stranger ➳ luke hemmings

prologue

I fell, deep. At first it was panic, thrashing limbs and kicking, screaming. The water was heavy, and all strength left my limbs as my surroundings grew dark. Each movement was futile and an icy, sharp pain stabbed at my body, threatening to extinguish the little spark of life that remained in me. 

Then I gave up. I had nothing left in me to fight anymore. I let the force of the tide pull me under as a certain joy spread about me, perhaps this was the correct choice. 

My muscles relaxed and I was oddly calm for a moment. I took a breath, and a burning sensation filled my lungs and throat before the heavy pressure on my chest was lifted, and it was peaceful. The water felt so heavy with its depths wide open, welcoming me in so graciously. 

But before everything started to fade, someone else jumped in. I felt soft fingertips trying to grasp at me, hands curled around my waist. But It was too late, I was too far under now. The tide had taken over, I was at its mercy.