LIFE
By Lani Rhea
DEATH.
Black ice.
You wrecked your car while crossing a bridge and you're trapped.
Ice water fills in fast from where you cracked the window for a cigarette.
DROWNING. You fear drowning.
Your belt is locked. It holds you tight in a claustrophobic grasp.
The water rushes through the gap—flows free to the floorboard.
You roll the window halfway down. More water floods in.
It snakes around your ankles, slithering up your body.
You panic. You scream. You want freedom. No one can hear you. You beat on the steering wheel.
Pressure from the water builds on your chest.
The water is at your throat now, your bottom lip.
Your eyes search for a way out.
Your teeth chatter as you tilt your head back.
Your breathes sputter as you suck in air—your last breath.
Your submerged.
You hold the last breath of air. You hold and hold. You struggle as your lungs fill and expand.
Thoughts of life flash through your mind. Perhaps you think of your husband, wife, kids and parents.
You're not ready to die.
The last bit of oxygen chokes its way up your throat—almost gagging.
The memories of the ones you love vanish as you think of your own life.
How selfish, or is it? It's your life. You fight to save this life, to live another day.
You don't give up. Your fingers strain to escape the belt, your lungs burn.
Click.
Like a snap of fingers the belt releases you.
You roll the window down and slip through for freedom.
Your body stings from the frigid water.
Bubbles pass over your skin like butterfly wings as they float upward.
You break through the surface.
You're free.
You breathe.
Life erupts back through your body once more.
Life is yours...breathe.
LIFE.
- - -
Lani Rhea is an author of many colors and challenges. Doesn't matter where she is or what she's doing, the words pour out on napkins, notebooks, or on her computer. Living deep in the heart of Oklahoma, she's been married for several years and has three children, two cats, and one dog.
By Lani Rhea
DEATH.
Black ice.
You wrecked your car while crossing a bridge and you're trapped.
Ice water fills in fast from where you cracked the window for a cigarette.
DROWNING. You fear drowning.
Your belt is locked. It holds you tight in a claustrophobic grasp.
The water rushes through the gap—flows free to the floorboard.
You roll the window halfway down. More water floods in.
It snakes around your ankles, slithering up your body.
You panic. You scream. You want freedom. No one can hear you. You beat on the steering wheel.
Pressure from the water builds on your chest.
The water is at your throat now, your bottom lip.
Your eyes search for a way out.
Your teeth chatter as you tilt your head back.
Your breathes sputter as you suck in air—your last breath.
Your submerged.
You hold the last breath of air. You hold and hold. You struggle as your lungs fill and expand.
Thoughts of life flash through your mind. Perhaps you think of your husband, wife, kids and parents.
You're not ready to die.
The last bit of oxygen chokes its way up your throat—almost gagging.
The memories of the ones you love vanish as you think of your own life.
How selfish, or is it? It's your life. You fight to save this life, to live another day.
You don't give up. Your fingers strain to escape the belt, your lungs burn.
Click.
Like a snap of fingers the belt releases you.
You roll the window down and slip through for freedom.
Your body stings from the frigid water.
Bubbles pass over your skin like butterfly wings as they float upward.
You break through the surface.
You're free.
You breathe.
Life erupts back through your body once more.
Life is yours...breathe.
LIFE.
- - -
Lani Rhea is an author of many colors and challenges. Doesn't matter where she is or what she's doing, the words pour out on napkins, notebooks, or on her computer. Living deep in the heart of Oklahoma, she's been married for several years and has three children, two cats, and one dog.
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WOW! I put off reading this for this debut. I could not stop bouncing my legs while I read it. I'm not sure my heart could take a full book of this type of writing!! VERY VERY vivid and realistic!! I can't wait to see more from you!!
Love it. I can feel everything! great read.
Well done, Lani. You do a great job of drawing the reader into the story. Writing in second person POV is hard to do. You make it look easy.
Oh My that was amazing I found myself holding my breath as I read and I got goose bumps. I did not even realize I was holding my breath until I got to the part of breaking through and I took a deep breath. Way to go you did a wonderful job! So realistic! :)
Awesome girl....you did really good! I am so proud to have gotten to read it!
Wende
Great job! Love the realistic feeling thru every word. talk to ya soon!
Jamie
Such a suspenseful piece. Makes you want to take DEEP breath at the end!
Nice.
Kelly
Nice job, Lani!
I love the way you captured the claustraphobic feel of being trapped in the car.
I’m ringing in way too late, no excuses. Sorry. I’ve been extremely busy with my erotic romance The Ark Hotel novella series and a paranormal erotic romance series with a friend, but that still is not an excuse. A mistake only a newbie could make and has been learned, forgive me please. You can visit www.lanirhea.webs.com to learn more on works I've been working on if you want. Thank you everyone for ALL the great comments. I've encountered drowning before, not a fun thing to recall. It took my mother to point that fact out. My mind made me forget. Have a wonderful year and thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my first publication. ~Lani Rheá
Very nice! One of my biggest fears is drowning! I was holding my breath until the word "click"! I can't wait to read more!!
Thank you, Julie! I hold my breath until "click" too! Soon you should see more from me. =) Visit www.lanirhea.webs.com to see when!