The Shattered Genesis

  ***

  “LET GO!” Violet was screaming desperately. I kicked and fought for the surface, trying to break free from the serpent that was pulling me into the depths of the dark water in which I had become completely submerged.

  “BRYNNA! BRYNNA!” Penny’s terror was yet another monstrous water-beast that was wrapping me in the iron grip of its tentacles.

  “NO! PENNY!” Violet again, but this time her tears were choking off her words. I had to break free of the haze, of the waking dream I was stuck in to save her. I had to get to her and Penny. There was no knowing what Don and his people were capable of doing.

  “Just listen to me, listen…” Quinn’s voice, begging shamelessly for an audience and a chance to explain. It was useless.

  “Where is she?!” Elijah was furious as he demanded the details of my whereabouts and an assurance that I was, at the very least, still alive. God or Gods bless him.

  “Hey, she’s coming out of it. Don!” An unfamiliar voice belonging to a young man who had just realized that I was not nearly as unconscious as I appeared to be... My mind had risen up for one brief moment to alert itself that Elijah, Penny, and Violet were near.

  The coconut juice, as sweet and pure as any endless dream, rained down my throat in a flood more dangerous than its delicious taste would have me believe.

  I fell back into darkness.