Under the surface, everything was calm. Too calm. Miria opened her eyes. She swam gently… until she saw a figure.
A young girl… sinking slowly into the depths.
— Someone's drowning! she thought in panic.
She swam toward her, reached out—her fingers touched the girl's pale skin. And then she knew.
— It's me… as a child…
The child lifted her head and opened her eyes. They glowed, bright and otherworldly. Miria opened her mouth, but all that escaped was a muffled scream.
The world shifted. The water turned cold. Heavy. She felt herself being pulled up.
She burst through the surface, gasping, Asher's arms holding her tight.
— "Miria! Are you okay?! What happened?!"
She didn't answer. She collapsed against him, shaking, tears running down her cheeks.
Asher, taken aback by her emotion, held her gently. He stroked her wet hair and whispered:
— "It's over. You're safe now, Miria."