My Twin Sister

One Grace

A storm is coming. That’s the last thought I have before the water rushes over my face.

The last thing I see is the strike of lightning that brightens the dark sky.

The fear hits me right away, colder than the water.

And then my lungs are burning, aching for air.

I kick my legs hard and fight toward the surface.

For the briefest moment, my face breaks through the water and I’m greeted with beautiful, wonderful, warm summer air, but before I can get a good breath, a wave covers my head.

But I’m still breathing in. Water stings in my nose.

I’m gasping, sucking in lake water. The panic is all-consuming.

The current is too strong and I’m too weak.

Too tired. I can almost hear the faint cries of my friends.

My sister, calling my name. My muscles burn.

I stop fighting the current and let the water pull me where it wants.

The pain in my lungs eases. The voices fade until I can no longer hear them.

There is no more fear. Only acceptance. I’m going to die.