On Thin Ice.

Subject: On Thin Ice. Wed Feb 03, 2010 1:01 pm

This is not a poem.

Victory, I had gotten through the beginning of school and made it to winter
without any disciplinary actions taken towards me within school. I was sure I
passed all my exams, I walked out the front gate of Handsworth Grange High
School.

The wind blew and the air violently met my bare face and left me frozen for a
couple seconds, I grabbed my bike and began my journey home, but not before
my 3 friends - Daniel, Jack and Curtis swerved around the corner on their
respective bikes. The first statement was spoken by Curtis, the risk taker.

"Come on man, we're going to the pond to celebrate the beginning of school
break! The pond is completely frozen over!" He Said.

That is when I agreed to go to the pond, I couldn't have known what was going
to happen. Everyone in the school knew that Jack and Curtis were two people
who tried really dangerous stunts, and often influenced others to do the same.

We Parked our bikes about 15 meters away from the pond, my friends - eager
to take the first slide, quickly ran ahead of me and slid on the ice. Curtis
reaching the farthest, Jack close behind Curtis with Daniel in the middle -
slipped and fallen.

They urged me to slide, I refused at first after witnessing Daniel fall. But gave in
as the requests increased, I took a run up and jumped onto the ice. Immediately
my legs fell from beneath me and I found myself sliding on my stomach, to slam
into Jack who unfortunately was toppled over by the quickness of it all. Curtis -
who was standing at the ponds edge at this time was in absolute hysterics. I felt
ashamed, embarrassed, I felt like a failure.

I quickly got up, frustration and embarrassment bursting from within me, Daniel
and Jack managed to slide to the ponds edge. I made my way quickly around
the pond, picked up my bike - ready to go home.

"Wait!" Curtis shouted. "I have an idea!" He announced.

Within 10 minutes of explaining and preparation, I found myself perched upon
my bike, about to ride over the pond with it. I hit the pedal with force and shot
forward, gaining speed and momentum. I hit the ice with a sense of confidence,
I went without falling ... Until I reached the middle.

The bike toppled to the right, falling as if everything was in slow motion. I
smashed against the ice with force, the ice began cracking beneath me. I
peered helplessly at my three friends but before I could react, The ice shattered
into thousands of pieces and I dropped into the water. Where the current
immediately carried me away from the hole, The water hit me like a thousand
sharp needles, agonizing. I was freezing.

I quickly realized that I would die that day. Life was already draining from me, the
little fight I had in me was weakening. The ice cold grasp of the water was
squeezing the air from my lungs, then it hit me.

Adrenaline kicked in, I felt the flow - the circulation of muscles and blood began
to become stronger. I reacted by punching the bottom of the ice. The ice
quivered under the terrific force - broke on impact.

I grabbed the edge to prevent being pulled away by the current once more,
before I could react again a dozen hands held onto me and pulled me above
water. I began to cough instantly - I felt the conciousness fall from within me.

Hands treated me, I had gained a crowd and the paramedics had been
informed. I had escaped deaths firm grasp. And I was thankful, grateful to
whoever had informed the paramedics. I learned that day that I should never
mess ... with thin ice.