It was a beautiful day out today. The grass was green and the water was so clear you could see the bottom and the little fishes that swam between our toes. The sun was hot and bright above us. My parents and I picnicked on the end of a lake and I was taking a swim in the warm water after a filling lunch. My parents looked so in love. I've never seen them that way. And they doted on me like I was the only child they ever could love. Didn't I have a brother? Caleb? Wasn't that his name? I'm starting to forget. It's so peaceful here. How could I ever think of anything else than the peace that fills me.

I stopped mid-stroke. Tobias. A face of a handsome man with piercing blue eyes filled my vision. A pang of hurt hit my heart and slowly died away. I shrugged in the water and continued to swim as the feeling of despair left me.

"Don't go too far, Beatrice!" my mother yelled as I swam leisurely out into the water. She immediately started laughing at something my father whispered in her ear. She looked so much like a girl in love for the first time. They were beautiful together. I try so hard to remember the information that David gave me about my parents. David. Hmm. Another name that brings back feelings of dread, but the feeling flies away as if it had wings. The feeling of peace fills me once again and I continue to swim further out.

I lay on my back, looking up in to the blue sky. The water lapped around me as I floated at the surface. The water even felt warm this far out. I looked down towards my toes to still see my parents laughing and it makes me happy. I feel like I have led a life of servitude to be awakened in this glorious place where nothing can touch me.

I turned over on my stomach and pressed further out. My mother's warning blaring in my head. Where could I possibly go? It's not like there was another place beyond this lake, where we have sat for what seems like forever and I am content to let time roll by slowly. I wasn't afraid of the water or its depths.

Suddenly, the water started to turn dark and muddy as I swam further out. I turned around to see the shore gone. I turned in circles in the water, but I could just barely hear my mother's voice searching for me. What was happening? Where was the clear warm waters? Now they are cold and I shiver in the water.

"Momma! I'm here!" I screamed, but she didn't hear me. I felt alone out in the water. Vulnerable. I could see the clouds starting to hide the sun and soon all light was gone.

Something pulled at me under the water. I screamed. I couldn't see anything since there was no longer any light. I felt something grasp my legs and pulled me under. Something was trying to drown me. I kicked and kicked, but couldn't get free. I didn't even get a substantial breath before the water rushed up my nose and into my mouth as it took my screams and pleas for help. My lungs began to burn from the lack of oxygen as they filled up with the muddy brown water. This is what drowning felt like. Not like a simulation, it felt like fire and there was no escape. I let go of my fear and just fell into the depths, never returning to the surface.