AN: Sorry this was a lot shorter than the previous chapter. I would've written more, but it would've given too much away. Hope you like it!

Chapter 2: Drowning

Sometime earlier…

Outside, the weather had transformed from a beautiful summer day to a fierce, menacing one. Clouds had formed overhead, changing from big, white, fluffy clouds to dark gray, almost formless shapes. The gentle breeze grew stronger, and began to pummel anything and everything that got in its way.

The girl looked up as raindrops began to fall. "Perfect, just perfect," she mumbled sarcastically as she saw the weather had matched her current mood. She wiped away a stray tear with the back of her hand.

She flopped down on the sand, hugging her knees to her chest, and put her head down, trying to drown out the thoughts in her head. They were louder than ever now, almost as loud as the waves crashing against the shore.

"No…" the girl whimpered. "Stop…I can't take it anymore!" She cried out, as more tears fell. "Why me?"

She thought back to the time her parents had taken her here every summer for as long as she could remember. She remembered happier times, when she could swim in the ocean and be as free as the gulls soaring high above the water.

She stood up, making her decision. She'd go for a quick swim, clear her head, and everything would be OK again. At least until the next time she had to face them.

She pulled off her jacket, and some other pieces of clothing, before diving in. She sliced through the water, expertly cutting through the waves.

Soon, she began to feel herself relax, and she floated for a little while, as she enjoyed her break from reality.

She saw the moonlight's shimmery reflection off the water, and ruefully marveled at how it sparkled even when everything in her life was getting dimmer.

Then she heard it. Someone's voice, calling out in the darkness. She couldn't see who it was, but she knew someone was there. She froze, thinking one of her classmates had followed her to her favorite spot. Then she felt something crash into her from behind. The last thing she remembered was falling forward, slipping under the water's surface, just before she lost consciousness.