Seasons: Secrets of Penumbra

Chapter 12 - Return

My vision was hazy. I could make out a beach. I could smell the salt in the air. 

Why am I here?

Seagulls. I heard seagulls.

I could feel the waves splashing against my feet.

The soft, squishy sand between my toes.

There was someone in front of me.

"I'm sorry," she said.

In an instant, two strong hands pushed me.

I fell backward into the water.

Why? Why did she push me?

I fell into the water. Sinking.

I tried to swim back up. Something was weighing me down.

It was heavy.

I tried to swim against it. It was too strong.

I couldn't breathe. 

Is this what it's like? I'm losing control of my senses.

The world darkened around me. I saw a bright light.

Is this what they mean? You see a light before you go.

I couldn't hold on any longer. I needed to close my eyes.

I closed my eyes.

"Summer."

I jerked my eyes open and sat up.

"Lie down, Summer, it's alright."

A warm hand rested on my shoulder. I looked up to see Nature and my sisters next to me.

"Mother?"

"You're exhausted. You're still recovering from having a new element," said Nature.

"The spell must have worn you out. I should've known better..." said Spring.

"You need rest, Summer," said Nature.

She glanced at my sisters and back at me.

"I'll let you rest," she said before leaving the room.

Autumn held my hand and asked, "Are you alright?".

I took a deep breath before speaking.

"Someone pushed me," I said.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"When I drowned back in Corium. Someone pushed me into the water."

Spring and Autumn exchanged uneasy glances.

"Do you remember who it was?" asked Spring.

"No... I only heard her say that she was sorry."