CHAPTER ONE

Water.

It's cold. So cold that it's frozen up my entire body. I can't breathe... It's like it's in my lungs. No, it is in my lungs. I feel trapped. I feel like I can't move. The water holds my body in place and it's like the world has come to a stop, just to watch me drown.

I watch as my brother appears in front of me. He's floating in front of my face, his brown hair flying around his face and his eyes searching mine. We're a perfect mirror of each other's faces. I'm even dying the way he did. Then he holds his hand out.

"Come." he mouths, keeping it out for me to take.

I open my mouth to respond, but it's full of water.

'I can't,' I think, panic spreading as I realize he can't hear me, 'I don't know if I should go with you. I'm supposed to be dying. And then when I die, people will know me. They'll feel sorry for me and regret all that they've said and done. If you're to bring me to the surface, I'll pointlessly live on, with no purpose.'

Sadness etches across his soft features. He begins to fade. His eyes leave mine. I try to get his attention by pushing out my hand. 'Please, Theo. Please don't leave me again. Stay with me this time. Stay with me while I go. We can be together.'

I reach out, desperate. I reach out further and my hand connects with his, though I don't know if he's going to help me live or die. Suddenly, my eyes close and the world disappears from around me.