Chapter 8: Beneath the Surface

Rowena & Eric

Rowena

When the unseen hand wrapped around my ankle and pulled me into the water, I felt my world tilting around me. Before I knew it, I was completely submerged, my eyes squeezed shut and shock taking over my system.

But then, just as I had slipped below the surface of the water, my eyes shot open again and I saw the face of the person who had pulled me under.

Emma.

She quickly swam away, leaving me there as I struggled. I swore I saw a smirk on her face, too.

I choked on the water, fighting as hard as I could to get to the surface, but it was no use. The more I struggled, the more disoriented I came, sinking even deeper into the pool. My dress floated up around me, tangling around my limbs and dragging me down with its weight.

My hands reached up toward the surface as I continued to go down. Cold water rushed into my throat, and my calves started to cramp in agony, my muscles useless against the struggle.

I didn’t know how to swim, my dress was too heavy, and I was goi