Dedicated to @labellemort :D (I'll dedicate it properly whenever it lets me)

1) Part One

~Three years later~

I sat up in my bed, sweat pouring down my face.

"Oh God," I released through a heavy breath as I awoke. My nightmare was always the same, I was always being pushed off the same diving board by an unknown force and left to drown in the swimming pool.

Looking around my room, my glance rested on the clock. It was only four in the morning. I decided to unburden myself of my thoughts by writing in my diary. Switching on the light, I reached for some pen and paper, before jotting down my thoughts. This time I made sure to include everything.

I hastily wrote the date as I trembled, ignoring the way the ink smeared slightly.

Dear diary,

I used to think that someone my age was too old to write down their thoughts like this, but that was a few years ago.

I know I've already told you countless times before, but I feel I must write it all again - if only to keep the nightmares out of my head for a few days.

Three years ago something happened that changed my life.

It made me open my eyes and realise that life isn't always what it seems. Instead I've learned the horrible truth: we live in a dangerous place, and there are things out there that the rational mind can't even begin to fathom. Luckily for most, these things are hidden away from sight.

I lived in the light just like everyone else and I was happy. Ignorance really is bliss. But when I was sixteen that changed. The shadows came for me, and I found myself being brushed by darkness.

I'd been on the brink of death on the 19th of March. Amazingly, some people seem to move on from these things, but others don't. I fall into the second category.

It was a diving accident. Before the incident I used to be one of the best swimmers in the county, but now I won't go anywhere near open water.

At seven am that day I was resuscitated for the second time. That's when I saw him.

He'd been there standing tall and proud; waiting for me to come. Giant wings had protruded from his back, but the look on his face as I moved towards him is what I will never forget. He'd been yearning for me to go to him - it had been as plain as day to see. Everyday I think of him. I shouldn't, but I do.

And then I'd woken up.

Life had gone back to normal (normal enough) and I'd fully recovered from my fractured spine. I'd healed quickly and was physically able to dive just six months after the accident, but I never did. Sometimes a sense of darkness still overcomes me even now - almost as if it's trying to reach out to me. It's frightening and strange. All I know is that the accident is linked to this feeling, I just don't know to what extent.

Still, I've often wondered about that boy. I haven't seen him since - not even in my dreams where sometimes I yearn for him. I wish I could say that after a year or so I'd learned to forgot about him, but every night he's been the only thing keeping me awake.

For me to move on from this, one thing must be done: I need answers.

I don't think I can live without them.

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