Just as Thalina opened her mouth to argue—because really, how could they be so sure it was a guardian watching her?—a strong force yanked her down.
Her breath caught in her throat. She knew it, this wasn't no guardian, and now she was going to be eaten.
For a split second, time froze—the shimmering lake above her wavered like liquid glass, the world of stags and soft grass bending under the distortion.
Then she plunged deeper.
The cold rushed in.
She kicked wildly, arms thrashing, but the grip around her waist was unyielding.
She tried to scream, but only bubbles burst from her lips, swirling upward, vanishing into the abyss.
The light above shrank as she was dragged farther into the unknown.
Up on the surface—
The stags watched.
Unbothered.
"Well," the sassy stag from earlier mused, flicking a perfectly white ear. "If I was an alien, I'd be prettier than that." She said with a hint of nonchalance making her come off a bit jealous.
