It's surprising what human beings can accomplish when death is staring them right in the face. When things began plummeting, few knew how to react. Most were confused, seeking guidance from the very foundations and institutions that, once meant to h...
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I'm drowning. The heaviness wrapped around my body drags me deeper through the darkness so easily, as if I weigh nothing. The more I try to struggle, the more unsubstantial I become. Above me, the clear, cracked ice moves further away until it disappears completely behind the trail of fading air bubbles.
I reach for the surface, straining every muscle in my arms to swim up towards the opening. But, my legs are too stiff to move. I thrash my body against the freezing empty void and feel my numb limbs respond below me. I kick upwards forcefully, ignoring the feeling of thousands of pins prodding into my thighs. Releasing faint gulps of air, my arms cut through the emptiness, which begins to thicken into the black tar-like substance the more I fight against it.
I see a glimmer of white for a faint moment before feeling that thing masquerading as the memory of my mother bind my ankles. Sharp talons cling to my calves, dragging me into the emptiness once again. I shriek in pain, but the sound is muted by the denseness around me. In that instant, I realize I'm running out of air.
My lungs fill with the thick substance as I sink further into the void. Panicking, I hear Declan's voice, firm and clear, lecturing me on how the first step to getting out of any situation is to relax the mind and maintain even breaths. Trying not to gasp for air, I swivel my body around and bring my chest down to my legs. I claw at the darkness around my ankles and whatever was binding me moments ago seems to dissolve under my touch.
I kick and push my body up, taking as much distance below my wingspan at a time as I can, but it's too late. The remaining mouthfuls of air in my lungs release and I choke on the thick, gooey substance.
My hands travel up to block my mouth and nose in a panic. It's no use. My eyes slowly begin to shut and the crushing gravity keeps me floating in the empty darkness...motionless, freezing, and completely alone.
I'm beginning to welcome the sweet escape of unconsciousness when, in between my sluggish blinks, I notice a faint glow surrounding first my hands, then my chest, and finally my entire body.
Against the dark void, the blue, almost silver aura emitting from my body is unmistakable, its iridescence lighting up the space around me. I give in to its warmth and feel myself drifting, surrounded by dancing blue shadows and glistening specks of silver.
As I shut my eyes, the blissful moment is interrupted by a voice that echoes firmly through my mind, but is not my own. Its tone is soothing, distinct and yet familiar almost. The same couple of words continue to be repeated over and over, stirring something deep within me, but as I try to decipher its message, I feel my body being pulled up toward the light and the break in the ice.
Another voice, deep and rich and, I think, coming from outside my head this time, ardently calls my name. I feel my thighs press against the jagged edge of the ice as strong arms lift me into the open air. The mumbled words unleash a flurry of shivers that run through my entire body, lighting up every nerve. The shock of electricity forces me to cough up some dark substance and I begin wheezing for air.
