Her hands reached out, touching only water and lake weeds. Her lungs began to burn, so she kicked back to the surface. She gulped air and looked around. Nothing but ripples on the water. She had to try again. This time she dove deeper, kicking hard to get to the bottom. The pressure hurts. Bits of sand and plants floated around her.
The water was darker here and colder. Then through the merc she saw something pale, an arm, a leg. It was Sarah lying still at the bottom of the lake. Her silver streked hair waved around her head like underwater plants. Her eyes were closed, her mouth slightly open. Maya swam toward her, but her lungs were already screaming for air.
She had to go back up. Breaking the surface, she heard shouting for the first time. Sarah, has anyone seen Sarah? The music had stopped. People stood at the edge of the lake, looking out at the water. A huge man with a thick gray beard was taking off his leather vest about to jump in. “She’s down there!” Maya shouted, pointing at the spot.
“At the bottom.” Then she filled her lungs again and dove back down. This time, she swam straight to where Sarah lay. As she got closer, she saw that Sarah’s foot was caught in something. Old fishing line tangled around roots and branches at the bottom of the lake. That’s why she couldn’t get back to the surface.
Maya’s lungs burned worse than before. Spots danced in front of her eyes, but she reached Sarah and pulled at the fishing line. It was strong and wouldn’t break. It cut into Maya’s fingers as she tugged and twisted. Her chest felt like it would explode. Just when she thought she’d have to go back up without Sarah, the line gave way. Sarah’s foot came free.
