Hold on

I grasp the edge of the life boat, my fingers burning from the rubber. I gasp for breath. Tears burn in my eyes. I can't take it any more. Every time I'm so close to climbing aboard, I slip. All alone in the middle of no where I pray. I can't fall and drown. I look down at the treacherous water temptation coursing through me. I could let go. It would be so much easier. But I can't. My one goal. I can't fail. I pull my myself upward struggling to climb aboard. I nearly collapse with exhaustion. The water slams against me. My fingers slip and I cry out. I try to hoist myself over one more time. My fingers burn, my head aches, my throat chokes for breath, and my stomach churns with dread. I pull myself halfway over the life boat. Hope bubbles inside of me. I pull my left leg into the boat, my right still in the water. I'm so close. I nearly yelp in glee. A huge wave crashes towards me. I struggle to get on the boat. I feel my time running out. I pull harder. Then the wave hits. It slams against my body like a billion bricks. My lungs fill with water and I let go......