Bound to The Enemy of My Mate
Listless children sat in the murky shallows, barely splashing their feet.
But the water was wrong. It wasn't clear. It had a strange, milky opacity, and a faint, rainbow-colored film, like oil, clung to the rocks along the edges. Thane crouched, his movements fluid and cautious. He dipped his fingers in and immediately jerked his hand back, shaking it off as if burned. He brought his wet fingertips to his nose and recoiled, his face contorting in disgust.
"Tainted," he spat, wiping his hand violently on his trousers. "Poisoned. It smells of bitter chemicals and rot."