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Finally, my survival instinct kicked in and I concentrated on scanning the horizon for land. These

currents would dump me on a shore eventually, I reasoned, I just had to be on the lookout.

Focusing my energy felt good. I was a survivor, I could live through this.

The first time I felt something brush my leg I screamed. Quickly, I realized it was my motion that was

attracting whatever kept touching me. I floated on my back and tried to move as little as possible. I

looked at the stars and did that breathing Rose had taught me.

The panic started to crest again. My options were not looking good. I could drown, be eaten, or die

of dehydration. Fighting hard, I concentrated on watching the stars and breathing deep.

Looking to my right I thought I saw a light, so I moved and my feet sank into the water. I kicked a

little to get higher. It was my imagination or the reflection of the moon. Nothing was out there, it

was just me.

The touch on my leg was firmer this time. I stilled all my movement, but it was too late. I screamed

and thrashed as something wrapped around my lower leg. Slowly it started to pull me down. I took

a big breath just before my head was pulled under. Some part of me realized it would probably be

the last air I would ever take.

I tried to fight, but it was useless. I was dragged deeper and deeper. Whatever was wrapped around

my leg was thick as my arm and slimy. It had a hold on me like I'd never felt before. Little stinging

pricks went around my leg everywhere the thing touched.

Now I knew what would kill me, drowning. I fought the urge to breath; it was so strong. I needed air

badly. That first breath underwater would be my last. I put it off as long as I could

I gave in to the urge and felt the ocean wash into my lungs. The pain was immense, but it would be

over soon. My throat slammed shut and I struggled with the lack of air. My body writhed in the

water. The blackness overtook me and I was grateful for it finally.

I dreamed of Master Kein in that horrible abyss. He was in my face, his hair floating like a halo

around his head. Next thing I knew he was forcing a thick piece of slime between my lips. The thing

he stuffed in my mouth was gross. It was so nasty and it was moving like worms. This was a horrible

way to die. Drowning while worms crawl into you.

The worms were moving everywhere inside of me. They had long since forced past my gag reflex

deep into my throat. I felt them in my nose, too. I tried to cough, but I couldn't. Really, I just wanted

the worms out of me.

My strength started to return, it felt like I was breathing again. Reaching up I tried to grab the slimy

junk out of my mouth. Now Master Damien was right in front of me, his hair was plastered to his

face. He shouted at me to leave it. He held me in an iron grip.

My vision blurred and blackened for another moment. Master Bane was before me now feeling over

my heart and shouting. I couldn't understand him. This was such a horrible, confusing dream.

Wind was whipping past my face; there isn't wind underwater. I was laying on metal. In my dream I

wasn't underwater anymore. A sharp pain got my attention and I looked toward my leg. A giant

pink mass was wrapped around it and stuck to it. It's tail end flopped and moved down by my foot. I

tried to scream or move away, but strong hands held me down.

I watched as a man I didn't recognize brought what looked like a fiery brand down over the pink

mass on my leg. Pain rocketed through me and I saw the burned part fall away. The brand was

reheated out of my sight and then he placed it back over the thing covering me. I'd never felt such

burning as when he brought the fiery metal down over the mass, but each time he moved it away a

little more fell off my leg.

Looking up I saw my owners standing over me. They looked like they were all seething mad and

soaked to the skin. The pain radiated up from my leg again and I watched the moon slowly fade out

of sight.

This was an awful nightmare, I just wanted it to end. Why couldn't I die like a normal person and not

have a nightmare first?

Finally, blackness took over and I welcomed the calm that it brought.

I was back in my owner's bed in the compound. My brain felt muddied and clouded. I was used to

waking slowly, but this level of confusion was annoying even for me. Turning my head slightly I saw

bright blue eyes and long blonde hair.

Master Evan was watching me with unfaltering attention. He lay on his side in the bed looking at

me. He had his head propped up on his hand as though he had been studying me for some time.

"So which horror is it to be this time, Ciara?" he asked brushing my hair off my forehead. "Though I

know it serves no purpose, I will tell you again, you are safe and we are real.”

What a bizarre thing to say.

I turned my head and saw the moon through the window. It was night. I couldn't figure how I got

here or where I was supposed to be. I didn't remember going to sleep and no one else was in bed.

The men slowly came into the bedroom and sat around me on the bed. They were all dressed in

their linen shifts. It must be bedtime. I couldn't figure out why I went to bed first.

"What has it said this time?" Master Damien asked taking a sip from the cup in his hands.

God, I was thirsty, so thirsty.

"Master Damien,” I pleaded and pointed to the cup. My voice was raspy.

"It recognizes you, brother,” Master Evan said as he helped me to sit up.

They held me up and let me drink. I felt weak and dizzy. Inside the cup was water, but it burned

going down. I coughed and sputtered, but I wanted more. I clung to Master Damien's arm so he

wouldn't take the cup away. They fed me little sips until the thirst had gotten better.

I tried to move my leg and screamed as pain shot through me. Jerking the covers away I screamed

again. My right leg was tattooed and raw looking. It looked like an intricate snake wrapping around

my entire calf on the right.

"Ah, itis to be the waking dream of the tentacle again,” said Master Bane quietly.

"It doesn't have you, Ciara," Master Christof said petting my shoulder. "We burned it off of your leg,

there is no tentacle stuck to you. You aren't drowning. We cut the fleint's appendage and pulled you

up," he said.

"What are you talking about?" I grated out. "Why did you mark my leg like this, Master Christof?"

They all just stared at me for a moment. "Is it awake?" Master Damien asked contemplatively.

"Ciara," Master Kein asked, "where are you?"

"In the bedroom," I answered confused.

"Do you know who we are?" Master Christof asked looking hopeful.

"You are my owners," I croaked out.

They cheered and slapped each other on the shoulders. It was an impromptu celebration going on

around me.

Master Bane leaned forward and kissed the top of my head, "Although I'd like to whip you raw

before we take you to the village, I'm glad to see you back," he said smiling.

"Why do you want to whip me? Why did you mark me? Why are you so happy? What is going on,

Masters?" I asked in rapid fire succession.

"Ah, the questions,” Master Damien said laughing

"And what's wrong with my voice? Why do I hurt? What happened today?" I continued to ramble