#Chapter 350: Let Them See

“Just for the record, I won the race,” Bridget said, from the peripheral of the small crowd gathered around me. Nicholas was still holding me, with Veronica, Jessica, and Elva close by. Everyone, it seemed, was worried about me – all except Bridget, who said again, “Did you record my finish? Did you see it?” I ignored her, and focused instead on the closeness of Nicholas. His warmth. The strength of his arms around me, ever-protecting me. His scent, dimmed slightly by the salt water clinging to his skin and his hair. Why was he wet? He wasn’t in the race. It took me a long moment to realize that my vision of him in the water wasn’t a dream. He had truly been there. I didn’t understand how, but I knew, deep in my heart, that he was the one who stopped Ronan from killing me. And Veronica, who had so valiantly come to my rescue as well. I was eternally to them both. I trembled, remembering the cold depths of the ocean. I’d never been afraid of the dark or the cold or of wa