Danger Zone

7. Drowning

Chapter seven

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Darkness.

It wasn't the warm darkness that enveloped you during a dreamless sleep.

It was a cold, empty darkness that consumed me.

I could feel my chest burning, and the waves that were once calm seemed to be thrashing angrily around me as if they did not want me there.

Suddenly, I began to see memories flash rapidly in whatever abyss I was in.

Am I dead?

I could see myself as a baby taking my first steps while my parents looked on proudly. And then it became me at five years old learning how to ride a bike with my grandpa back in Greece during a family vacation. Next came my valedictorian speech at my high school graduation, followed by my first day in training to be an agent. The images slowed down: and then there was Reece.

It was our first date where he'd taken me to a fancy restaurant. I'd just finished teasing him about a piece of spinach that was stuck between his two front teeth, resulting in a blush. The date then morphed into our first kiss, our first time making love to each other, his proposal...

And then there was his death.

And then there was Dante.

I was standing in a field of flowers in a pretty white sundress. Dante was in front of me, stroking my face and telling me that he loved me. I was shocked to see a little boy and girl run to us with big smiles on their faces.

The boy appeared to be older by a couple of years. He had the most striking hazel eyes I'd ever seen and thick, curly jet black hair to match. Tall and lanky, he couldn't have been older than twelve. The little girl had loose brown curls that resembled mine paired with Dante's blue eyes. They were the most precious things I'd ever laid eyes on..

It all dissolved after a few seconds to be replaced with Reece's frowning face. He looked at me with so much disappointment it was a physical pain to see him.

"Why? Why would you do this?" His voice surrounded me, sending a shockwave through me.

I tried my hardest to answer, but no sound would come out.

"Dolcezza."

Dante was standing on the opposite side of Reece, staring at me intently. His blue eyes were burning a hole into my face.

"Come back to me," he pleaded quietly.

I glanced back at Reece, absolutely torn. His face was emotionless.

"Thalia please!" Dante's voice was loud, frantic even. It felt like he was screaming into my ear. I had no choice but to run to him.

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My chest burned as I coughed, sputtered and gasped for air. I opened my eyes to see Dante looking down at me with worry etched onto his beautiful features.

Relief seemed to flood him when he saw that my eyes were open. "Grazie a Dio," he muttered, clutching me to his chest. I was momentarily confused as to why we were on the beach soaking wet before it all came back to me.