The cold tightened everything.
Muscles locking.
Refusing.
Working against me.
My body was betraying me.
Again.
I screamed again, louder this time, pushing with everything I had.
The head emerged once more—
Just enough.
Just visible.
Tiny.
Fragile.
A glimpse of dark hair already dusted with frost.
Then gone again.
My vision blurred.
Darkened.
I could feel my strength slipping.
My limbs weakening.
My heartbeat slowing in uneven, erratic pulses.
My fingers—purple.
Useless.
My legs trembled beneath me, barely able to support my weight anymore.
“No... please...” I whispered, my voice breaking into pieces.
This time—
There was no hesitation.
No control.
Only instinct.
I gathered everything I had left.
Every ounce of strength.
Every breath. Every heartbeat.
