Remember Winston

by Student ID 20

“SPLASH”, the sound of water echo’s, bouncing off the walls of the giant cavern. The sun shines into its mouth and creates an ethereal glow emanating from the ice. The serene sight is ruptured by the sound of the laughter of pups playing in its perfectly clear water.
“Torrel stop that! You’re getting water everywhere and ruining our perfect secret-meeting-place!” complains Harriet.
“This is the last giant cavern near the seal colonie grounds, if it melts as well, it's going to be your fault.” she says sternly.
“Please, you sound like all the adults, always making such a big deal of the thin ice. Have some fun, and besides, they wouldn't have to worry so much if you were a good swimmer, like me” Torrell says teasingly.
“Right, you can't go half a tail in the water without crying out for help pleading for someone to save you.” Cory says while struggling to hold back his laughter.
“Ok everyone, enough bickering. We're here to practice swimming, not argue about ice!
Since everyone who does know how to swim is too busy to teach us. Just look at those perfect waters, right outside, there's no way we can miss out on this opportunity?!” announces Winston excitedly.
“I don't know Winston, it may be good right now, but, like everyone is always saying, you
never know how oceans can change. Not to mention it's gotten more unpredictable and ruthless because of climate change.” Says Harriet hesitantly.
“She’s right Winston, I may brag about knowing how to swim but it's not a risk you should
take.” Torrell says.
“I know it's dangerous.” He pauses “I can't do this without you” responds Winston Harriet and Torrell look at each other anxiously and begin to contemplate what they know is another horrible Winston idea. Eventually, Harriet opens her mouth to submit to Winston's pleas but is interrupted by Cory.
“I’ll go with Winston. Harriet, Torrell will stay in case something goes wrong, to get help.”
“Thank you Cory! Let's go! Let's go! The water is waiting~ ” says Winston as he hobbles over to the edge of the floor of the cave.
Cory hobbles after Winston. The two’s feelings were clearly written on their faces. Torrell, felt as safe as could be in such an ordeal, had an exasperated but content look. However, Harriet was quite clearly worried, as if she couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was going to happen.
“CRACK”
Harriets face darkens like the clouds in the sky as she realizes her horrible feeling coming
true.
“A storm” he mutters
“A huge one.” she finishes
“CRACK”
Torrell reacts first and rushes toward the still unaware Winston and Cory who are gazing downwards, looking for the best spot to dive in.
“WINSTON, CORY!!” Torrell screams
But before either of them realized, the thin ice broke off and carried the two friends into the ocean.
“BOOM”
Harriet and Torrell cover their ears to protect them from the thundering sound of the shaking cave. When they opened their eyes, the ice had completely separated and was riding the waves with their two friends clinging onto it. Harriet turned her back to hobble for help as fast as she could with Torrell not far behind. She looked back at the storm, but the ice plate was no longer in sight.

I was tired beyond belief, but even a second of rest would cost me my life and I knew it. My eyes glance towards Cory's direction to see how he was fairing. It took me a moment to find him despite there being only so much space on a small ice plate.
“I’m losing my sense of direction from the bouncing” I thought.
He wasn’t doing much better than I, both struggling and fighting for our lives against the fierce ocean waves. Suddenly I feel this overwhelming sense of guilt.
“If only I had listened, if only I hadn’t insisted on going with someone else. If only-”
My train of thought was broken from another wave aggressively splashing on the ice plate. I cough out some water and grit my teeth. I was going to survive this, and there was no time to be wallowing in self pity. My flippers ached, my tail throbbed and my skin screamed from the scratches I received from washed up plastic, but after what seemed like hours on end, the storm finally let up. I open my mouth and let out a hoarse squeal.
“Hey Cory, are you ok?”
There’s a cruel silence that follows as if taunting the guilt I felt. I looked around me but he was gone, I was alone.
Grief stricken, I close my eyes and focus on the sounds around me. The waves were hypnotizing, its slow rhythmic susurration seemed to be tempting me to sleep. The every so often bird call was like a melody to beat. Eventually, after about an hour, I summoned enough strength to move. I turned my attention towards the giant net of rope that was entangled around me. I squirmed to try to free myself but it only made it worse.
The sun was blaring down on me, melting the ice even faster than ever. I was told it's gotten hotter recently, but I couldn’t believe it was to this extent. I used to hear tales from the elders of the colonie. When they were pups, the ice was so firm that pups could do whatever without anyone batting an eye. I slowly start to feel myself slip away. Everything in me wanted to give up as I fell into the water , but upon contact with the cold water, my instincts kicked in and I could feel myself swimming! But the feeling was short lived, the ropes around me tightened and I started sinking. I wrestled, and kicked as hard as I could for about an hour but to no avail. Soon, I closed my eyes… never to open them again.