Sophie swam in and out of consciousness in a sea of darkness, where the decision of swimming deeper or waking up lingered. Neither sound very appealing. The enemies were still out there. The sea of darkness was almost... comforting. Floating her seemed like the best choice. But... her friends were there, begging for her to wake up. Her family was there too, and they were worth everything.

But the kidnappers were still out there, her powers which were strong and sometimes uncontrollable and confusing were there as well. Everything that had happened so recently, that had brought her so close to death, was still out there.

The decision of swimming deeper started to swarm her muddled and tired thoughts. It sounded so nice... to just swim away from it all. But through the darkness, there was something so much better. Biana's lovely smile. Fitz's teal eyes. Dex's dimples. Keefe's smug grin. Marella's braids. Edaline and Grady's faces when they tell her they love her.  Bronte's stern voice and pointy ears. Kenric's huge smile. Oralie's rosy cheeks. Alden's accented voice saying, "There's no reason to worry." 

No reason to worry.

She repeated the phrase in her mind. 

No reason to worry. No reason to worry. No reason to worry.

There is no reason to worry. She is strong. She could do this. Her kidnappers could not control her. The darkness pulled at her. But she would make her decision.