Chapter 36
Back in the water, deep below the surface.
I’m floating in the green haze once again. I take a deep breath, and water flows through the slits on my neck, which are now wide open.
Then two realities coincide.
I see both the shimmering green water and my dark bedroom, where my motionless body lies in bed.
I’m dreaming again, I realize, without feeling the least bit surprised.
My eyes remain closed.
I’m back in the sea with that wicked, dangerous thing. It slithers above my head as the water pulses and seethes with increasing intensity.
It comes at me with the same force as when it wrecked our boat, but this time I gather all my strength. This time I refuse to surrender. I won’t let fear defeat me again.
I strain to wake up.
My eyelids flicker. A voice whispers.
Someone is trying to force me to stay asleep. But now I know that I can resist. Push back.
I sit up in bed with a jolt, suddenly wide awake.
Something tumbles from my body.
Before shock sets in, I catch a glimpse of the shadow, the thing that has been sitting on my chest. I can still feel where its claws had dug in.
Eyes flash at me, wide open. Last time, I was sure I had seen those eyes before. This time I glimpse the golden glint of a tooth, and I realize who it is.
She sees that I’m awake. She knows that I know.
I clearly hear her curse as her shadow disappears into the night.