Chapter 4

FOUR

EMERALD FALLS

Ellie's lungs strained for air as she sank into the freezing water. She kicked and pedaled her arms, clawing for something to hold onto so she could break the surface. Ice cracked and shattered as she clawed at the ground.

She held her breath, but she felt as if her lungs were going to explode. Already her body was going numb, her limbs heavy.

You can't give up. Get yourself out of here.

But her body was so heavy she felt like she was trapped in quicksand. Fighting panic, she blinked rapidly to find her way. Her lungs stung as they started filling with water. Pain shot through her body and head, and the water pulled her under. God help her, she was drowning.

Determination and the will to survive burst through her and she summoned every ounce of strength she possessed and fought until she finally broke the surface. More ice cracked and she spit out water, then gasped for a breath just before she sank again. Seconds ticked by. A minute. Two. Three.

How long could she hold her breath?

She flailed, felt the water tugging her deeper and deeper. It was murky and hard to see, the darkness closing around her.

But a sliver of light seeped through the ice, and she followed it until she swam to the edge. Arms throbbing and body shaking, she clawed at the ground surrounding the pond. Snow chilled her already freezing fingers through her gloves, but she finally managed to latch onto a vine. Her body screamed with pain as she dragged herself over the edge.

Teeth chattering, she hauled her body across the snowy ground and collapsed. She needed help.

But as she lifted her head, the vultures' screeches reached her. She gasped for another breath and pushed herself up, then staggered toward the waterfalls. The wind howled off the mountain, burning her cheeks and ripping through her clothing. Trees swayed in the gust of wind, sending snowflakes flying through the air. Numb from the cold plunge, she forced her feet to move and slogged through the snow. Her boots sank into the slush and snowflakes fell in a blinding haze.

She stumbled and nearly fell but caught herself. Her breath puffed out. The world blurred as a dizzy spell assaulted her. She swiped water from her eyes, then leaned against a tree for a second to steady herself. Time seemed to stand still as she struggled to keep moving.

One foot. Two. Three. Snow swirled around her. The splash of the cold water from the falls sent another chill through her. She crossed to the side and ducked beneath the overhang, her legs wobbling.

Nausea clogged her throat, and shock slammed into her as she spotted two little girls lying on the ground.

Twins with matching hairbows and torn clothing. Streaks of crimson stained the snow and ice and had created a dark red pool beneath their bodies. And their pretty green eyes were wide open, haunted with the death stare.