The orange glow of the setting sun rested on Erin's and Mike's unconscious bodies as a slight breeze rustled their hair, the gurgling of the river the only sound nearby. A butterfly with brilliant purple wings lands in the grass next to Mike and it's fluttering wings come to a stop.
For a moment, the world is at peace. Then, it releases it's held breath.
Mike suddenly sits up, gasping and coughing up water. The startled butterfly flies off as Mike, clearly disoriented, looks around. When his eyes reach Erin he gasps and quickly rushes to their side, placing his hand on their shoulder. Color immediately starts to bleed back into their skin.
"Erin I'm so sorry. I tried to stop him, but I wasn't strong enough..." he whispers as he works his healing as quickly as possible.