Submerged

by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

  "Oh my god," he said, elated. "Flying pigs."

  "What?"

  "I found the pigs, Rebecca. Colton wasn't hallucinating. It's a sign on the side of the road for a pig farm. It closed down a few years ago. I'm close."

  A second later, Rebecca said, "Colton says he saw the pigs in the sky, above the trees. But that makes no sense if it's a sign on the side of the road." She was sobbing uncontrollably now.

  "I think there's a sign on the building. That must be what he saw. Hold on."

  A few yards ahead, Marcus spotted the dirt road that led to the pig farm. He'd been down that road before. With Jane. They used to buy meat here. If his recollection was accurate, the road wove down to the river and circled back to meet the highway about a mile south.

  "I know where you left the highway," he said. "I can see the road."

  "Hurry, Marcus! The water's up to my knees."

  "Mom!" he heard Colton shout. "The car's filling up with water! We have to get out!"

  "I know, honey, help's on the way," Rebecca cried. "Marcus! Help us!"

  Deep ruts were carved into the mud ahead of him. Two sets of vehicle tracks—Rebecca's and a wide-based truck tire with heavy treads.

  Marcus stomped on the gas pedal and sped down the road. He swerved, barely missing an uprooted tree that had fallen across the road. "I'm almost at the farm. I see your tire tracks. I'm almost there."

  The SUV bumped and jerked as he whipped down the road at breakneck speed. "I see the farm!"

  Above the building was a silver weathervane that was lit by a soft light. The flying pigs again.

  "Flying pigs in the sky," he murmured. That's what Colton had seen.

  "Can you see us?" Rebecca pleaded. "The water's halfway up my calves."

  "I'm almost to the river."

  On the other end he heard Colton crying. "Try to stay calm."

  Rebecca's voice was thick with terror. "The water's coming in faster, Marcus."

  The tree line broke, and the river appeared to his left, swirling and churning. But no car. He followed the road alongside the river as fast as he could, his tires bouncing in and out of mud-filled ruts. Don't let me get stuck in the mud now!

  Though he wasn't sure he really believed in a God, he found himself praying desperately to a higher being. Please let me get there in time. Please, God.

  He pressed the Bluetooth tightly to his ear. "Rebecca, I'm nearly there."

  "I have to get out. I have to get my children out."

  As Marcus rounded another corner, the headlights of his car swept along the side of the road, illuminating the river. Still nothing.

  "Rebecca, honk your horn."

  He rolled down the window and leaned out. In the distance he heard something. "Honk again!"

  Then he heard it, clear as a bell. "You're up ahead."

  "Really?" Rebecca cried. "Can you see us?"

  The first things he saw were two pairs of muddy tracks that led toward the river. He slowed the SUV and noticed a small but sharp ridge of ground that lined the riverbank. A burly tree had a gouge on one side and what could only be red paint was scraped into the bark.

  It only took him a second to put the pieces together. This was the spot where Rebecca's car had gotten hung up. It had been pushed up to the top of the ridge, where it had teetered, while rubbing against the tree that had blocked her door.

  He maneuvered the SUV as close as possible so the headlights lit up the edge of the bank. This was where the truck had rammed her once more, sending her car shooting through the air toward the water.

  "I should see you any minute now, Rebecca."

  He parked and jumped out of his vehicle. With the cell phone tucked in his pocket and Bluetooth activated, he approached the edge. His flashlight swept over the area. There was about an eight-foot drop to the water, and to his right, concrete steps led down to a rugged wood dock that extended twenty feet into the river directly in front of him. Something at the end of the dock glowed with a soft light.

  And there it was—Rebecca's car.

  While attempting to escape the truck, she had driven toward the river, and the final impact of the truck had propelled her vehicle into the air. After a short flight, the Hyundai had landed midway on the dock, splintering some of the thick planks. It was now almost a quarter submerged, the front end lower than the back.

  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 be
cause 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.

  Chapter Twenty

  Near Cadomin, AB – Saturday, June 15, 2013 – 12:11 AM

  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.

  You can do this.

  She tossed the cell phone and breathed a sigh of relief when he caught it.

  "When we get out of here, maybe you should take up baseball," she said, trying to inject some humor into an otherwise bone-chilling situation.

  "Can I call Dad?" Colton asked, his voice trembling.

  "You can try."

  She bit her bottom lip to keep from crying. There was no point in saving the battery power now. Colton needed to hear his father's voice. To say good-bye.

  She gave her head a sharp shake. No! We're going to survive.

  "Dad's not picking up," Colton said.

  "Leave him a message." Her voice cracked on the last word.

  There was silence in the back seat.

  "Colton?"

  "I hung up. I didn't know what to say."

  "That's okay, honey. He knows you love him. And Daddy loves you."

  Colton began sobbing.

  "Please stop crying," she said, wishing she could hold him in her arms. "I know you're scared, honey. So am I. But we have to have faith. We have to believe that we'll be out of here soon."

  "Do you really think so?"

  "Yes, I do. Be brave, honey."

  Hearing his sobs made her angry. Not at him, but at her own uselessness.

  Seething with frustration, she grabbed the steering wheel and pushed it up with all her strength. With her children's faces in her mind, she attempted to wriggle free. But every movement sent severe knife-pains through her ribs.

  Her eyes streamed with tears, and she was drained of all energy. As her emotions collapsed, she cried as inaudibly as possible so that Colton wouldn't hear. There was nothing more she could do except pray for a miracle.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Near Cadomin, AB – Saturday, June 15, 2013 – 12:11 AM

  Another jagged flash of lightning streaked across the sky, and a sharp crack came about five seconds later.

  "Damn," Marcus muttered. The storm was getting closer.

  He opened the car door, ripped the Bluetooth off his ear and tossed it on the passenger seat next to his cell phone. Stripping off his shirt, he slung the straps from the tanks over his shoulder. With a flashlight in hand, he waded into the river. The water was frigid, but he pressed on. The ground sloped sharply. He dove in and swam toward the car. It took less than five minutes.

  As he reached for the driver's door, the boards beneath the front end gave way and the car slid further into the river.

  Shit!

  He rapped the flashlight on the top of the car and heard a muted reply.

  How much water is inside?

  The door handle was out of reach, so he dove below. He didn't bother with the mask. This was a reconnaissance dive. Plus, he needed to conserve the air in his tank, in case he couldn't get Rebecca out right away and had to leave it with her.

  The door didn't budge. He shone a flashlight into the window. The sharp angle of the car had forced Rebecca over the steering wheel.

  "Hurry!" she mouthed.

  He gave a nod, then swam to the surface and shone the light inside the rear window. Colton had pushed an unconscious Ella up onto the top of the back seat, against the rear window. The water was up to the boy's chest.

  When Colton noticed the light, the terrified boy pressed his face against the window and screamed something. It was heartbreaking to witness.

  Marcus gave Colton the OK signal, then held up a finger. One minute, and I'll have you all out. He prayed the boy would understand.

  Correct timing was essential. Marcus knew he had to get the first tank to Rebecca as soon as he broke the window. They'd be holding their breath as the car filled. He'd have to open the back door, secure the kids' masks and get them to shore.

  Then he'd go back for Rebecca.

  The question was, could he get everyone out alive?

  Chapter Twenty -Two

  Near Cadomin, AB – Saturday, June 15, 2013 – 12:15 AM

  Rebecca let out a victorious w
hoop as soon as she spotted the faint light moving in the water toward them.

  "Marcus is here. Outside the car." She turned her head and saw Ella lying on top of the back seat. "You are brilliant, my son. That's the perfect place for your sister."

  The car jerked and shifted forward, and they each let out a scream.

  "What's happening, Mom?" Colton cried.

  "Just a bit of movement. Keep calm."

  Rebecca knew what had happened. The car had moved further into the river.

  Colton groaned.

  "Are you all right, honey?"

  "I'm almost out, Mom! The seat's moved forward. My leg's almost free."

  "That's awesome, honey. Keep working at it. How's Ella doing?"

  "She's breathing real loud."

  "Give her another dose."

  "I lost Puff," he said in a forlorn tone. "It's in the water somewhere."

  She took a fortifying breath, thinking of the backup inhaler that was locked in the glove compartment. "That's okay. Marcus is here now."

  "I'm out!" Colton shouted seconds later.

  When he half walked, half swam toward her, Rebecca held up a hand and shook her head. "No! Stay where you are. We don't want the car to shift any more than it has. Stay back and keep your head above the water. Ella's too."

  "But what about you? Maybe I can get you out."

  "No, honey. We have to trust Marcus. He'll know what to do."

  Something banged against the car. Rebecca knocked on the window in response.

  The light moved closer. Then she saw Marcus. His face was distorted from the dirty water and faint light, but she'd never felt so glad to see someone in all her life.

  She released a heavy sigh. "Hurry!"

  He swam toward the rear, and a minute later, he vanished.

  "Help us!" Colton sobbed, banging on the window.

  "Honey, I know you're scared, but we have to stay calm."

  "I want out, Mommy! Get us out!"

  "I know."

  She cried openly now, rocking back and forth, hugging her chest. Her heart ached for her son, for Ella. God, please…if you can't save all of us, save my children. Save Ella and Colton. Please…