But there’s nothing. No air.
I can’t breathe.
“One of your classmates found you in the pool. You stopped breathing and the school called an ambulance…”
Aunt continues speaking, but I’m struggling to breathe. Something heavy smashes my ribcage and my lungs.
I curl a fist in the hospital robe and hit my chest over and over.
Hit.
Hit.
Hit.
Breathe.
Breathe, you stupid thing.
“Elsa!” Aunt yells, her voice crackling. “W-what’s wrong?”
Hit.
Hit.
Hit.
The stronger I hit, the harder I can’t breathe. No air comes in or out. I’m going to suffocate.
Just like in the water, I’m going to stop breathing.
This is the end.
“Elsa!”
Aunt’s voice turns shaky and brittle. She tries to grip my wrist, but she can’t. Nothing stops me from hitting over and over again.
Steel blood runs in your veins.
You’re my masterpiece, Elsa.
My pride.
My legacy.
The room fills with noise. I barely register Uncle’s voice. Aunt’s cries. The doctors. The nurses.
Someone is talking to me. A blinding light is shoved in front of my pupils.
Hit.
Hit.
Hit.
Get out.
Strong hands restrain me, but I can’t stop hitting. They strap my hands and the material slashes into my wrists.