Chapter 7 - Down Once More
In the protracted moment between catching his toe on an unseen rock and plunging face-first into the lake, Raoul had to acknowledge that he might have overdone it with the liquor.
Of course he wanted to live, but he was so very tired. As the foul, frigid water began to rise above his head, he felt himself surrender. His hands ceased scrabbling at the slick, mossy stone and his legs became heavy and limp. It really wasn't worth the panic, the effort. Not when the numbness spreading through his chest felt so comfortingly empty.
He let go, and the world turned black.