Frozen Layer

Snow fills up my shoes trying to remember the way back. I got lost not paying attention to the group. Panic overwhelms my body as I approach a terrible nightmare. Turning around is fatal, and moving forward is a gamble. There isn’t much time to think twice, so I carry on in fear of falling.

I know the water beneath is below freezing.

I have to sneeze, but I’m afraid that letting it go may cause the ice to break.

I rub my nose to help the sensation disappear, clench my fists, and lightly tap my toe on the ice to test its strength.

I don’t hear a crack, and I exhale deeply after holding my breath in for about a minute.

My life is on the line.

I tap it again just to be certain.

Nothing happens, and I regain an ounce of confidence that I won’t soon be maggot food.

Gently, I place my right foot on the ice.

I’m not a tiny woman by any means, and it still doesn’t seem to be fragile, so I inhale heavily as I slide my left foot onto the frozen surface.

My feet are now planted side by side on this skeptical, icy lake.

I’m shivering.

My knees are about to explode from walking such a long distance.

I take one step at a time and count them in my head.

One…

Two…

Crack!

I try to stop abruptly.

I fall into the icy waters, and then I wake up.