Voice erupted around me.

“Is she dead?”

“Where did you find her?”

“Do CPR!”

“Get the lifeguard!”

Who was hurt?

After a few seconds of the spiraling in the darkness, I felt myself slowly crawling out.

“She’s awaking!”

I wasn’t awake?

Then, I was aware of a burn in my lungs. I couldn’t help it; a scream burst threw my lungs and my eyes flew open. Water spilled out onto my chest and fell to the sand I was laying in.

“Where’s the lifeguard?!”

Hands slid under my body and a smell hit me.

The ocean?

I gazed up at the faces holding me. Who were they?

I stopped thinking to check the protective wall around my head. It was hard, no cracks. Good. I don’t want anyone taking advantage of me.

They slipped me into someone else’s arms. It was a man. His face was clean shaven and his eyes were grey, but they seemed bright. His skin was a nice light tan and he was muscular.

He put me back down on the cool sand. I slid my fingers in and out of the sand as he pounded on my chest.

What was he doing?

Suddenly, more water spilled out from my lips and I began coughing.

Sirens, then, pounded in my ears. How close were they?

Something was under me before I was lifted up.

They brought me to a building. They glided so fast, I couldn’t see where I was. But as soon as I was inside, I knew it was a hospital. The smell of the sick made my stomach churn.

I was put on a lumpy bed and a needle was immediately jammed into my forearm. I began to feel dizzy. Sleepy, even. Then, I was in the same darkness as before.

“Ms. Black?” Someone tapped me on the shoulder.

My eyes fluttered open and a man was leaning over the edge of the bed.

“Ms. Black? How do you feel?”

“What? Err, fine.”

He took off his stethoscope and put it in his ears on the cold part on my chest.

“Deep breath, please.”

I sucked in and exhaled.

“Good.” He slung it around his neck again. “No more water.”

“Water?”

“You had both your lungs full of water.” His statement was more of a question.

“I did?”

“Yes. Luke helped to get some out.” He raised an eyebrow.

“Dr. John? We have another patient. 3^rd degree burns.” A nurse poked in.

Dr. John left swiftly.

How did I get water in my lungs? That’s not possible. Before the darkness I can’t remember anything, but I was sure that I wasn’t by water at all. Positive of that.

Did someone try to get rid of me? They didn’t do well at that. I’m still here. Or am I?

What if I just imagined being saved? Coming here. What if I’m a ghost now? How would I cross over?

Gingerly, I poked myself.

No, I’m solid. Not a ghost.

What happened?

“Um, nurse. I have something to show you.” Someone muttered outside my room.

“Yes?”

“We had Rosaline Black here last summer.”

“And?”

“She died.”