Chapter 10

Tears drip down my cheeks as the water sits on my body. It was the fifth time my mother called me disgrace and a mistake and Dad did nothing to stop her or say otherwise. I guess I was a huge disappointment that it even made my cousins stay away from me.

One time I heard them saying that they wished I died. Death; an escape from reality and not a bad idea. I stare at the water, my thoughts wandering to somewhere dangerous. I list the pros and cons in the mind as I continue on gazing at the water. When I finally made up my mind, I don't allow myself to second guess myself and duck into the water.

After fifteen seconds, oxygen disappears from me as an urge to go the surface arises. Pushing down that urge, I keep my head under water. Black dots spot my vision as a sharp pain like a knife drove itself in my chest appears. My throat starts burning and I open my mouth to try to find some relief, but water comes in my mouth and down my throat.

In the distance, I hear the bathroom door open and a shrieking scream. A white light comes in front of me and smile in relief. I just want this nightmare to be over.

"Get her out!"

"Call 911!"

"She isn't breathing." Colours and pictures come and go in my vision like a movie but all of them blurred out. "Clear! It's not working, turn it up. Clear! Again..."

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Suddenly, a woman with white long hair and a golden dress appears in my vision. Golden wings sprout from her back as she opens her eyes; I gasp. Her golden eyes burn like a thousand suns. "Raylana Christina Sullivan, dědic trůnu. You are here too early." (heir to the throne)

I keep on gaping at her, my mouth opening and closing like a fish. She raises a thin white eyebrow at my inability to speak. I clear my throat, suddenly embarrassed. "I...um... how did you know my name?"

"I know everything about you. I've been watching you since you were born. Jste důležitější, než si myslíte." I scrunch up my nose, "I...ah... don't know that language." (You are more important than you think.)

She smiles lightly, "You do, you just don't know it yet."

"I don't know what that means."

"Nedůležité. Now, what are you doing here?" (Not important)

"What do you mean?" I ask, confused again, "Aren't I dead?"

"Not quite, you are in the Between. That's the middle of the living and the dead."

"Ooook, why aren't I dead."

"Because it's not your time yet."

My eyes widen, and I look at her pleading, "Please don't make me go back."

She sighs regretfully. "I'm sorry but you need to do your part in this war."

"War! What war?"

"You need to wake up."

"No!" I shout, trying to make her understand, "I can't wake up. I can't go back." Tears start dripping from my eyes and down my cheeks.

"I really am sorry, but you have whole life in front of you as you're only ten years old. I know you aren't being treated well but you are an important part to this war. And..."

"What war? What does this have to do with me?" I cut her off.

She ignores my questions and continues on talking, "You have water in your lungs and you are struggling to breathe through it."

I snort, anger emerging, "Well, I'm not a fish."

"No, but můžete být mořská panna." She murmurs to herself.(you can be a mermaid.)

"Again, can't understand the language. And who are you?" I ask, immediately remembering she didn't tell me her name.

She straightens up, "Raylana Christina Sullivan, I'm giving you the power of water, so you will be able to do your part in this war. But to balance out your powers so you don't get overwhelmed, you will have every all the advantages that comes with the power of seas, but you won't be able to produce water but only control." Her hands start glowing as she starts chanting in a different language.

Realization smashes in me and I start looking for an exit. The glowing grows brighter and brighter and her chanting turns louder. Suddenly, the room submerges in light and darkness greets me.

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"She's awake!" Groggily I open my eyes and see my mum standing in front of me. Tears spring in my eyes, "No! No!" An overwhelming sensation gathers in my chest and up my throat. A bucket appears in my vision and I vomit in it. I'm back in the devil's den.