The Gathering (Darkness Rising 1)

When she didn't reply, I dove. As I went under, panic hit, like it always did--my gut telling me this was wrong, dangerous, get above the surface or I'd drown.

The normally clear lake was brown, churned up dirt swirling through it, and I couldn't see.

I shot up from the water.

"Help!" I shouted. "Someone! Please!"

I dove again, blind and flailing, praying my hand or foot would brush Serena.

She's been under too long.

No, she hadn't. Serena could hold her breath forever. Last year, we'd timed her at a swim meet and she'd stayed under for five minutes before the coach ran over and made her stop.

I couldn't hold my breath even for a minute. I bobbed up again, gasping.

"Maya!"

I followed the shout to the shore. The sun glinted off the wet rocks and I blinked. Then I glimpsed blond wavy hair and a flash of tanned skin as Daniel yanked off his shirt.

"It's Serena," I shouted. "She went und--"

My kicking leg caught on something. I tried to pull, but it tightened around my ankle. I went under, screaming. Water filled my mouth as it closed over my head.

I fought, kicking and twisting, trying to grab at whatever had me. My fingers brushed something soft, and my brain screamed "Serena!" I tried to grab her, but I was dragged deeper and deeper until my feet hit the bottom. Then, whatever was wrapped around my ankle fell away.

I pushed up through the murky water. But as soon as my feet left the lake bottom, I couldn't tell where the surface was anymore. Everything was

dark. My lungs burned. My head throbbed. I kept fighting my way up. Oh God, let it be up.

Finally I broke through. I felt the sunlight and the slap of cool air, only to go back down again. I pushed up, but couldn't stay afloat, couldn't seem to remember how to tread water. My whole body ached. Staying above was such a struggle, it was almost a relief when the water closed over my head again, peaceful silence enveloping me.

I had to struggle not to give in, had to force my arms and legs to keep churning, get my head back above--

Arms grabbed me. They seemed to be pulling me under and I struggled against them.

"Maya!" Daniel shouted. "It's me."

I didn't care. I needed him to let go of me, leave me be, let me breathe. He gripped me tighter, wrapping one strong arm around me as he swam.

I told Daniel to let me go, that I could make it to shore, just find Serena, please find Serena. He thought I was still panicking and kept hauling me along until, finally, he heaved me onto the rocks.

"Serena," I gasped. "Get Serena."

He hoisted himself up and scanned the shore and I realized he hadn't understood. Oh God, he hadn't heard me.

"Serena!" I yelled. "She went under. I was trying to find her."

His eyes widened. He twisted and plunged into the lake. I huddled there on a rock, coughing, as he swam out. I watched him dive and come back up. Dive and come back up. Dive and come back up ...

They dragged the lake that afternoon and found Serena's body. Her death was ruled an accidental drowning. A healthy teenage girl, captain of the swim team, had drowned. No one knew how it happened. An undertow. A cramp. A freak panic attack. There were plenty of guesses but no answers.

Soon all that was left of Serena was a monument in the school yard. The town moved on. I didn't. Something had happened in that lake, something I couldn't explain. But I would. One day, I would.

ONE

I STOOD UNDER THE tree and glared up at the three-legged bobcat.

"I'm not getting you down. You're stuck until I get back from school. Maybe that'll teach you a lesson."