~Chapter 37~

   A darkness surrounded me. It was deep, thick, and reminded me of a time I was six and almost drowned in the ocean. It didn't matter how I struggled and twisted, I just couldn't find up, couldn't find the surface, couldn't find air, breath, life.

   Then a brilliant light shined through everything. It was wonderful, but far, and I found myself trying to move toward it. As it got closer it lit up everything around me, making the wisps of darkness fry up much like a vampire would in the sun. It was warm, not hot, and bright, not blinding. It was beautiful. It was pure. It was good.

   Suddenly I was six again. That light was the lifeguard who had pulled me out of the rip current. Its warmth spread through me, slowly bringing feeling back. The lifeguard was breathing air into my lungs. I coughed up salt water, which burned, but the pain was what told me I was alive.

   I sprang straight up, sucking in a deep breath of air. It didn't hurt at all.