Sunk

I can feel the cold water splashing between my legs and soaking my shoes.
Most of us are starting to panic.
Most of us are banging on the metal walls of the ship.
Most of us are screaming for help.
No one comes.
The water is reaching my knees.

I start to panic too. My heart is beating so fast I can almost feel it breaking through my chest. I scream together with my friends.
But no one comes.
They say that we should wait patiently. They say that help is coming soon. But how soon?
I can hear other people screaming in the rooms next to us.
One of us takes his phone and calls the emergency line. He says they're sending help. But how soon?

The water is touching my hips and soaking the bottom of my shirt. It's freezing.
My throat is dry, but I can't drink. I look over at my friend. She is crying. I want to hug her, but my body is frozen.

The water is still rising.
Soon it'll be too late. But how soon?
The boys are crying too. One of them calls his mom. 'It's okay, mom. Help is coming. I will come home soon.'
It's not okay. I'm tired from banging on the metal walls. I'm tired from being afraid. We are all tired.

The water is playing with my hair.
I want it to stop. I want someone to help us and get us out of this terrible ship.
My friends have stopped screaming for help. They know we're done for. I look at their pale, terrified faces. Will this be the last thing I see?

The water is wetting my lips. I can taste the salt of the sea.
I take a deep breath. My hand is searching for my friends hand. Luckily I find it.
The screams from the rooms left to us have stopped. I'm afraid.

It's dark.
The water is cold. So terribly cold.
I have forgotten how much time has passed by.
Is everyone still alive?
I pinch my friends hand. She doesn't pinch back.
I want this to be a nightmare. I want to wake up in my soft, warm bed and realise I'm at home. I want to feel my mother stroking my hair and telling me it's okay. That it was just a dream.
But no one tells me it's okay.
I close my eyes.
And I breathe.
I can feel the water desperately reaching for the air in my lungs. It is filling every space of air in my body. I now realise that water is not my enemy. Water is my friend. I know it will take me to a happy place. A place where the sun always shines. A place where everyone smiles.
I smile.
And I let go of my friends hand.