I slip and tumble forward.

My body slides fast across the ice, I catch a glimpse of him still running fast behind me. Looking forward, again, I find myself not slowing down but rather speeding up. The ice almost frictionless against my body.

Faster, faster, faster.

I’m nearly double the speed I was when I first slipped, yet the shore isn’t approaching, in fact it seems the opposite. Finally slowing down and stopping I look back again and find him standing over me.

His breaths release a fog that sinks towards my face and covers the ice.

Crack

Crrrrracccck

The man above me simply leans down and whispers in my ear.

“Grab the hand once you reach the bottom.”

The ice gave way.

So did my mind.