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As the last glimmer of light flickered out within me, I made one final plea into the darkness:

Please.

I’ll give anything to make him pay for this.

Anything.

Darkness.

Quiet.

Nothingness.

Then, something stirred below me.

Pressure built inside me, coiling its way around my body, through my hair, and sliding beneath my skin. It was as if I sensed something listening, tasting my sorrow, rage, and the will to survive. Against the dark and murky veil of the water, a golden light glowed from underneath, steadily rising towards me.

The water around me changed and thickened, pulsing with energy. Currents swelled and rippled, as if something massive had been disturbed from deep below. It was difficult to see, but I sensed whatever was coming.

Deep below, metal clanked and groaned as a large billowing mass of shadows slowly emerged, rising up and stopping in front of me.

A man?

At first, his form was difficult to make out, shrouded by the inky tendrils of shadows that writhed with a mind of their own. Muscular shoulders appeared first, far larger than a normal human's, but his face remained shrouded in shadows. I saw glimpses, peeks of sculpted and sharp angles of his face cutting through the darkness. Bands of shadow coiled and wrapped taut around his forearms, thicker than the rest, as if the darkness itself were holding him back. There was something beautiful about him, but I sensed something sinister and malevolent beneath it.

The water around me shook as his voice echoed inside my mind. “Such beautiful rage in such a broken little thing. Yes, you’re perfect.” His words lulled and embraced me in a warm golden light. “I can give you what you want…for a price.”

I had pleaded into the abyss for revenge, and now—something had answered.

The shadows around the man’s face remained, clinging and shrouding him in a murky haze. A deep golden blaze cut through the darkness, capturing my gaze. I stared back, mesmerized, and felt myself drawn into his golden pools.

His voice boomed, exploding around me, and I could have sworn the waves above thrashed.

“Oh my, such rage indeed…but tell me, darling—would you really give up…anything?” The question left his mouth with a wisp of golden light, flowing about my body, ensnaring my ears with an alluring tone. There was something in his voice, an amusement or fascination even. Like he found my desperation enticing. It unsettled me, but the truth was that I didn't care who the man was or what the price might be. No cost was too high for a person who’d already lost everything.

I spoke the words in my mind, putting as much power and intention behind them as I could.

I don't care what it costs.

I’ll do anything.

I want to make him suffer for what he did.

Take whatever you want.

Wisps of golden light furled and unfurled around my body, my words manifesting around me. Maybe all of this was just a delusion. Or maybe this was the afterlife. The man might be some kind of angel—or devil. Either way, I didn't know what he could want from me, but if it gave me a chance to get revenge for what Preston did to me, then I was going to take it.

The man drew closer as the water trembled around me, his coiling shadows trailing behind him as he slowly circled. His presence was everywhere, as if he were the ocean itself.

“Oh yes. I can give you exactly what you desire, my little drowned one. But…you must give me…everything in return.” His golden eyes beamed, and his voice sent a tremor through my bones. “Power, immortality, beauty, control, and so much more, my dear. You can indeed have the revenge you desire.” His voice trembled with pleasure.

I wanted it.

I needed it.

“But the world you knew? Gone. Love, your humanity, the normal life you’ve grown accustomed to—say goodbye to that. The only thing you’ll know will be the water, the darkness within it, and the hunger it will bring.” He paused, and I could sense his grin beneath the shadows. His words snaked themselves around me, coiling tightly. “I can't imagine you’d want that…right? No…you probably just want to let go, give in to the darkness and sink into the abyss.” Drifting away, he paused before turning back toward me, his head cocked. “But, your poor father…what will he do without you now?”

Even though I couldn't feel my body anymore, a phantom pain twisted through me from the thought. Of course, I wanted nothing more than to destroy Preston for what he’d done, but most of all, I didn't want to leave my Dad behind this way. If I did what the shadowed man asked, maybe I could at least see him again. Whatever the price was, I’d have to deal with it later.