\\\WINNER OF THE 2018 WATTY'S LONGLIST///
With Ethan's permission, I took home the painting. I borrowed Luke's hammer and got to work, hanging the frame on the wall across from my bed. Nails between my teeth, I took a step back, admiring my handiwor...
I waded the warm waters of the lagoon, headed for the blue-eyed wonder waiting before the falls. He took me in his arms, lifting my chin for a kiss that lasted an eternity.
One! Two! Three! Eliza, wake up. Wake up, Eliza! I frowned, listening to the voice, watching as it faded on the grey winds...
Drake took my face in his hands. "Dream later, Eliza. You have to start fighting back."
"I'm trying. It's hard. Everyone wants me to be like Naomi, but I don't know if I can live up to her--I don't know if I'm strong enough."
"It doesn't matter what you think you know. Be yourself." He placed his hand on my heart, in wonder with the beat, or maybe that it beat at all. "There's strength in that." Drake pushed hard and I fell harder, hitting the water with a splash.
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I coughed, spitting up the water I had choked on. Chest burning, lungs on fire, grass beneath my fingertips and the evening sky overhead, I breathed.
"Eliza?" Drake was kneeling at my side, brushing my hair back, dark eyes filled with concern. Soaked through and through, I knew he had pulled me right from the stream. I sat up and hugged him, remembering everything he said in the lagoon, but most importantly the part where he called me Eliza.
"You saved me." I squeezed back, freezing in place when I saw the person standing behind us. "Ethan?"
Drake helped me to my feet - and didn't let go, his hand on my shoulder for reassurance. "
"Someone drowned her. I didn't see the person who did it, I just pulled her out." Drake looked down at me, sorrier than if he'd held me under himself.
Ethan's already tan face colored in anger. "You okay, Eliza?"
"Yeah." I nodded. "How did you both know where to find me?"
Ethan glared at Drake. "You didn't tell her?"
"You didn't tell her either."
"Didn't tell me what? Hello?"
"I'm going after them. The person who did this could still be out there." Ethan pulled his shirt over his head. He tossed it aside, his hazel gaze turned to gold. Things inside him began to break, each snap forcing a grunt from his lips. When he spoke, it was Mr. Wolf I heard.
"Get her to the bar. Find Lucas." Ethan backed into the trees and became one with the shadows, his human form still melding into the shape of the Wolf as he disappeared.
I took a few steps after him, hating to see Ethan put his life at risk for me. "She came out of nowhere. And she was strong. I couldn't fight her." I turned back to Drake. "E can take care of himself, right?"
"He can. Why were you out here?"
"Eden." I shrugged, wrapping myself in the soggy sleeves of my sweater as I started up the bank towards the direction of the bar.
