Elena’s POV

As Daniel’s small body sank beneath the surface, I caught his hand tightly.

The river was colder than I had imagined. The moment my skin broke the surface, it felt as though countless needles stabbed into my bones, the icy current biting through flesh and muscle alike. Daniel’s fingers were stiff and slippery in my grasp, his body trembling violently as he flailed in panic.

His face was frighteningly pale, his lips already tinged blue.

“Don’t be afraid,” I said ...