Cheryl Tardif - Submerged

Damn it all to hell.

It wouldn’t be long before the dock collapsed entirely and the car slid beneath the water. He was running out of time—and so were Rebecca and her kids.

“I see your car,” he said, his heart sinking.

“You’re here?”

“You should be able to see the light from my flashlight. Behind you.” He waved.

“I see the light. Marcus, please hurry.”

Lightning rippled in the night sky. Thunder boomed about ten seconds later.

“What was that?” she shouted.

“Another storm is moving in.”

Last thing they needed was another downpour of rain. Water was now almost halfway up the driver’s window on the outside.

He quickly explained where she was and how the dock was the only thing keeping them from going under. “The next part is going to be hard. You have to be extremely brave and do everything I tell you.”

“I will. What do you need me to do?”

Opening the hatch of the SUV, he grabbed the rebreathers and the kit. “Tell Colton to move Ella into his lap. He has to keep her head up above the water.”

He heard her repeat his words to Colton. “Good. Now listen carefully. The water pressure on the outside of your car makes it impossible to open the doors. So you’re all going to have to escape through the windows.”

“But the power isn’t working. We can’t roll them down.”

“I’m going to break them. One at a time. Yours first.”

“But won’t that just make the car sink faster?”

He closed his eyes. “Yes, but you’re already sinking, Rebecca.”

“Oh God…”

“How high is the water on the inside?” he asked, checking the oxygen levels on the tanks. They were both full.

“Up to my waist.” She said something to Colton. “Colton says the water’s up to his knees. He has Ella, thank God. Colton, you have to prop Ella up. Keep her head above the water.”

“I have to hang up,” he said, “and when I do, I want you to call Leo at 911 and tell him we’re at Angelo’s Pork Farm. Can you do that?”

“Yes.”

Marcus ensured the emergency flashlights were secured to the straps of the rebreathers. “I’m going to swim out to the car in a second.”

“Hurry.”

He dug around in the kit until he found a bright blue ResQMe keychain. The rescue tool was used by numerous emergency organizations for quick vehicle rescues, and even the public could buy them. One push on vehicle glass would release a spring-loaded spike that would shatter a side window. There was also a seat belt cutter concealed beneath the plastic clip.

He shoved the ResQMe into his jeans pocket. “Tell Leo I’m going in after you.”

“How will you rescue all of us by yourself?”

“Can you all swim?”

“Yes. I made the kids take lessons.”

“What about you?”

“I was a life guard when I was sixteen. But I’m wedged in pretty good.”

Then he asked the one question that made his gut wrench. “How long can you hold your breath?”

“I don’t know. A minute, maybe more. I’ve never timed myself.” There was dread in her voice.

“What about Colton?” he asked.

“He can pick up a half-dozen weights from the bottom of the pool in one passing. That’s probably more than a minute, right?”

“Probably.” He strode to the edge of the river. “Okay… you’re not far from shore. Maybe six yards. All you have to do is keep your mouths above the water until I get there.”

“We’ll do that.”

“I have two rebreathers—small oxygen tanks. Each one is set up for two people, so we have enough air for everyone. Now listen. The water will submerge you first because of the angle of the car, so I’ll give you the first tank. Then I’ll move to the kids.”

“What about Ella? She’s still unconscious.”

“She’ll have a mask that’ll cover her nose and mouth. All of us will. The kids will share one tank. We’ll share the other. Once I get you out, we’ll all swim to the surface together. I’ll carry Ella. Make sure you tell Colton exactly what will happen and what I’ll be doing.”

“He’s going to be terrified when the water comes in,” she whispered.

“I know.” He massaged his forehead. “I have to hang up now.”

“Good-bye, Marcus.”

“Remember to call Leo.”

“I will.”

“And remember to breathe, Rebecca.”

After he pushed the disconnect button, he cried out, “Jane! Help me help them!” Please let me reach them and get them out of the car in time.

Rebecca placed the call to Marcus’s friend Leo.

“He’s going to swim out to us,” she said as she quickly explained their situation.

“Marcus is a good swimmer,” Leo said. “He knows what to do. How high is the water inside your car?”

“Past my waist. My kids are in the back, where the water is lower.”

“Hold on.” A heartbeat later, Leo returned. “I have good news.”

She blew out a breath. “I could use that right about now.”

“We have an ambulance and two patrol cars on their way. They’re fifteen minutes out.”

“I doubt we have fifteen minutes.”

“Stay calm. Help is on the way. And, Mrs. Kingston?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m praying for you and your kids.”

“Thanks, Leo. We could use that too.”

She disconnected the call, then looked over her shoulder and caught sight of her son’s terrified expression. She gave Colton a shaky smile. “When Marcus breaks my window, I want you to grab your sister and hold your breath if the car fills up.” The fear in her son’s eyes nearly choked her, but she pressed on. “Marcus is going to rescue us. Understand?”

“Okay. I’ll hold on to Ella, and I promise I won’t let go of her.”

“Marcus says we’re really close to shore. Do you think you can swim with your sore leg?”

Colton nodded and swiped at the tears on his cheek.

The car shuddered, and they shrieked as they were jerked forward.

She took a deep breath. “The car’s going to fill up with water really fast, Colton. You’re going to have to hold your breath, but not for long. Marcus has oxygen tanks. You know, like scuba gear. He’s going to give me the first tank as soon as the door opens. Then he’ll give you and Ella one.”

“Scuba tanks? Cool. What about you, Mom? You’re stuck. How will you get out?”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll take care of myself.”

“And we have the superhero,” Colton said with a wide grin.

“Yeah.” She winced as a heat flared in her chest. “Just promise me you’ll be brave.”

“I promise.”

“I love you, honey,” she said, gulping back a sob.

“Love you too, Mom.”

“I am so proud of you, Colton. You are so strong and—”

They were thrown into utter blackness.

Colton let out a screech. “Turn the lights back on!”

Rebecca slammed her hands against the dashboard controls. “Come on!” she cried between gritted teeth. “Turn back on!”

The lights blinked on, off, then on again.

She covered her mouth with one hand. She was afraid to move or breathe. If she was this frightened of being left in the dark, she could only imagine her son’s fear. Get it together, Rebecca.

“Colton, I’m going to give you my cell phone. If the lights go out, you can open it and turn it on. Okay? I’m going to have to throw it to you.”

“I’ll catch it.” The brave resolve in his voice made her smile.

Turning, she stared into Colton’s eyes. Her hand trembled as she gripped the phone. It had been her lifeline. Literally.