Ice

Thin, glass like ice threatens to crack under heavy trodding toes
Each step to them is a step closer to my likely fall
They sink lower and deeper beneath frigid waters
Bubbles rise to the surface, small and desperate
Almost there but the ice won't hold
Legs shaking and air clinging to skin
I reach for their palm, grasping at nothing as the ground collapses
I hit icy waves, so cold I nearly inhale the liquid.
My eyes open and all I can see is black
The freezing water burns my skin, prickly, bumpy.
I have to save them. I have to.
Swimming in the dark arms outstretched.
My lungs ache from lack of air
My chest burns, longing to inhale
My fingers tingle and sting in the chill
But I have to save them. I have to.
Reaching, stretching, until... there!
Yanking them towards the hole, the gap
Once there now closed, I pound the surface
Body screaming for oxygen
I push them up through the ice, shattering it
Clawing at the hole and pulling my face into the sky
Chest heaving, I drag myself and them up and to shore
Lips cracked, face blue. Shaking. Panting.
I almost drowned. But they're safe.
©spepticgrl