Days blurred together in that darkness.
The lake became colder and quieter with every passing hour.
Even the wind began to weaken. Lily had to force the vessel forward with increasing effort, as though the air itself had grown reluctant to move.
Creatures still attacked us from time to time, though even those encounters began to feel strange.
Some monsters came from below, vast shapes erupting from the water with teeth and fins and armored scales, but others were far less corporeal.
There was this one time when I sat down and had a long conversation with Alexia about her family. It was completely dark, so of course I could not see her.
We spoke for several minutes while leaning against the railing. Then I walked to the other side of the deck… and found Alexia standing there.
When I asked her about it, she swore she had never had that conversation. She had not even moved from her position during that hour.
Countless incidents like that happened to others as well.
