Page 67 of Axis of Fire

My eyes darted.

Searching.

Begging.

There.

On the deck.

I had fallen only seconds ago—

but it felt like an eternity had passed.

I saw them.

My parents.

Right in front of me.

I tried to scream.

Again.

And again.

But the sound drowned with me.

They didn’t notice me.

Or...

they didn’t want to.

Somewhere nearby,

the spirits whispered.

Softly.

Insistently.

“You are unloved...”

“You are unwanted...”

Their voices sank deeper than the water.

But I—

damn it—

I didn’t want to believe them.

I reached upward.

Toward the light.

Toward the air.