In the pool, Bernice found herself losing her breath. Her body burned from the poison mixed with the sting of fuel that clung to the water.
Her lungs tightened with the crushing loss of oxygen. She swam desperately to the edge of the pool, fingers brushing salvation, but just as her hand gripped the tiles, her strength faltered. She slipped back into the depths with a splash.
Her consciousness blurred, slipping away like sand through open hands.
She stretched feebly toward Cassandra, but her mother could do nothing despite being at the edge of the pool because her own body was trembling, too weak to drag Bernice to safety.
"Jessica… you will pay for this. I will make sure of that," Bernice whispered, her voice broken, barely audible.
Cassandra's head snapped toward Jessica. Droplets clung to Jessica's clothes from the violent splash, but her cold expression was sharper than the water dripping down her dress.
"Do you want to get her killed?" Cassandra demanded.
