I started writing a new book. I thought I would share the prologue.

PROLOGUE

The night was dark, and the city lights distant and dim on the horizon. Below her, the river channel surged and slapped against the concrete. Still, she stood there. Anya stood at the edge of the bridge. She stared into the horizon, trying to understand how she ended up here. She was standing over what would kill her and felt nothing. She knew it would hurt. She knew the current would take her far from here. Her body refused to react—no fear, no instinct, no warning at all.

Her mind flickered to the things she would lose. Her older brother, Kiyan. Her parents. The color the world used to have. A life she had already lost. The life she had fought to build. Even her passions had cooled, dull, joyless. She hadn’t painted in months. She had nothing left to give.

She closed her eyes. The wind struck her face, ripping her dark hair back. Cold cut through her skin. For the first time in a long while, she felt it. Relief settles in her chest. The pain loosened its grip—just for a moment. For once, she was certain. Soon, it would be over. There was no doubt left.

Adrenaline tremored through her limbs. Her hands clutched the cold railing. She slipped off her shoes and took one last look at the world. Cars rushed past behind her, none of them slowing. She climbed over the railing. Everything sharpened. Now, there was only her and the water. She inhaled. Exhaled. She waited for a reason to stop. Nothing. 

She stepped forward.

She left the world as silently as she lived.

Her body struck the water. Her body went limp. Then she was gone. The current pulled her under and carried her away. Rain began to fall. Maybe, somewhere beyond this life, she would finally be seen.