Down

<img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/imgabstract125.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="water"> [[The Swimming Pool|Key]] a digital story by Jessica Tremblay

It's a hot summer day. Mom is sleeping. My brother grabs the keys on the kitchen counter. "Come on!" he whispers. We're going [[swimming|Swimming]]." <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/door001.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="key">

I stare at the "No Trespassing" sign while my brother tries the keys. "We shouldn't be here," I say. "Wuss!" he replies. He opens the [[door|door]]. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/notrespassing004.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="no trespassing">

To reach the pool, we have to walk past the machine to clean up the pool. The tube is coiled like a snake. "We should go back," I say. "[[No! We're swimming.|Rules]]" <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/027coiled.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="tubes">

The rules are posted on the wall: <li>No food. <li>No drinks. <li>No running. The list is endless. What if we get caught? I'm [[scared.|instruments]] <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/rules018.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

Hanging on the fence, are strange instruments. "To [[punish|noadults]] kids who do not follow the rules," mom used to say. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/instruments026.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

But mom is not here. Today there are [[no adults|jump]]. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/chairsempty151.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

My brother [[jumps in|tiptoes]] the pool. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/divingline033.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

I [[tiptoe|safe]] in the water. [Cold] [Cold] [Cold] <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/reflection170.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

I stick to the [[side|side]]. [Safe] [Safe] [Safe] <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/wall070.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

My brother says: "It's a swimming pool. You gotta swim!" I don't want to, but I say [["Okay."|swim]] <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/3feet.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

I let go. I swim towards the [[deep end|deep]]. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/3feetfar066.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

I swim past the [[line|line]] that separates the kids from the grownups. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/055line.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

I swallow water. I cough. I [[panic|panic]]. I try to grab the water. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/chairshalfwayunderwater067.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

I struggle for a while but there's nothing to hold on to. I'm going [[under|under]]. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/abstract125.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

Down there everything is c a l m . I stop fighting. I let go. I [[sink|sink]] to the bottom. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/hand196.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

Then, I remember-- [[Mom.|kicking]] I start kicking. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/kicking208.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

Kicking And kicking. [[Until . . .|until]] <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/kicking194.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

I reach the [[surface|stares]] coughing and struggling. My brother stares at me. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/kicking201.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

I see the lifesaver on the fence. My brother sees it too. He takes a step towards it, but stops. Does he remember mom's warning "not too touch it because it's not a [[toy?|toy]]" <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/buoyagitated249.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

I'm very tired now. I let go. I'm going [[under|bottom]]. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/bluedirty153.jpg " width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

At the bottom of the pool, my hand touches-- something. I grab it. I feel a pull. I [[hang on|hang]] tight. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/hoseunder141.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

I am pulled to [[safety|safety]]. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/sunthroughwall246.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

Two hands grab me. Take me out of the water. I [[fall|fall]] on the concrete. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/chair029.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

My brother stands [[over me|over]]: "Are you okay?" <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/nolifeguard009.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

[[I throw up.|throw]] <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/filtercement015.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

My brother helps me up. I'm still clutching the [[waterhose|end]] my brother tossed in the water. <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/hose035.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">

"Let's get ice cream," my brother says. "Okay." We go upstairs. THE END [[[Start again|Start]]] <img src="http://www.oldpondcomics.com/PhotosPool/010waves.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="rules">