Jasper fell.
Green, brown, and sunlight flashed as he bounced and tumbled and rolled down the steep decline. He cried out. He smashed into rocks and tree trunks. But none stopped or even slowed his fall. Pain smashed into him from all sides, over and over.
His head smacked into something. “Ah!” He squeezed his eyes shut.
Then, for a second, nothing. He felt nothing around or beneath him as he fell. Just air.
Splash.Cold water enveloped him.
He opened his eyes. Thick darkness surrounded him. He held his breath as he kicked, trying to reach the surface of the water.
But which way is up?
It was so dark. He swam, not knowing which way he was going. Fear gripped his throat and squeezed. His lungs ached, begging for breath.
He swung his arms and legs, desperate to reach the surface. He needed to breathe! If he didn’t, he’d drown.
He tried to keep holding his breath. But his lungs screamed. He kept pushing, kept fighting, kept swimming, kept trying to find the surface.
But to no avail.
I’m going to drown!
His lungs burned. And as he held his breath, the ache for air grew stronger and stronger until he couldn’t bear it a second longer.
He opened his mouth. He inhaled, sucking water into his lungs.
Then there was darkness.
Then nothingness.
Chapter
Two
Heat exploded in Jasper’s chest, spreading through his body. He sucked air into his aching lungs and felt them expand.
He coughed. He spluttered. He rolled onto his side, expelling the water from his lungs. Then he lay back on the ground. Water no longer engulfed him.
Someone touched him. Something soft and warm caressed his cheek. Jasper stilled. He leaned into the touch. And he felt…
Safe.
Loved.
He opened his eyes, needing to see who was there. Light blinded him, scorching his retinas and forcing him to shut his eyes. But for a brief second, he saw a shadowy form above him, blocking the light.
He shuddered. His head ached. His lungs ached. His entire body ached. Exhaustion took him under.
“Jasper! Jasper!” Leo screamed.
Jasper blinked his eyes open. He flinched at the brightness.
Leo leaned right over him, wild eyes searching his face. He gripped Jasper’s cheeks.
“Shit. I thought I lost you, Jas.” Tears streamed down his twin’s face. “When I saw you fall off the edge…” He let out a breath, body sagging. “I thought I lost you.”
“I’m sorry.” There had been someone there. Jasper was sure of it. But who were they? And where were they? Or had that all been a dream?
