Chapter 87: 'Stay there until I come get you.'

ROSE

Bright white light. A sense of comforting chill washed over me. It was like diving into an ocean of warmth—only it wasn’t cold and wet…and long.

Sunbathed wood, grass and metallic stones swarmed into my nostrils as a wide stretch of calm green and calm blueness greeted me like an old friend. The familiar feeling felt strange and slightly frightening. Like I should be expecting something.

Yet I had no idea what to expect.

“This is….” I stared in awe at the span of peaceful waters laid before me like a blue mirror. “Is this…?”

His silence gripped me.

All of a sudden fear settled in me. I shifted closer, tucking myself into his back like a security blanket.

It was then he turned to me. Surprised at first, then sympathetic.

Or so I thought.

“What’s wrong with you?” He squinted in slight irritation. “Never seen a lake before? They’ve got one at the—.”

“Park.” I straightened, feeling silly. “I know.” I avoided his gaze and tried to survey the unfamiliar surroundings.