The Ocean’s City
Chapter 68

The sound of the wind chimes picked up. First, they were like homemade chimes on a summer evening with a soft breeze giving a reprieve to the scorching day that fainted away with the sunset. A quick memory of me sitting on the porch playing with the beetles I collected in the yard as my grandmother rocked back and forth on the rocking chair, smiling at me with that wholesome look only the older generation ever seemed to wear. A false sense of security warmed me as Hutson maneuvered me into nothingness.

Then the chimes picked up suddenly like a tornado was about to twist its way right through where we stood. I couldn’t see anything but Hutson. I couldn’t feel anything either. All I could hear were the wind chimes, which disorientated me. The sound gave me a false sense that we were moving in one direction and then the next, which we very well could be, but then again, it felt like we weren’t moving at all.

My eyes constantly looked through the darkness. It was so dark that my eyes played tricks on me. I swatted my hand before my face, worried that something would smack right into me without warning. Then there was a light.

I thought it was a lamp for a moment, but it glowed small like the fireflies in the swamp, and I knew better than to confuse the two now. I stared at it, not knowing if it was a figment of my imagination or if it was something. It didn’t move or show any signs that we were getting any closer, but the airless air felt more humid, and after several moments passed, the light slowly grew.

So did the wind chimes. Now they clanked so loudly it was like a rushing waterfall. The light grew but showed no signs of where we were going. I felt excited as I thought we would go to a world of pure white. That thought seemed very consoling.

We approached the light, and I closed my eyes, wondering if I would feel pure bliss, but my face plunged into the water. My eyes burst open, and I gasped for air. Hutson held my hand tightly as he tugged me along to what seemed to be the surface. With my mind full of worry about drowning and the urgent need to breathe, I kicked my legs and waved my free hand with full force.

The whiteness turned to water bubbles caused by some constant splash, plunging downward, causing an impossible current to swim against. If it weren’t for Hudson’s hold on me, it would suck me under.

As he tugged my arm, pulling me up with him, I tried to find any signs that we were near the surface, but all I found were layers of white bubbles. My lungs begged for air. A blurred figure of a face came into sight through the bubbles. The familiar jawline and mesmerizing eyes held my gaze sternly, looking down at me.

Dalton.

I kicked my legs even faster to get to him, but the image became more apparent as I got closer, and it wasn’t Dalton. The hair had hints of grey, and the facial features were slightly aged with refined wrinkles. I stopped where I was, too shocked to keep swimming and not knowing how to go around him.

How was he here? I saw moments ago Dalton killing him. Unless… I glared at him. Hoping it was far from the truth.

Andrewka laughed, sounding crystal clear although we were still underwater. What did he do to Dalton? His hand reached for my cheek. It felt warm and dry. Then he leaned forward. “Such a beautiful, innocent little dove. Not to worry, I am not done with you yet.” I kept my stare stone cold, knowing this man caused all the complications in my life. I wouldn’t dare allow him to see any hint of confusion.

He moved forward as if to kiss me. I tried to push him away, but it was like fighting a ghost, and the current of the water was relentlessly holding me in one horrific spot. I never felt his lips. His image dispersed with the white bubbles, reminding me I was still underwater.

My eyes searched everywhere for him, but he was nowhere in sight. Was he just an illusion? A trick of my brain? Was my brain malfunctioning due to the lack of oxygen? I had completely stopped trying to swim to the surface, and Hutson gave frugal attempts to tug my arm. My brain demanded air. My mouth wanted desperately to open and try to get oxygen. I fought to continue to the surface, but as I felt Hutson’s hand leave mine, I lost all consciousness.

Everything became blank.

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