It came like a quiet warning. Cold and gentle but urgent. A silent whisper, you can hear it gently brushing against your ear, riling you up.
"Evolve or die" it says. Over and over again, never giving you a moment to think. Evolve or die, evolve or die, evolve or die. Every time you feel like you're at peace, this voice is always there like a devil on your shoulder, until eventually...you give in and start fighting to get your head over the water.
Emberle heard this very voice as the chill of the frozen waters penetrated her skin and reached her bones. The cold water felt like a thousand needles piercing her skin as she waded through it. It was so frigid that it made her muscles seize. She could barely move when the relentless current pulled her deeper into its icy depths.
