The only thing that cuts through her panic is the realization that Leander is here. He hasn't skated off upriver. Whether or not he gets her out is a less certain prospect, but his presence and the clear intent to try to save her is enough to dull her fear. It's less effective against the ingrained bodily response to the cold. Keeping her head above the water is natural, but she can't stop herself from gasping and spluttering as the cold lances through her body.
It's agony. It deadens her limbs and speeds up her heartbeat. When she tries to do as instructed, she brings her hands down so hard on the ice that crack spiderweb out, but it holds. She coughs so hard it hurts, river water washing over the ice in front of her.
"Don't get close," she answers, the first warning that comes to mind. Her voice is shaky. If she could just get her breath, stop her heart from thudding in near-panic, this would be easier. There's nothing to grasp on the ice, and nothing to focus on beyond the cold, the roar of her own heartbeat in her ears and Leander, unspooling lengths of rope from his pack.
no subject
The only thing that cuts through her panic is the realization that Leander is here. He hasn't skated off upriver. Whether or not he gets her out is a less certain prospect, but his presence and the clear intent to try to save her is enough to dull her fear. It's less effective against the ingrained bodily response to the cold. Keeping her head above the water is natural, but she can't stop herself from gasping and spluttering as the cold lances through her body.
It's agony. It deadens her limbs and speeds up her heartbeat. When she tries to do as instructed, she brings her hands down so hard on the ice that crack spiderweb out, but it holds. She coughs so hard it hurts, river water washing over the ice in front of her.
"Don't get close," she answers, the first warning that comes to mind. Her voice is shaky. If she could just get her breath, stop her heart from thudding in near-panic, this would be easier. There's nothing to grasp on the ice, and nothing to focus on beyond the cold, the roar of her own heartbeat in her ears and Leander, unspooling lengths of rope from his pack.