Big Salmon Lake cutback

She wanted to go further into the lake. When her eyes closed, she imagined herself being pulled below and feeling the cold sweep over her. Some part of her yearned for it in a way that was beyond any thought. It was an instinct.

"Callyope?"

She found his voice was sharper than any kiss of cold water.

The Nuiruk did not remove herself from the waters. Only blindly stared over her shoulder at him with a nearly blank look. Nearly. There was a curious glimmer in her gaze and the silent wondering of how he was here.

Maybe why, more than how.