The water was black.
Lanterns flickered near the trees, with people in the distance.
Headlights pointed toward the lake like someone had angled a car right at the edge.
A woman screamed.High-pitched, sharp, and terrified.I knew that voice.I knew her.
Mom.
She shouted, “Mom!”
My breath caught.
My heart thundered.
“Don’t you fucking answer her, Bernice!”the man warned.
The other woman there was Bernice.
Mom and I were behind the car, and she was holding my arm tightly.I could feel her fear radiating through me.“We need to get out of here, Shay-Shay,” she whispered.
A man yelled back.A voice I didn’t recognize.“You fucked with the wrong club, Caleb!”
I couldn’t see him.Only a shadow thrashing near the water, backlit by lantern glow and headlights.
“Stop!”Bernice screamed, her voice cracking.“You can’t do this!”
The deep voice exploded through the dark, furious and out of control.“Shut up, Bernice!You and that girl ain’t gonna ruin this!”
Branches snapped beside me as Mom grabbed my arm and yanked me backward.
“Come on, Shay, don’t look.Just run!”Mom urged.
But I heard everything.
The slap of bodies colliding.The scrape of boots sliding in mud.Grunting, cursing, and the sound of a struggle spiraling out of control.
Bernice cried out, “Please, stop!”
Then, a splash.A heavy, awful splash.
And then, silence.
I jolted awake with a choking gasp and sat upright so fast the room spun.
Prime jerked awake beside me instantly.“Shay?”His voice was rough with sleep but sharp with concern.“Hey, hey, talk to me.”
I couldn’t.Not at first.
My chest was tight.My hands shook.
He sat up and cupped my face, gently turning me toward him.“Look at me.Just breathe.”
I blinked through the leftover darkness until his face came into focus.
The room was dim.It was still night.We were alone.I wasn’t on the shore of the lake anymore.But the dream and memories clung to me like the lake water Caleb had drowned in.
Prime slid closer, his knees brushing mine under the blankets.“What happened?”
