Gilded Bay Everything Left to Hold Onto

iaghe did not dream.

it was only dark. quiet. 

she could not have said how long she'd been lost to the void when the touch of something against her chest startled her awake. 

a light pressure but felt all the same. 

baby blues snapped open, the woman reeling back -- paws scrabbling as her weight shifted back onto her hindquarters. ready to run. 

one. her vision pinholed with black.

two. her heart gave a sickening lurch.

three. her bloodstream sang with the heady swirl of nauseating adrenaline.

the sight of him slipping from his place near her chest sent a bolt of panic through her. at first glance, the sea sprite did not know him. some sound began to build in her throat, only to die. 

a heartbeat passed. 

a memory emerged from the heavy veil that shrouded her mind. it was a blurry one but it was enough. 

stumbling along the shore. being hoisted into the air.

the ghost's tongue rasped along her chops in a nervous, submissive manner -- a flash of black and white like the rest of her skin. 

the glacial freeze of her gaze softened just a fraction, remaining glued to him cautiously in spite of the logic that prevailed: if he'd wanted to hurt her, he'd already had his opportunity. 

her tail beat twice against the stone in apology as she hunkered, perched in the same spot she'd retreated to. guarded curiosity regarded him within her tired gaze.