The Fear List (The Fear Series, #1) ON HOLD

Prologue - Under

©All rights reserved for The Fear List. All concepts, characters and storylines are completely original and all my own work. Any similarities that may occur are purely coincidence. Please do not copy or replicate my work. I do not own any images used within this book.

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Prologue - Molly's POV

Water.

It surrounds me when I awake utterly submerged. My mouth opens on instinct before I can stop myself, water gushing between my lips. I don't know if it's possible to choke when there is no air around you but somehow that's what I do. I swallow the water; gagging, the salty substance setting alight a rough fire as it slides down my throat and chest. It flows into my lungs, liquid filling the space in place of much needed oxygen. I claw frantically towards the surface; malicious sharp edges from the sea floor abrade my small bare feet as I push myself upwards. It's peculiar how the typically beautiful seabed is so deceptive; its attractiveness distracting you from its hazardous exterior.

As I feel my strength straining, the thrashing water eases off, seemingly giving me a fighting chance to break free. I feel liberated when my head bursts through the choppy waves, my mouth opening wide to pull in ample amounts of air. My throat feels like I swallowed razor blades but my body relaxes slightly when my breathing goes from non-existent to shallow. Although it's short lived as I'm blind to what is coming towards me. The dominant surf forces my frail body back under again, dragging me further into the murky ocean until my feet no longer reach the ground.

My pyjamas feel heavy under the water, assisting the sea in sinking me further down towards the deep, dark unknown. The density of the water is intolerable on my feeble body. It's almost bone crushing as it lashes across my skin and eyes, stinging them in the process. I try to fight towards the surface a second time but it's no use because my muscles spasm, working alongside the fierce water to keep me from succeeding towards my goal.

My throat and lungs burn as I struggle to gather the last of my breath. Black spots appear within my vision as my heart pounds, constricting from lack of air. I feel my arms and legs getting heavier as they grow tired from the burden of struggling to break free from the waves above me. I catch a glimpse of red marks that paint my arms. I hadn't noticed that he had been so rough before now. They seem faded, not like a cut or abrasion but rather a bruise or a mark that would be left from the forceful weight of a hand. Although panic from being unable to breathe is currently running through my body my brows still furrow in confusion. I remember what he did to me last night but how did I get here? Is my current state his doing?

As that thought lingers I feel a weight lift, maybe this is where I should be, what I deserve. The chilling water washes away the invisible toxins that coat my skin and I feel cleaner than I have in the longest time. Although I am not a believer of God the thought of dying out here in the very sea that has just baptised me fills me with warmth. My water-logged ears cease all sounds around me, making it seem almost peaceful. Time has stopped and it's just me in this place, alone and dying.

A place that was only moments ago the very thing that was making me fear for my life now calms me. I do not see the forceful waves as the devil in disguise but rather a waiting grace. I easily make peace with what will happen, the fight instantly leaving my body now that I realise that dying will be better than going back to him. My mind prepares for a beautiful send off as it allows me to view the sea as a false imagery of a clear and tranquil atmosphere rather than the shadowy crashing waves I know that it is. While my vision is to some extent impaired by the grit in my eyes they still dart from one place to another taking in the immense make-believe realm that I have conjured up. I pretend to see a blinding sun through the water's surface as it gleams, sending trickles of bright light through the steadily flowing cobalt waves when in truth the waves are dark and vicious.

Peace. Freedom. Content.

My thoughts are soothing as I drift weightlessly within the water before my world turns black.

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Authors Note

Hi everyone,

Please vote and leave comments it will help me to improve each chapter if you gave any feedback.

I have dedicated this chapter to the lovely @ReturnofArc for writing the blurb for this story. Check out their work :)

P.S Check out my other story - His presence :)

Thanks guys :)