My frustrations on Ferry Accident Part 3

In the waters, the small car rises and falls. It lists and flounders. The powerful sway of the gentle waves turns the car around. It’s as if the waves are wondering what an alien object with two humans is doing in these waters.

Another powerful waves rocks the car. The engine hisses, noses down before the car rights up.

Mariam is not screaming. She can’t. Everything has slowed down. Time has stopped. She sees through the eyes of a sleepwalker.

The water is streaming in through the miniscule holes in the floor; through the door cracks; past the window sill. Not a lot.

Just enough to know the car is taking in ocean water. A strong wave slams the car. It rocks violently. A huge spray drenches her windscreen.

Terror rips through her paralysis. She screams.

At the rear seat, Amanda jerks awake. She finds herself in unfamiliar place. She is disoriented. Wide-eyed; terrified. Her mother is screaming.

The little girl tries to move; to reach for her mother. She can’t. The harness holds her back.

“Mama!” she calls, hands stretched out.

At the call, Mariam stops screaming. She reaches back for her daughter. She can't. Her safety belt is too tight. She strains. Nothing.

A powerful riptide hits that car and almost overturns it. Miraculously, the car rights itself; barely. Not for long. It’s sinking. Her daughter is still calling out for her. Her voice is fading.

From the foggy windscreen, Mariam catches a dim glimpse of the ferry disappearing in mist of sea waters. Standing on the railings are hundreds of people with cellphones; recording her death.

Water streams in. It’s now up to her chest. She knows with certainty she is going to die. There is no panic in her; just quiet resignation. There is no pain; just regret. Amanda will not visit Haller Park in next year’s birthday.

From the back seat, Amanda has fallen silence. Mariam hopes she has gone back to sleep. The water rises to the neck level.

From outside, comes the sound like strong wind across leaves of a dense forest. Mariam thinks it’s a speedboat with divers coming to her. Only it’s not. It’s tons of water rushing in the car.

The car sinks.