Late at night…
The study was cloaked in silence. Nathaniel had drifted into a sleep, slumped back in his chair, Nora's photograph pressed tightly against his chest.
But his sleep was anything but peaceful. In his dream, icy water closed over him, dragging him down. He thrashed wildly, arms striking the surface in desperation.
"Help!" he cried. On the bank of the lake stood a shadowed figure. His heart pounded harder as he cried out desperately, "I can't swim. Please, help me."
Yet the figure didn't move to help him. Then it turned and fled, leaving him to sink deeper.
His chest burned as though fire licked through his lungs. He was losing his strength speedily, sinking deeper into the water. Just as he thought he was going to die, a hand grabbed his wrist.
"Hold on. I'll get you out." That voice sounded sweet and reassuring.
Hope surged within him as he was yanked upward, water splashing around him.
