Chapter 77

“Let’s all get out of this together,” Eloise said.

“Your place is with us, Eirian,” Poppy called again.

They turned, twisting their massive body, pushing forward through the mire of the shadow that consumed them, their chest burning, red hot like a furnace within them.

Other voices came through too, some familiar, others not—your voice was there, calling out your own words, though you might not remember it now—and Eirian pushed forward, step by step in the darkness that clung to them, the fire burning brighter and brighter in their chest. Step, by step, by step, their pace quickening, taught leg muscles tightening, feet splashing amongst the waves, fire burning bright, darkness for ever and ever—step, foot, leg, waves, fire, dark, dark, dark; step, foot, leg, waves, fire, dark, dark, dark.

“Eirian, come home!” Poppy screamed.

In their chest, the fire ignited.

* * * *

Darkness.

Darkness.

* * * *