Blood's Thicker Than Water

Prologue

At fourteen, Tari knew a lot of things: she knew that just because someone said they loved didn't mean they actually did; she knew that sometimes it only took one song to make a person feel better; she knew how to drive a car, even with gears.

She also knew that if she didn't get out of this car, she would drown.

The water was coming in fast. She unbuckled her seatbelt, desperately trying to open the car door. Deep in the recesses of her mind, past her panic-driven thoughts, she remembered something about not being able to open the doors of a car when it landed in water before it filled right to the top. Yet it didn't stop her from trying.

The water was up to her neck now. Kneeling, she forced her head to the top to get oxygen. "Mom!" she yelled. "Mom!"

"Tari!" Looking over to the driver's seat, she could not see her mother. She looked round, the water making harder for her to move.

"Mom!" She could feel herself growing frantic. The small pocket of air in the car was rapidly filling up with water, and Tari knew that she needed to get out of the car. But I'm not leaving without Mom!

Now she tilted her head, allowing her nose and mouth to get air. She put her hand on the door handle, ready to get out once the car was filled with water. Once she got out, she would go to the door on the other side and find her mother.

Taking a huge breath as the water finally filled with car, she pushed herself under the water. Her clothes were surprisingly heavy, and she had to use all her energy to push the door open. She felt a surge of water push forward, but managed to slip outside.

Her eyes stung from the open water, and more than anything she wanted to close them. But instead she forced them open, feeling her way round the car.

She thought she must have been dreaming, because the car door was open. Tari stared at it, curling her fingers round the frame. She wouldn't leave me, would she? Maybe she's looking for me! Tari turned round, searching for her mother. Maybe –

She felt pain in her back; the next thing she knew, she was back inside the car. Only this time, she had the distinct feeling she had been pushed. How else could she explain being flung into the car, causing her left arm and leg to cry out in pain. She tried to move her arm, but it was too much pain.

Tari also realised, with sudden clarity, that she was running out of air.

The girl didn't want to even leave the water, but knew that she needed air. Once she got more, she would come back down and continuing looking.

She tried to move out the car, but her arm... It refused to move. If she even tried, the pain...

This is it, she thought. I am going to die. Her lungs were tightening, crying out for air. It was going to be painful, she was going to die from lack of air. Water was going to fill her lungs; she was going to start coughing –

Something warm snaked round the bottom of her leg, and she felt herself being yanked out of the car. Because she was being pulled out so fast, Tari's mind did not go to saviours; instead she thought of monsters lurking deep in the lake, looking for a satisfying meal.

But to her surprise, Tari found herself breaking the surface. Without thinking or caring what was going on, she took in a gasp of air. Her lungs gave out in relief. She didn't comprehend that there were hands underneath her arms.

Tari couldn't remember what happened next. It was a few minutes later when she opened her eyes. Now she was on land, lying in the dirt. Cold, she thought, though her mind was slow. I'm too cold.

Her eyes widened: through blurry eyes she could make out a dark shape leaning down towards her. She wanted to scream; wanted to run, but her arm was still aching. Besides, she could barely feel her feet or hands, she was so cold.

The figure moved closer to her. "Tari? Tari, are you okay?"

Damon? Her heart slowed in relief. "Damon?"

He cradled her head in his hands. His blue eyes peered desperately down at her. "Tari, where's your mother?"

"Mom?" she whispered.

"Where's Rebecca?" Damon demanded, his voice slightly harsh.

Tari wanted to answer him, but she couldn't. She just felt so, completely, utterly tired.

I want Mom.

I want to sleep.

Where's Mom?

Sleep...

"Tari!" The girl felt something hit her on her cheek. Quickly she opened her eyes. She hadn't even realised she was asleep.

Damon lifted her up. He looked angry, desperate, and slightly worried. He looked different from his usual cocky, confident self – or did he? Was he always like this? It had been so long since she'd seen him. "Tari, I need you to tell me where you mother is."

Her vision was fading. With all the energy she could summon, she whispered, "I don't know."

That was the last thing she said before she blacked out.