He sat at the bottom of the pool, silently cursing himself.

Why couldn't he just... breathe. Breathe in the water. Choke on it - anything. Why couldn't he just drown.

That single word bounced around his head - tempting him. Taunting, in a way.

He took in a breath.

it was like breathing in cold air.

He willed the water to touch him - his clothes soaked through - though he could still feel air entering his lungs.

He gave up, pushing off the cool tiles of the pool and climbing out on the side. He sat there for a while, dripping wet for the first time in - how long? Years, by now, surely.

He heard gentle and familiar footsteps approaching.