweater cinched around my neck, constricting my throat as I choked. My body was moving fast in one direction, the water growing lighter all the time, but I was too weak to be of much help. My hands went to my neck, vainly trying to loosen the cinch, but my eyes fluttered closed before I could even make the attempt.

—————-

   "Iris?" A concerned voice filled my head, muffled to my ears. "Are you okay?"

   I coughed. Then I couched again, but this time water rushed out of my lungs. Somebody was picking me up, turning me onto my side. I spewed water onto the cold, damp ground. My throat choked as it tried to gulp down air, greedily sucking and pulling at my sore chest. I gasped as I flopped back onto my back.

   "Iris?" The voice said again.

   I opened my eyes and was met with a stunning blue color, the color of a clear, sunny day. Bright even in the dark. Brows furrowed over the picture, and I looked at the rest of his face. Liam's mouth was tugged down in one corner, his full lips twisted in concern. Locks of soft brown hair fell into his face. He brushed them away quickly, placing a hand on my forehead.

   "Why didn't you tell me you were a Validus?" He muttered, looking me up and down. He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear with his hand, then let it stay there, cradling my head.

   I looked at him. He looked at me. It would have been awkward... if I wasn't half delirious and on the verge of blacking out again. No, it was peaceful. Each of us catching our breath and not saying anything, just taking joy in each others presence. I leaned into Liam's touch, letting his warm hand brush my face. He licked his lips.

   Then he abruptly shoved away. He sat back on his haunches, giving me some room to move. I peered at him curiously. My drunken mind wondered if I'd hurt his hand.

   "Liam?" My throat was raspy and dry. "Are you okay?"

   He blinked at me. "Am... am I okay?"

   Then he started laughing. "Are you insane, Iris? You nearly drowned, and you're asking if I'm okay? Yeah, sure. That makes sense!"

   "What's a Validus?" I asked. My mind was stuck on that word he'd said. Validus. Validus. Validus.

   "A Validus," He muttered, serious again. His tone was strangely heavy as he peered at me. He sighed.