บท 102: Rushing to Theo

He tried to mimic the strokes of a swimmer he'd seen on TV, reaching out with his hands to push the water—only to let go of the float.

"Huh…?"

He found himself floundering as he plunged into the water.

Surprised, he struggled to stay afloat, but he couldn't rise to the surface. Meanwhile, his parents, still laughing, continued to pull only the float, drifting further and further away.

"Dad! Mom! Wait! I'm right here!"

He cried out with all his strength, but his voice turned to nothing but splashes and bubbles, and his parents didn't notice him at all.

"Wait! I'm right here! Don't leave me!"

They drifted farther away until, at last, they disappeared from his view.

"Dad! Mom! Please, save me!"

Damien reaching out his hand and suddenly found himself staring at the familiar canopy above his bed.

…A dream?

"That dream… It's been a while since I last had it."