She broke the surface of the water, her hair pouring down her shoulders and back in watery streams.
The man sputtered and coughed as he sat up. “Fall. But I suppose you already know that now.”
He was far too close. She gripped the sides of the tub, preparing to launch herself out, but the man curled his arms around her.
“Please stay, Carissa. Please. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
The hot press of his body against hers caused fear to clamp her throat. He was smothering her; she couldn’t breathe. She threw a punch at his chest, and he loosened his hold on her, though not so much that she could escape.
She lashed out and kicked as best she could, until the water churned with her thrashing.
“Carissa.”
His voice quivered with emotion, and she stopped struggling. Never had she heard a sound so steeped in grief, not the cry of a lone wolf, nor the wail of the wind, nor the weeping of an orphan.
She tilted her head up, and water trickled from her hairline down her cheeks. The moonlight painted the man’s face in silver. His eyes sparkled with sorrow, and his expression was softer than she’d expected.
Her heart gave a lurch of recognition. “Elon?”
Hannah
March 17, 2018 - 6:21 am ·I feel like crying… Carissa is still so broken!
Elizabeth Newsom
March 23, 2018 - 8:05 pm ·I know… but she’ll get better.