Chapter 8 - The Sinking Boat
The icy water felt like a thousand sharp needles piercing my skin all at once.
My muscles instantly cramped, making every single stroke an agonizing battle for survival.
I kept my eyes entirely focused on the small white outline of the sinking boat bobbing in the stormy waves.
The freezing wind howled violently, completely drowning out the desperate cries of my terrified children.
I forced myself to ignore the burning pain in my lungs and swam faster than I ever had in my entire life.
When I finally reached the small boat, it was already filled with freezing water up to the wooden seats.
Mason was bravely holding Lily above the waterline, his small arms shaking violently from the cold.
I grabbed the slippery edge of the boat and pulled myself up over the side.
I saw a thick metal chain wrapped securely around Lily’s waist, connected directly to a heavy cinder block on the floor.
The boat lurched violently to the left as another massive wave crashed aggressively over the low sides.
I frantically tried to untie the thick knot, but the wet nylon rope was completely frozen and unyielding.
The boat finally succumbed to the massive weight of the water and began to sink rapidly beneath the surface.
I took a massive, deep breath and plunged my head underwater as the cinder block pulled my daughter down.
I grabbed the heavy block with both hands, struggling violently against the immense pressure of the freezing depths.
My lungs screamed desperately for oxygen, and my vision began to blur into complete darkness.
I knew I could not lift the heavy weight all the way to the surface while treading water.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the small pocket knife I always carried for work.
I sawed frantically at the thick nylon rope binding the heavy chain to her small waist.
May you like
My lungs were burning so badly I thought my chest was going to physically explode.
With one final, desperate slash, the thick rope completely severed, and the heavy cinder block plummeted into the abyss.
