SIENNA
The moment I hit the water, the cold swallowed me whole.
It wasn’t simply cold.
It was painful.
The freezing river closed around my body and ripped the breath from my lungs. For several terrifying seconds, I had no idea which way was up.
I couldn’t see.
I couldn’t breathe.
I couldn’t feel my hands or feet.
Panic surged through me as I fought against the current, desperately trying to reach the surface.
I’m going to drown.
My lungs burned.
My body screamed for oxygen.
I kicked and clawed at the water until, finally, my head broke through the surface.
I dragged in a desperate breath.
Air filled my aching lungs.
I coughed violently before forcing myself to look around.
The river was dragging me downstream.
Fast.
I turned towards the bank and started swimming.
Every s
