I didn’t know if I would ever feel safe again. A chill, dry wind brushed across my face.

It all happened so fast. From the moment we crossed the river, danger lurked. The water groaned beneath the surface, pushing against the ice. A crack erupted under the sled and opened an untamed current. Ivory and Ace went under, and the sled followed next. Fully engulfed, the icy waters tingled along my skin before sending an invisible fire burning me, like little knives digging into my skin. I fought to keep myself afloat and reached for Blaze—she was the only one above the water. She howled in pain, which turned to gargles as she was dragged down.

“No!” I screamed. A blood-curdling cry escaped my chest, the noise ripping against my vocal cords as it rose out of my throat. They were drowning, and soon, I would follow them.

Despite the pain in my throat, I continued screaming. No words, just mournful cries for my team. I clung to the edge of the ice, waiting for my body to freeze. I couldn’t feel my hands or feet. The cold water left my body numb and my energy draining—the water washed it all away from me.

In the distance, the roar of an engine grew louder. I didn’t look up, exhaustion overwhelming me. I rested my head on the ice, wanting to close my eyes and sleep.

“Over here!” a voice called.

“Holy shit!” another voice answered.

I shivered while they pulled me out of the icy water. My team of dogs was long gone, and there was nothing I could do to save them. The tears froze on my cheeks as I stared at the giant hole in the ice that had consumed my beloved friends.

“My dogs!” The cold air hit me far harder than the water. The wind burned my skin as bright lights flashed in my eyes. “Save my dogs!”

Their faces were blurred and unimportant to me as I struggled to pull away from them. I had to go back, but my body was limp. I leaned back against the stranger who sat me on a snow machine. The engine came to life, and the world around me moved.

“Don’t you die on me,” the first voice called in my ear, but I didn’t care. What was the point? My dogs were gone.

The cold wind cut across my face and only got worse as we sped up. Voices echoed in my aching head as the world spun out of control. The blue sky faded dark and back to light again. I tried to scream, but my throat still burned hot, and no sound came out. I came in and out of consciousness each time, white light flashing before me.

My team was gone forever.

I fought to open my eyes. I tried to turn back, but I only saw snow, ice, and the blinding light. I looked up at the now-cloudy sky and prayed my dogs could forgive me.

If I survived, I vowed to never have a dog again.