Keeping Faith

Chapter Five: Dark Waters

     The next morning, they woke up early to hit the slopes. Faith trotted down the stairs in a full white snowsuit. David couldn't help but smile; however, he hoped they didn't have a snow storm today because it would be very hard to find her if they did.

The whole afternoon was a blast, once everyone felt comfortable enough on their skis the races began as Sharla cheered them on from a bench near the bottom of the slopes.

It really began as a fun competition to see who was the fastest, but soon it turned into boy's verses Faith to see who would be cooking dinner that night.

The ride down hill was amazing. David glanced at the path Jonathan had taken, but he had disappeared onto a hidden trail. The cold, gusty wind blew snow into David's face, blinding him. He tried to follow Faith, but he couldn't even see her tracks. No matter how good she looks in it, David thought, it was definitely a mistake to wear a white snowsuit.

Finally, he caught up a glimpse of her blonde hair as she glided towards the trees. His instincts said she was going too fast. He gained speed on another dip and fell into pace with her. She stopped to catch her breath, "Nice to see you again."

David smiled, "Don't you think we should be headed back?" She pulled her goggles down and shook her head, "What's the matter? Afraid you'll get lost?" Before he could protest she was off again going deeper into the pines.

David searched for a familiar landmark but this was the wilderness. There was no trail here and they had to duck in order to miss the limbs. There was nothing but a snowy fog and trees surrounding them. They found a small path flattened out and cut through a grove of aspens. Faith glanced around in every direction, "Are we lost?"

David tried to lighten the moment with a bit of sarcastic humor, "Well if we are it's your fault." She stared at him seeming to be annoyed. David shook his head, "No, we'll just head back the way we came."

"Are you cold?" she asked. David grinned, "I was cold when I came out here. I'm okay though. How are you doing?" "My face is numb...and I can't really feel anything in my figure tips." David gently grabbed her arm to stop her and turned her to him as he examined her face. Her cheeks were red, as was her nose, and her green eyes were bloodshot.

David quickly removed the scarf he was wearing, and she protested, "You don't have to do that." "I know I don't, but you're a lot colder that I am." He wrapped it around her neck, making sure to cover her face, but leave room for her to see, "Better?" She nodded, "Yeah, thanks."

They continued walking trying to find their way, but they had made so many twists and turns that David wasn't sure if he could find the path back to the resort. Faith saw an elk and wanted to get a closer look. David asked her to stay on the main trail, but she refused. David stood back to let her take a picture with her camera. Then suddenly he heard a crack and saw Faith plummet into the frozen water. "Faith!"

He rushed to her, quickly removed his coat, and jumped into the icy grave below.

The water stung his eyes like a thousand needles as he forced them open. The pressure of the freezing water seemed to suck out all air that was left in his lungs as bubbles streamed from his mouth. It felt as though a lead weight had been placed upon his chest. He desperately searched the dark waters for her. The weight from her snowsuit was holding her down.

He grabbed a hold of her and swam with all his might to the surface. Just when he thought he could hold his breath no longer, a shimmer of light glistened above them, and they broke through the surface. David gasped for air, his lips were blue and quivering.