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“God, please!” I pray again, my voice a screaming cry. “Help us!”

It all goes into slow motion when it happens. The knot slips or Taron’s grip slips.

“Leon! Stop!” Sawyer yells at my younger brother when the yellow rope goes slack.

The siren is loud now, cutting across the field as EMS races to the scene. A swarm of workers surrounds me. A large man grabs me, wrapping a blanket around my body and pulling me back.

“No!” I try to struggle and fight him, but my arms are pinned beneath the canvas.

“We have to move fast!” A woman yells, and they carry yellow body boards out onto the ice. “How many are there?”

“Two and a dog!” Sawyer shouts.

Lights flash, blinding me. I can’t see what’s happening. I’m shoved into a cop car, and a woman puts a plastic thermos in my hand. “Drink this.”

“Let me out… It’s my daughter!” I’m frantic, trying to get back to them.

“They’re going to be okay. We’re getting them out. We’ll get them to the hospital. Please stay calm.”

I can’t see what’s happening. Tears blind my eyes, and I strain, trying to see what they’re doing through all the commotion. So many people are here… they’re all working fast, and I hear something that sounds like a motor. Men shouting.

Panic constricts my lungs, and I want to help. I want to know what’s going on. I need to see my daughter, Taron.

“Help, please—” I barely have the words out when three doors slam.

The ambulance shoots off into the night, and we follow in a caravan of lights.

“We came as soon as we heard.” Mrs. Jenny and Mindy run up the narrow hallway to where I’m standing outside the doors of the Emergency Room with my brothers.

“What’s happening?” My best friend takes my hand.

“Don’t know yet.” Sawyer’s arm is around me, but I haven’t stopped shaking since we left the house. “Dove is unconscious. They think she’s suffering from cold water shock. Taron was with us all the way until the last break. I think the ice hit him…”

“Lord, no.” Mrs. Jenny steps forward, pulling me into a hug.

Up to now I’ve been completely numb, as if I’d fallen into the icy waters, but with the breakdown of my long-time pillar of strength, I feel my insides collapse. The weight of this is more than I can bear.

“I can’t lose them.” My voice is a broken whisper.

She clears her throat, clutching my shoulders and holding me straight. “You’re not going to. The Lord said he wouldn’t give us more than we can bear.”

My eyes are wide and dry. I’ve run out of tears, but it doesn’t mean I’m not dying inside. The hospital door opens, and a young man in blue scrubs strides out.

“LaGrange?”

“That’s us.” Sawyer steps forward quickly.

“Which one of you is the mother.”

Everyone puts their hands on me, and I step up. “That’s me.”

He looks at the five of us huddled in a group—Sawyer, Leon, Mrs. Jenny, Mindy, and me. “I take it you’re all family?”

Mrs. Jenny extends a pleading hand. “Yes, please tell us what’s happening.”

“She’s stable. Her vitals are strong…”

“Oh, thank you, Jesus.” We collectively exhale.