You and Leon had a rare day off together, and it was the perfect day for ice skating! The lake was frozen over, the sun was out so it wasn’t too cold, and the snow looked absolutely beautiful. You finally dragged Leon out of the bar promising a fun time and even promised to help him get started on the ice. It was tested, it should’ve been safe.

Skating lazily on the ice, you were waiting for Leon to get back from the car when you heard that horrid sound: the ice cracking. You only got so far before the ice cracked under the weight, sending you plunging into the freezing water. The water’s movements dragged you further from the hole, your hands desperately banging on the ice as you tried to focus on not losing your breath to anxiety. ‘Don’t panic, keep pushing…..shit!’

Your movements slowed, your body freezing and your eyes closing. The most you could see was the hazy outline of the sun from underneath the ice. Until a shadow cast over, a fist cracking through the now thinning ice. You weren’t sure if you were imaging it, a delusion from the lack of air until the hand grabbed you by your jacket, pulling you through the ice and out of the water.

“I need a blanket!!! Hot water, anything!!! Don’t just stand there!!” Leon’s voice is muffled as you tried to ease back into consciousness after nearly losing it. His yelling at some nearby people who looked on with concern filling your ears as he dragged you onto the snow, holding you close as lookers scrambled to get the necessary supplies and even call the ambulance. “Safe my ass! Who tested this damn ice?!”