“Help! Someone help me!” The water whisked my voice away. The torrent muted even my own hearing of it.
I tried pushing against the branch. It was completely wedged, merciless in my situation.
The kayak tipped deeper into the tree.
I had to decide.
I pulled my legs up. The bottom of the kayak was providing just enough protection from the current for me to get them out. No sooner had I freed one leg, than the water threw me forward, and I smacked the concrete tunnel floor. I was submerged, tumbling under the water, hurled into the open creek below.
Something struck me in the side.
I pushed the water down and swam up toward the surface. Won a tiny gasp of air before being dragged down again.
Searing pain ripped through my shoulder.
Then I struck my foot.
My ability to swim faded.
I was plunged, helpless, into the depths. The harder I struggled for air, the further the weight of the water pressed against me.
I tried to open my eyes, and the frigid brown water stung them. A flicker of relief washed over me as I realized I was going to die. It was what I always wanted. To finally die and be with Cam and with my baby.
My lungs burned.
The water pushed me deeper.
My hip struck a rock, and my consciousness waned. I stopped seeing the light and the rustling water above. I allowed my eyes to close, and my limbs ceased the struggle. The roar of the current faded to silence.
A vision of Cameron and my baby flashed through my mind. He held her, smiling. A cloak of light engulfed them. Cam looked so healthy, and my baby was so alive. She was wiggling and cooing up at him. My heart jumped. They were so real. So close. So beautiful.
I reached out, but couldn’t touch them.
Maybe I could be with my family right now. If I let go…stopped fighting…
Cam looked up, and I saw into his brown eyes. They were shining. He said something. But, I couldn’t hear him. He said it again, and his soft voice reached the ears of my spirit.
“Not yet, Jules.”
I tried to reach out one more time. They were fading, leaving me. I wanted to cry out. They couldn’t be leaving me already. Cam spoke again.
“Not yet, Jules. You still have a family.”
Realization dawned in my heart. I still had a family. Renewed fight buzzed in my chest as the vision slipped away.
Patrick. Sunny.
The rumble of water faded back, drumming against my ears.
Desperation unleashed, and I feebly pushed against the water with my remaining strength. The surface was so close. I fought to launch myself upward. Everything hurt but the images of their faces propelled me upward.
Patrick. Sunny.
Was it too late for us to be a family?
The lack of oxygen crushed my chest.
I needed air.
