She jumps up off the bench and looks past Scott. He tries to stop her, but she runs toward me.
I can see her clearly now.
You can do this, Nathan.
I pick up the pink rose I brought with me and swallow the rest of my nerves.
When she’s a few feet away, she sees me through the open window. Her eyes lock on mine. A flash of astonishment and disbelief. Then, she throws her hands over her mouth and collapses to her knees before she falls.
I’m out of the car and to her in seconds. The brunt of her fall was softened by the grass, but she passed out cold from the shock. I crouch to her and gently raise her head off the ground. Scott tries to take her from me, but I swipe his hands away.
“Let me help you check her out.” Reluctantly, I nod, and he quickly looks her over.
Her eyes flutter open, dazed. I’m startled when I recognize that they’re the exact shade of blue I remember from my dream—my memory.
“Nathan…” she says in a raspy whisper. She tries to reach out to me, but lets her arm fall and closes her eyes. I look up at Scott.
“She’s okay. Let’s get her inside. Do you want me to carry her?”
I shake my head. “I’ll do it.” Gently, I cradle her and stand. She’s light, warm, and soft. Following Scott to the small cottage on the side of the inn, I wait as he unlocks the door. I gaze at her face. Her full lips are slightly open, and I can see a sliver of her teeth and tongue. She’s making small, jerky movements with her arms and legs.
When we get into the cottage, I gently lay her on the bed and turn to Scott. “Go.”
“Are you sure…”
“Yes.” My voice is steadier than I feel. “I want to be alone with her. I know what to watch out for.”
He hesitates, searching my face, then nods. “I’ll be inside the inn if you need me. I’ve got some calls to make. A few people need to know. I’m not sure how long we can keep this quiet, but I’ll try.” He pauses, then presses something into my hand. “You may need this.”
The rose.
I put it on the nightstand by the bed, along with a glass of water, and pull up a chair. I watch her, clinging to the proof that she’s real, afraid that if I blink, she may disappear.
And then I wait.
My name is Nathan Carter.
I am an archaeologist and a cave diver.
I discovered Carter’s Drop.
I live on Maverick Key.
Crystal matters to me.
I repeat them once, twice, three times. Dr. Paulson’s five constants exercise. Five things that are true no matter what. Not memories, but facts I can verify and build from. I gently pick up her wrist, rubbing my thumb across the comforting stream of the pulse beneath her skin.
My name is Nathan Carter.
I’m in my old cottage.
Crystal is breathing.
My hand is on her wrist.
I’m not leaving her.
I stare at her face, so peaceful in sleep. Everything about her looks soft and bright.
