I leaned my head on my shoulder, watching the water flow on the grass.

Water.

There was a lake. Huh, I never noticed it before.

Probably because I was running for my life.

I glance back at the cave, and winced once I saw all the blood.

I already made my peace, but the fear was crawling back in me slowly..

I had to end it now. On my own terms.

I urged my numb muscles to move, I used all the strength I had in me to lean forward. I had to fall, to drown, to die.

I fall.

I couldn't think, hear, see or smell anything. I just felt.

I felt the water rush through my lungs, as it engulfs me.

I felt the pain from my wound go numb.

Then I was gone.

But I wasn't dead.

I woke up. Like I always do, to face another day. But this time, something felt different. I was used waking up feeling pain or hunger, but I didn't. Not this time. I felt satisfied.

It was like being alive for the first time.

I wanted to keep living this moment, to savor it.

I didn't want to open my eyes. Ever.

This was heaven.

But something felt wrong. Beneath all the joy and relief I felt, there was a small stinging doubt. Where was I before this? How did I get here? Did I die?

But this felt too empty to be really the afterlife. Somehow, I knew there was more to it that that. I was supposed to see my father, to tell him how my life has been. I wanted to see my mother for the first time.

No, this couldn't be heaven.

I ignored the joy now, feeding the doubt, becoming more aware by the second.

I was in the water.

Water.

That's right, I jumped in.

In the lake. It seems I'm still there.

I have see. I have to know where I am.

I felt like I was drugged.

I couldn't stay there, just floating. I have to get money, so I can buy some meat. I have to find water. I have to get a cloak, as mine is ruined.

I have to survive

And for the first time, I dared open my eyes.

Thousands of copses floated around me in the green water.

All of them tied to a cord.

I shuddered at the horror of this.

And then I realised I too, was tied to a cord. Right at my heart.

It was so frightening, that I couldn't think. I had to get out. I waved my arms, trying to climb up, but to no avail. The cord was too strong. I had to rip it out. The axe, I thought as I recovered partially from the initial shock. I slipped my arm in my cloak, which now resembled a piece of cloth, and got the axe out. It was a small axe, meant for throwing, but I had a feeling it would be enough.

So I started swinging it, right at the same spot, biting through this bizarre material. It wasn't like anything I had seen, it was silver and soft, but very strong. I lost track of time as I bit through it, inch by inch. But I never faltered.

And finally, it was gone.

I was floating up.

I no longer felt drugged, I was free.

"Interesting... it seems that someone got out" The voice rang throughout the water, renfldering me deaf for a moment. It seemed omnipotent, that voice.I Couldn't hide from it.I knew It wasn't angry, it was Simply amused.

"Ahh, the young one. Well this is a surprise. Tell me child, how did you manage to resist the urge to stay here, asleep so peacefully?"

What? I didn't resist anything. I just to survive.

"I see... so it was your natural instinct. Well I'm quite sure you're very confused at this point, but worry not, for I shall let you go. You see, I, the spirit of this lake, choose humans who lost hope, as in, gave up on life, and use them to feed. As you can see, there have been an extraordinary increase of them lately, and they are all happy right now. None of them tried to resist me. Until now that is. It seems I was quite wrong in bringing you here. clearly, you are more than qualified to live outside, and I have no lack of food.

So, I'll let you go. It would be interesting to watch you, I'm sure. I would like to see where this uncontrollable determination brings you in a few years."

And so I was out. Not yet understanding what I just heard, I stare up at the sky. It was dawn. So sunny, so beautiful.

I'm back.