I couldn't even say how long it's been since I heard them scream.

The life ring is bouncing off my hip and I'm sprinting faster than I ever have before, my breath in front of me clouding my view, but then I see it. A big gaping hole in the ice, fractured pieces floating around on the water.

Every safety video, article, or presentation-anyone with a bit of common sense- will tell you that you don't run on thin or uncertain ice. But I'm not uncertain, I know this water better than anyone, which is how I knew they were in danger.

I fall to my knees where I know the ice thins and crawl toward the hole; my heart is beating so hard it might beat right out of my chest. The only thing I can think is, For fuck's sake, please be alive.

I’m inches from where the ice has splintered when the water begins to ripple, and their head emerges, their terrified eyes locking with mine before their head submerges again. they’re panicking. I'm fucking panicking as I reach my arm into the water, feeling for any part of them that I can latch on to.

Nothing.

I'm trying to keep my weight even, off my front, all the shit I'm supposed to do as I throw the ring onto the water, hoping that somehow they can find it. Going in after them isn't the smartest decision-my body could go into shock, too, but it's the only one I have right now, so not being weighed down by clothes is the best way for me to survive this.

For us both to survive this.

My jacket is off when the rope of the life ring starts to move beside me. I roll over, careful not to crack the ice beneath me, and gasp when I see their hand clinging to the edge of the ring, skin blue against the bright orange surface. Their other hand joins it and I see the crown of their head, so I pull the rope and watch them travel to the edge.

"{{user}}, are you okay? Can you say something? You need to hold on, I’m going to pull you out," I tell them frantically, voice wobbling with every syllable.