Elouise
The water feels like a cage.Holding me suspended in nothingness. The freezing cold is endless around me.
My fingers fumble again, trying to undo my seatbelt. But I can’t get the button to work. Or maybe it’s my hands.
The water is so cold.
One of the windows shattered during the violent roll down the hill. Maybe mine. Maybe all of them.
The water was immediate. Rushing through the window openings, flooding my existence.
My lungs scream.
How long has it been since my last breath?
Seconds?
It must have only been seconds.
My throat clutches at nothing.
I blink through the dim light.
I need to get out.
I need to get out!
And then everything goes black.
Pure darkness surrounds me.
I need to inhale.
I just want to inhale.
It burns.
My fingers try the seat belt again.
I can’t!
I squeeze my eyes closed. Shutting out the horror of my situation.
FOCUS!
My fingers slip and I want to scream. I want to cry!
I need to breathe!
Click.
My seatbelt gives way but I hardly move, my body stuck floating in the same position.
I blink. But there’s nothing to see.
Which way?
I have to breathe!