Her hands reached out, touching only water and lake weeds. Her lungs began to burn, so she kicked back to the surface. She gulped air and looked around. Nothing but ripples on the water. She had to try again. This time she dove deeper, kicking hard to get to the bottom. The pressure hurts. Bits of sand and plants floated around her.
The water was darker here and colder. Then through the merc she saw something pale, an arm, a leg. It was Sarah lying still at the bottom of the lake. Her silver streked hair waved around her head like underwater plants. Her eyes were closed, her mouth slightly open. Maya swam toward her, but her lungs were already screaming for air.
She had to go back up. Breaking the surface, she heard shouting for the first time. Sarah, has anyone seen Sarah? The music had stopped. People stood at the edge of the lake, looking out at the water. A huge man with a thick gray beard was taking off his leather vest about to jump in. “She’s down there!” Maya shouted, pointing at the spot.
“At the bottom.” Then she filled her lungs again and dove back down. This time, she swam straight to where Sarah lay. As she got closer, she saw that Sarah’s foot was caught in something. Old fishing line tangled around roots and branches at the bottom of the lake. That’s why she couldn’t get back to the surface.
Maya’s lungs burned worse than before. Spots danced in front of her eyes, but she reached Sarah and pulled at the fishing line. It was strong and wouldn’t break. It cut into Maya’s fingers as she tugged and twisted. Her chest felt like it would explode. Just when she thought she’d have to go back up without Sarah, the line gave way. Sarah’s foot came free.
Maya grabbed her around the waist and kicked hard for the surface. They broke through into air and sunshine. Maya gasped and coughed. Sarah was heavy and didn’t move or breathe. From the shore, people were running into the water. “Help!” Maya called, her voice weak from lack of air. Help us. The big bearded man reached them first, splashing through the water like a bear.
His face was twisted with fear. He snatched Sarah from Maya’s arms as if she weighed nothing. “Sarah, baby, wake up!” he roared, carrying her to shore. Other hands grabbed Maya, pulling her along. Her legs felt like jelly. Her chest hurt from holding her breath so long. As they reached the beach, she saw the bearded man lay Sarah on the sand.
Sarah’s skin was blue gray, her body limp. How long was she under? Someone asked. I don’t know, another voice said. 5 minutes more. Maya knew it had been longer. Much longer. The big man started pushing on Sarah’s chest. Then he breathed into her mouth. Push, push, push, breathe. Over and over. Around them, people gathered in a circle.
Some prayed. Some cried. Maya stood on wobbly legs dripping lake water, feeling very small among these tough-l lookinging people. She thought of her backpack under the pier. Maybe she could slip away now while everyone was focused on Sarah, but her legs wouldn’t move. She had to know if Sarah would be okay. The big man named Dave kept pushing on Sarah’s chest. Push, push, push.
Then he’d breathe into her mouth. He’d been doing this for 3 minutes now. Tears ran down his rough face into his gray beard. His huge hands looked strange, being so gentle on Sarah’s still body. “Come on, baby. Don’t leave me,” he kept saying between breaths. Maya stood back, shivering in her wet clothes.
