I feel my limbs going numb, as I quickly run out of oxygen. The water is freezing this time of year. I know it’s not very deep, but I can’t get a good foothold. I see the surface, but it seems so far away. I’m too young to die, I’m not ready for this. Where is my dad? Why isn’t he saving me? How could the perfect day possibly end this way? The events of the day keep rolling through my head. Over and over again…

“Wake up, Timber!” my dad hollered up the stairs at me. “I’m working on it!” I whined back at him. Even though my alarm clock had been going off for at least an hour, I still had no desire to get up at 4 A.M. to go hunting. It doesn’t help that it was the middle of the winter and my parents refuse to heat the upstairs. With the hardwood floors chilly on my feet, I reluctantly got ready for the long day ahead. My dad had been planning this hunt for a long time.

The day would start with a 1 hour drive to the mountain. Next we will ride our mountain bikes 8 miles deep into the woods. Oh wait, I’m not done yet. We’ll then hike in 2 miles with gear on our backs before we will finally be able to set up camp. “You can do this, Timber. You got this,” I say to myself as we head out the door.

My dad’s excitement is too much to handle this early in the morning. With the drive behind us, we grabbed our bikes and hit the trail. We watch the sunrise through the trees, and it reminds me of how beautiful nature is. We finally finish the bike ride, and start hiking with our heavy packs.

“Are you sure that’s not too much weight?” my dad kept asking me.

“I’m fine, it really isn’t that bad.” I once again replied as we got ready to cross the frigid river.

“Dad, are you sure it’s not very deep?” I questioned as I cautiously stepped into the water. “Yes, I’m sure. Just be slow and careful and you will be fine.” he reassured me.

The icy water surrounded my ankles and then calves as I got farther along in the river. My dad seemed to be getting way ahead of me and I felt the urge to hurry up even though he told me to take it slow.

“Timber, be careful. You’re going to fall in.” I heard my dad say as he took a short glance back at me. Just as he finished those words, I lost my footing on a wobbly rock. It legitimately felt as if my life flashed before my eyes. I screamed out to get my dad’s attention just as  I regained my balance. “Wow, that was a close one.” I said in exasperation. “What would have happened if I actually would’ve fallen in?” I ask myself. “Would my dad have been able to save me in time? Would my life really flash before my eyes? Would there actually be a light at the end of the tunnel? Are those real or just make believe? Well, I don’t plan on finding out today.”

As soon as those thoughts left my head, I slipped on another rock. This time it felt different. There was no gaining control. The current was way too fast and the weight of my backpack was pulling me down. It’s amazing what goes through your mind at a time like this. All I could think of was, “Dang it, my dad was right once again. My backpack was too heavy, and I was moving too fast for the conditions I was in.” Face up but completely submerged, I could see the surface just out of reach but my heavy pack was keeping me pinned against the bottom of the river. My survival instincts kicked in and I realize that if I want to live, getting out of my pack is the first step.

I feel my limbs going numb as I quickly run out of oxygen. The water is freezing at this time of year and I know I’ll be in trouble if I don’t gain control right away. I struggle to get the buckles undone on my backpack as the current is quickly pulling me down the river. I’m starting to see stars as I wonder if my dad even knows that I’ve gone under. If I lose consciousness I know the game will be over and so will my life. I finally get the buckle undone and shrug my shoulders out of the straps.  I can feel my heart racing and I know that I need to slow it down. I know it’s not very deep, but I can’t get a good foothold. I see the surface but it seems so far away.

I summon all my strength and lunge for the surface. I feel my head break through the water for the first time in what seems like an eternity. I fill my lungs with air and let out a scream for my dad. I’m able to get one last breath before I’m sucked under again. This time something feels different. The water must be shallower because my body is bouncing off of every sharp rock around me. I’m too young to die, I’m not ready for this. Where is my dad? Why isn’t he saving me? How could the perfect day possibly end this way? I have to stop thinking like this, I have to stay positive. Just then, my head slams against a jagged rock. As things begin to get dark the last thing I see is a hand reaching down for me, and I see my dad's face. I now know that today will not be my day to die. One thought, one last thought. My dad owes me big time...and then my world goes black.