Flying feet first towards the waves. My grip on my sisters hand tightens as the preasure try’s to rip us apart. We tear through the air faster and faster. We hold our breaths as we’re both pulled under but we don’t slow. The water grips our ankles and throws us about as we get deeper and deeper.

Concrete breaks our fall. My sister lies flat on her front while I rush back to my feet. We don’t have the time. My hand finds the back of her shirt as I yank her up. she’s coughing up water and it mixes with the blood that trickles down her face. I can feel the wind teasing my exposed neck already. My fingers wrap around her wrist and I’m dragging her behind me as my feet lead the rest of my body. My knees buckle and I tumble. This time it’s her looping her hands under my arms to bring me back.

Too late.

The rapid rushes off air fall away and the hard road softens beneath me. Relief washes over my sister as she sits with a satisfied sigh. Running is so much better than what we’re about to experience.

“Tell me what went wrong.” Mothers voice calls from behind us. She has the recordings. Mother already knows every eye movement, every breath that came too fast or too slow, every tiny decision that cost us.

“We shouldn’t of ran… we should of hid or-“

“Not you my sweet girl.” Her hand came to rest on my shoulder behind me giving me a silencing pinch. “You.”

Silently my sisters eyes pleaded for help. “I should of reacted quicker?” She lacked confidence. No no no… don’t show weakness.

“Yes… and?” Mothers hand was tight on her chin forcing her to face her. When she didn’t get a reply in the form of words but instead a stranggle groan she tossed her face to one side. “Clean yourselfs up… we don’t share blood in this family.”