The ice groaned under Maya’s skates, sounding almost alive. The Zamboni tipped dangerously, metal shrieking as it slid toward the wide, jagged hole at the center of the rink. Water from below started to bubble up, black and swirling.
“Let go, Mom!” Maya shouted.
Her mother’s fingers clawed into her jacket. Elena Rossi’s calm was gone, replaced with wild, desperate eyes. She wasn’t just hanging on for safety—she was dragging Maya down with her.
“I won’t...lose...everything!” Elena spat, her skates slipping on the breaking ice.
Maya’s bad ankle gave a sickening pop. Pain exploded through her. For a second, everything went white. Her knees buckled. Elena’s weight pulled her closer to the edge.
“Maya! Catch this!”
Julian’s voice cut through the chaos. He stayed off the ice, leaning over
