In Ages

Chapter 2

I'm woken to the sounds of giggling. It's a sweet sound; to hear the pattering of small footsteps against the snow and the unfailing cries of happiness. Smiling, I sit up. Noah's chasing Jessie round me in circles. I can see the glint in his eye of big brother pride. Jessie suddenly looks up to see me, and she runs forwards for a hug. As I embrace her, I see Noah's smile falter.
'She loves you.' I mime with actions.
A genuine grin breaks out on his face. Smiling slightly, I gently push Jessie away and pick up my rucksack.
'Breakfast!' She squeals, and I nod. I rummage through the bag and take out a tin of beans.
Ten minutes later, I've heated the beans on our portable mini stove and I pass them round. We each take turns to scoop out some with a spoon. It tastes good; warming and thick.
When we've finished I bury the can under the snow and we start to walk. I don't know where to, exactly. I heard across the seas it's safe.
We walk for an hour. I listen to the back and forth repetitive chatting of my brother and sister; with their innocent, unsuspecting voices. They flick snow at each other. The white substance glitters as it settles into their clothing.
I shake my head at them whilst pulling them apart. They'll freeze to death!
'It's fun!' Noah sighs, lower lip jutting out in a pout. I just shake my head again, miming being cold, in a real shiver.
'Where are we going, Lexi?' Jessie asks.
I point forward, and pretend to swim.
'The sea?' Noah guesses, frowning in thought, and Jessie nods eagerly whilst I smile in agreement.
'Lets go then!' She cries, and begins to run. Me and Noah follow after.
As we run, I realise how lonely and desolate we are. It's just us against the big wide world. I would like some reassurance that I'm doing the right thing, going to the sea, but honestly I don't see what else I can do. The snow, falling from the sky and billowing down mountains seems so harmless but it's not, is it? Not really.
Suddenly, a sharp crack brings me back from my thoughts, and I snap my attention to in front of me. Jessie isn't there, but Noah is and he stares at something in horror. I run forward, reaching him in under a second.
'She fell. She- she-'
I follow Noah's gaze to see a huge crack, slitting the ice apart. I pull off my thick coat, kick my boots into the snow, and strip until I only wear a vest and leggings. Without another thought I jump in. The cold hits me like a thousand ice cubes all at once. You know that feeling when an ice cube trickles down your back? It was bit like that. But with a thousand.
For a moment, my thoughts seemed to swirl together as if they are in a washing machine and the colours merge. I feel my weight sinking. And then, through the dim, I see something else. Someone else! Who is that.....
Jessie...
I force myself towards her, dragging my whole body through the treacle like water. My swimming teacher once taught me that swimming breaststroke was like scooping through ice cream; and I focus on that as I got closer. After what feels like forever, I loop my arm around hers. It hurts not to breath, and to have to look through the water. If I hadn't been in liquid anyway, my eyes would be streaming.
My thick hair now suddenly seems to be a burden as it dances in front of my view. I thrash to keep it away as I near the surface. I-
BANG.
My shoulder hits the sheet of ice.
Ow.
It hurts.
A lot.
I think I'm going to sink, when suddenly I feel am hand grip mine, and I am hauled out. The air is fresh against my skin.
'Are they okay?'
Noah.
'Are they alive?'
Noah.
'We'll see.'
Not Noah..