As I step out of the car, the smell of leather and fast food leaves my nose, and the smell of grass and fresh air enter.  The air is thick with humidity, yet there is a gentle, soothing breeze.  I shake off the stillness from the two-hour car ride.  I take a few steps and then turn to my right which looks to a small, red house that sits on a large yard.  To my left, there is thick brush.  The deciduous-filled forest looks as though it fades off into a line of black and different shades of green.  The sun is at its peak, and the heat from its rays warm my bare arms.  I walk straight, past the once empty field that now is occupied with a camper and white pickup, onto the beach. 
There isn’t sand squishing in-between my toes, but instead, there are billions of tiny, dull colored rocks pressing against the underside of my feet.  I walk farther down to the water where the cold, barren lake washes up on my toes.  My toes turn red as the heat drains out of them.  I stay there with my toes wrapped in the icy liquid, as I look farther out onto the massive Lake Superior.  The stony beach looks as though it continues forever with never-ending rocks with all different shapes and sizes.  The water looks as though it continues in to the skyline, like an ocean.
I glance down at the crystal clear water which looks as if it is glass when untouched.  I catch a glimpse of my faded old shirt and long, blonde hair that is done up in a ponytail until my image is broken by a water bug gliding gracefully across the surface water.  I venture further into the water and up onto a rock that stands above the cold giant.  Under the surface, the bottom of the lake is made up of smooth pebbles, rocks and boulders.  The water makes the somber rocks look intense and glossy.  I make an effort to move but stay, taking in the warmth on my arms and the cold that has swept over my feet.  I look around, absorbing the giant lake and the scenery that surrounds it. 
The sound of cicadas is heard in the distance, along with a gentle hum.  This is what serenity sounds like, feels like and looks like.  After a few minutes of standing and taking the beauty in, I trudge back through the water towards the beach.  I trot over the jagged variety of rocks and let the tiny blades of grass warm my frail toes.  I walk back to the campsite where my mom put an old, wooden picnic table out, and on it juicy pieces of watermelon with flies swarming around.
“You hungry?” asks my mom.
“No, I’m not hungry.  Any plans for the night?” I say.
“Your dad and I were going to go into town.  Do you want to come with?” my mom replies.
“I think I’m going to stay and unpack.  If there’s time before the sun goes down, I’ll maybe go for a hike or something,” I reply.
Our conversation ends there and she goes inside the camper and shuts the door.  Minutes later my dad, mom and brother emerge from the camper.
“Mom, have you seen my paddle board?” I ask.
“It’s on top of the truck.” she yells back.
I walk over to my dad’s white pickup and grab the paddle board that is resting in the bed. It resembles a surf board with its long, plastic body.  I reach down and grab the paddle that goes along with it.  Struggling to keep the board in my hand, I ambled back in the direction of our campsite.
“We’re going to head out kiddo,” chimes my dad. “Sure you don’t want to come?”
“Yah, I’m sure. I’ve got some things I want to get done anyway,” I reply.
“Alright, just be safe and if you go out on the lake, wear a life jacket.”
“Of course, Dad!” I say with a sarcastic tone.
“I’m serious.  You don’t know what could happen,” he voices in concern.
My mom and brother walk out, ready to leave for the night.
“Bye guys have fun, love you,” I spoke.
“Bye, love you,” my mom replies.
“Be safe, love you too,” my dad says.
I watched as the white pick up slowly faded away in the distance.  Now it was just me with the sounds of nature filling my ears.  I sat down, thinking about what I would spend the rest of my night doing alone.
  At my left was my suitcase waiting to be unpacked and to my right, my paddle board waiting to be taken out for a ride on the frigid water.  Grabbing my paddle board, I made my decision; the unpacking could wait. 
The sun was now beginning to set, casting an amber reflection on the water.  With my paddle board in hand, I headed down to the rocky beach and set my board in the glass-like water.  The water numbed my legs instantly.  Now that the sun was setting, the water was turning into a cold-enemy capable of death.  One foot after the other, I climbed up onto my paddle board and into a squatting position.  Balancing, I stood up.  My paddle board rocked back and forth, but finally stabilized.  With my back turned to the campsite, I glided off into the distance.  Suddenly, about 100 away from the shore, I came to the realization that I neglected to put a life jacket on.  I brushed the concern away thinking that the possibility of me falling in the water was very slim. 
The sun was growing closer to the water and bolder by every minute.  The water looks like its on fire with tints of red, yellow and orange dancing around on the exterior of the water.  I knew that with the sun setting I should start to head in, but I couldn’t.  The stillness and sereneness of the water pulled me farther into the vibrant colors from the sky.  I stood, letting the calm come over me.  I was at peace once again.   Instead of cicadas I heard grasshoppers.  Instead of warmth on my arms, there was a cool evening breeze.                                                                 
I paddled onward into the fiery sun.  I was breaking the silence of the water with every paddle stroke.  I was gaining speed.  I was in control.  I was invincible.  I was falling towards the water.
My body hit the cool water with a shock.  It felt like landing on thousands of pins and needles, each piercing my skin in a different spot.  In panic and struggle I swam towards the surface.  The cold water was filling my mouth as I tried to scream for help.  There was no cry of help that I could let out.  The words were stuck in me, and unable to come out.  It was like one of those dreams when you try running from someone, but you can’t move because you are being weighed down by some outer force.  I was trying to run from this lake, but the water was holding me down.  I was losing strength, and my body was growing deeper into the shock from the pain of the bitter water.  I kept sinking down toward the unforgiving bottom.  The water was wrapping around me like a thin sheet with every twist and turn.  The more I struggled, the harder it became to be released from the water’s pull.
  I was running out of breath and knew that this was how my life was going to end.  Here in the bottom of Lake Superior watching the sun set while sinking to the bottom of the lake.  I thought about how beautiful the lake is.  I thought about how ironic it was that such beautiful thing that brings you peace, can also bring you death.
I thought about my mom, my dad and my brother.  It wasn’t that long ago that I said goodbye, not knowing it would be our last words exchanged.  I thought about the pain we will have both have to suffer while away from each other.
I decided to give up and stop struggling.  I was going to die and I wanted it done calmly.  The refracted light from the surface of the water shone on my skin.  The water grew calmer as my fight with death stopped.  My body came to a stop, as I hit a rock.  I lay there with my rock on the back, while looking through the surface of the water at the last sunset I’ll ever see.  Even in death, I was at peace.  I closed my eyes and let the cold giant wrap around me.

As I step out of the car, the smell of leather and fast food leaves my nose, and the smell of grass and fresh air enter.  The air is thick with humidity, yet there is a gentle, soothing breeze.  I shake off the stillness from the two-hour car ride.  I take a few steps and then turn to my right which looks to a small, red house that sits on a large yard.  To my left, there is thick brush.  The deciduous-filled forest looks as though it fades off into a line of black and different shades of green.  The sun is at its peak, and the heat from its rays warm my bare arms.  I walk straight, past the once empty field that now is occupied with a camper and white pickup, onto the beach. 
There isn’t sand squishing in-between my toes, but instead, there are billions of tiny, dull colored rocks pressing against the underside of my feet.  I walk farther down to the water where the cold, barren lake washes up on my toes.  My toes turn red as the heat drains out of them.  I stay there with my toes wrapped in the icy liquid, as I look farther out onto the massive Lake Superior.  The stony beach looks as though it continues forever with never-ending rocks with all different shapes and sizes.  The water looks as though it continues in to the skyline, like an ocean.
I glance down at the crystal clear water which looks as if it is glass when untouched.  I catch a glimpse of my faded old shirt and long, blonde hair that is done up in a ponytail until my image is broken by a water bug gliding gracefully across the surface water.  I venture further into the water and up onto a rock that stands above the cold giant.  Under the surface, the bottom of the lake is made up of smooth pebbles, rocks and boulders.  The water makes the somber rocks look intense and glossy.  I make an effort to move but stay, taking in the warmth on my arms and the cold that has swept over my feet.  I look around, absorbing the giant lake and the scenery that surrounds it. 
The sound of cicadas is heard in the distance, along with a gentle hum.  This is what serenity sounds like, feels like and looks like.  After a few minutes of standing and taking the beauty in, I trudge back through the water towards the beach.  I trot over the jagged variety of rocks and let the tiny blades of grass warm my frail toes.  I walk back to the campsite where my mom put an old, wooden picnic table out, and on it juicy pieces of watermelon with flies swarming around.
“You hungry?” asks my mom.
“No, I’m not hungry.  Any plans for the night?” I say.
“Your dad and I were going to go into town.  Do you want to come with?” my mom replies.
“I think I’m going to stay and unpack.  If there’s time before the sun goes down, I’ll maybe go for a hike or something,” I reply.
Our conversation ends there and she goes inside the camper and shuts the door.  Minutes later my dad, mom and brother emerge from the camper.
“Mom, have you seen my paddle board?” I ask.
“It’s on top of the truck.” she yells back.
I walk over to my dad’s white pickup and grab the paddle board that is resting in the bed. It resembles a surf board with its long, plastic body.  I reach down and grab the paddle that goes along with it.  Struggling to keep the board in my hand, I ambled back in the direction of our campsite.
“We’re going to head out kiddo,” chimes my dad. “Sure you don’t want to come?”
“Yah, I’m sure. I’ve got some things I want to get done anyway,” I reply.
“Alright, just be safe and if you go out on the lake, wear a life jacket.”
“Of course, Dad!” I say with a sarcastic tone.
“I’m serious.  You don’t know what could happen,” he voices in concern.
My mom and brother walk out, ready to leave for the night.
“Bye guys have fun, love you,” I spoke.
“Bye, love you,” my mom replies.
“Be safe, love you too,” my dad says.
I watched as the white pick up slowly faded away in the distance.  Now it was just me with the sounds of nature filling my ears.  I sat down, thinking about what I would spend the rest of my night doing alone.
  At my left was my suitcase waiting to be unpacked and to my right, my paddle board waiting to be taken out for a ride on the frigid water.  Grabbing my paddle board, I made my decision; the unpacking could wait. 
The sun was now beginning to set, casting an amber reflection on the water.  With my paddle board in hand, I headed down to the rocky beach and set my board in the glass-like water.  The water numbed my legs instantly.  Now that the sun was setting, the water was turning into a cold-enemy capable of death.  One foot after the other, I climbed up onto my paddle board and into a squatting position.  Balancing, I stood up.  My paddle board rocked back and forth, but finally stabilized.  With my back turned to the campsite, I glided off into the distance.  Suddenly, about 100 away from the shore, I came to the realization that I neglected to put a life jacket on.  I brushed the concern away thinking that the possibility of me falling in the water was very slim. 
The sun was growing closer to the water and bolder by every minute.  The water looks like its on fire with tints of red, yellow and orange dancing around on the exterior of the water.  I knew that with the sun setting I should start to head in, but I couldn’t.  The stillness and sereneness of the water pulled me farther into the vibrant colors from the sky.  I stood, letting the calm come over me.  I was at peace once again.   Instead of cicadas I heard grasshoppers.  Instead of warmth on my arms, there was a cool evening breeze.                                                                 
I paddled onward into the fiery sun.  I was breaking the silence of the water with every paddle stroke.  I was gaining speed.  I was in control.  I was invincible.  I was falling towards the water.
My body hit the cool water with a shock.  It felt like landing on thousands of pins and needles, each piercing my skin in a different spot.  In panic and struggle I swam towards the surface.  The cold water was filling my mouth as I tried to scream for help.  There was no cry of help that I could let out.  The words were stuck in me, and unable to come out.  It was like one of those dreams when you try running from someone, but you can’t move because you are being weighed down by some outer force.  I was trying to run from this lake, but the water was holding me down.  I was losing strength, and my body was growing deeper into the shock from the pain of the bitter water.  I kept sinking down toward the unforgiving bottom.  The water was wrapping around me like a thin sheet with every twist and turn.  The more I struggled, the harder it became to be released from the water’s pull.
  I was running out of breath and knew that this was how my life was going to end.  Here in the bottom of Lake Superior watching the sun set while sinking to the bottom of the lake.  I thought about how beautiful the lake is.  I thought about how ironic it was that such beautiful thing that brings you peace, can also bring you death.
I thought about my mom, my dad and my brother.  It wasn’t that long ago that I said goodbye, not knowing it would be our last words exchanged.  I thought about the pain we will have both have to suffer while away from each other.
I decided to give up and stop struggling.  I was going to die and I wanted it done calmly.  The refracted light from the surface of the water shone on my skin.  The water grew calmer as my fight with death stopped.  My body came to a stop, as I hit a rock.  I lay there with my rock on the back, while looking through the surface of the water at the last sunset I’ll ever see.  Even in death, I was at peace.  I closed my eyes and let the cold giant wrap around me.

As I step out of the car, the smell of leather and fast food leaves my nose, and the smell of grass and fresh air enter.  The air is thick with humidity, yet there is a gentle, soothing breeze.  I shake off the stillness from the two-hour car ride.  I take a few steps and then turn to my right which looks to a small, red house that sits on a large yard.  To my left, there is thick brush.  The deciduous-filled forest looks as though it fades off into a line of black and different shades of green.  The sun is at its peak, and the heat from its rays warm my bare arms.  I walk straight, past the once empty field that now is occupied with a camper and white pickup, onto the beach. 
There isn’t sand squishing in-between my toes, but instead, there are billions of tiny, dull colored rocks pressing against the underside of my feet.  I walk farther down to the water where the cold, barren lake washes up on my toes.  My toes turn red as the heat drains out of them.  I stay there with my toes wrapped in the icy liquid, as I look farther out onto the massive Lake Superior.  The stony beach looks as though it continues forever with never-ending rocks with all different shapes and sizes.  The water looks as though it continues in to the skyline, like an ocean.
I glance down at the crystal clear water which looks as if it is glass when untouched.  I catch a glimpse of my faded old shirt and long, blonde hair that is done up in a ponytail until my image is broken by a water bug gliding gracefully across the surface water.  I venture further into the water and up onto a rock that stands above the cold giant.  Under the surface, the bottom of the lake is made up of smooth pebbles, rocks and boulders.  The water makes the somber rocks look intense and glossy.  I make an effort to move but stay, taking in the warmth on my arms and the cold that has swept over my feet.  I look around, absorbing the giant lake and the scenery that surrounds it. 
The sound of cicadas is heard in the distance, along with a gentle hum.  This is what serenity sounds like, feels like and looks like.  After a few minutes of standing and taking the beauty in, I trudge back through the water towards the beach.  I trot over the jagged variety of rocks and let the tiny blades of grass warm my frail toes.  I walk back to the campsite where my mom put an old, wooden picnic table out, and on it juicy pieces of watermelon with flies swarming around.
“You hungry?” asks my mom.
“No, I’m not hungry.  Any plans for the night?” I say.
“Your dad and I were going to go into town.  Do you want to come with?” my mom replies.
“I think I’m going to stay and unpack.  If there’s time before the sun goes down, I’ll maybe go for a hike or something,” I reply.
Our conversation ends there and she goes inside the camper and shuts the door.  Minutes later my dad, mom and brother emerge from the camper.
“Mom, have you seen my paddle board?” I ask.
“It’s on top of the truck.” she yells back.
I walk over to my dad’s white pickup and grab the paddle board that is resting in the bed. It resembles a surf board with its long, plastic body.  I reach down and grab the paddle that goes along with it.  Struggling to keep the board in my hand, I ambled back in the direction of our campsite.
“We’re going to head out kiddo,” chimes my dad. “Sure you don’t want to come?”
“Yah, I’m sure. I’ve got some things I want to get done anyway,” I reply.
“Alright, just be safe and if you go out on the lake, wear a life jacket.”
“Of course, Dad!” I say with a sarcastic tone.
“I’m serious.  You don’t know what could happen,” he voices in concern.
My mom and brother walk out, ready to leave for the night.
“Bye guys have fun, love you,” I spoke.
“Bye, love you,” my mom replies.
“Be safe, love you too,” my dad says.
I watched as the white pick up slowly faded away in the distance.  Now it was just me with the sounds of nature filling my ears.  I sat down, thinking about what I would spend the rest of my night doing alone.
  At my left was my suitcase waiting to be unpacked and to my right, my paddle board waiting to be taken out for a ride on the frigid water.  Grabbing my paddle board, I made my decision; the unpacking could wait. 
The sun was now beginning to set, casting an amber reflection on the water.  With my paddle board in hand, I headed down to the rocky beach and set my board in the glass-like water.  The water numbed my legs instantly.  Now that the sun was setting, the water was turning into a cold-enemy capable of death.  One foot after the other, I climbed up onto my paddle board and into a squatting position.  Balancing, I stood up.  My paddle board rocked back and forth, but finally stabilized.  With my back turned to the campsite, I glided off into the distance.  Suddenly, about 100 away from the shore, I came to the realization that I neglected to put a life jacket on.  I brushed the concern away thinking that the possibility of me falling in the water was very slim. 
The sun was growing closer to the water and bolder by every minute.  The water looks like its on fire with tints of red, yellow and orange dancing around on the exterior of the water.  I knew that with the sun setting I should start to head in, but I couldn’t.  The stillness and sereneness of the water pulled me farther into the vibrant colors from the sky.  I stood, letting the calm come over me.  I was at peace once again.   Instead of cicadas I heard grasshoppers.  Instead of warmth on my arms, there was a cool evening breeze.                                                                 
I paddled onward into the fiery sun.  I was breaking the silence of the water with every paddle stroke.  I was gaining speed.  I was in control.  I was invincible.  I was falling towards the water.
My body hit the cool water with a shock.  It felt like landing on thousands of pins and needles, each piercing my skin in a different spot.  In panic and struggle I swam towards the surface.  The cold water was filling my mouth as I tried to scream for help.  There was no cry of help that I could let out.  The words were stuck in me, and unable to come out.  It was like one of those dreams when you try running from someone, but you can’t move because you are being weighed down by some outer force.  I was trying to run from this lake, but the water was holding me down.  I was losing strength, and my body was growing deeper into the shock from the pain of the bitter water.  I kept sinking down toward the unforgiving bottom.  The water was wrapping around me like a thin sheet with every twist and turn.  The more I struggled, the harder it became to be released from the water’s pull.
  I was running out of breath and knew that this was how my life was going to end.  Here in the bottom of Lake Superior watching the sun set while sinking to the bottom of the lake.  I thought about how beautiful the lake is.  I thought about how ironic it was that such beautiful thing that brings you peace, can also bring you death.
I thought about my mom, my dad and my brother.  It wasn’t that long ago that I said goodbye, not knowing it would be our last words exchanged.  I thought about the pain we will have both have to suffer while away from each other.
I decided to give up and stop struggling.  I was going to die and I wanted it done calmly.  The refracted light from the surface of the water shone on my skin.  The water grew calmer as my fight with death stopped.  My body came to a stop, as I hit a rock.  I lay there with my rock on the back, while looking through the surface of the water at the last sunset I’ll ever see.  Even in death, I was at peace.  I closed my eyes and let the cold giant wrap around me.

As I step out of the car, the smell of leather and fast food leaves my nose, and the smell of grass and fresh air enter.  The air is thick with humidity, yet there is a gentle, soothing breeze.  I shake off the stillness from the two-hour car ride.  I take a few steps and then turn to my right which looks to a small, red house that sits on a large yard.  To my left, there is thick brush.  The deciduous-filled forest looks as though it fades off into a line of black and different shades of green.  The sun is at its peak, and the heat from its rays warm my bare arms.  I walk straight, past the once empty field that now is occupied with a camper and white pickup, onto the beach. 
There isn’t sand squishing in-between my toes, but instead, there are billions of tiny, dull colored rocks pressing against the underside of my feet.  I walk farther down to the water where the cold, barren lake washes up on my toes.  My toes turn red as the heat drains out of them.  I stay there with my toes wrapped in the icy liquid, as I look farther out onto the massive Lake Superior.  The stony beach looks as though it continues forever with never-ending rocks with all different shapes and sizes.  The water looks as though it continues in to the skyline, like an ocean.
I glance down at the crystal clear water which looks as if it is glass when untouched.  I catch a glimpse of my faded old shirt and long, blonde hair that is done up in a ponytail until my image is broken by a water bug gliding gracefully across the surface water.  I venture further into the water and up onto a rock that stands above the cold giant.  Under the surface, the bottom of the lake is made up of smooth pebbles, rocks and boulders.  The water makes the somber rocks look intense and glossy.  I make an effort to move but stay, taking in the warmth on my arms and the cold that has swept over my feet.  I look around, absorbing the giant lake and the scenery that surrounds it. 
The sound of cicadas is heard in the distance, along with a gentle hum.  This is what serenity sounds like, feels like and looks like.  After a few minutes of standing and taking the beauty in, I trudge back through the water towards the beach.  I trot over the jagged variety of rocks and let the tiny blades of grass warm my frail toes.  I walk back to the campsite where my mom put an old, wooden picnic table out, and on it juicy pieces of watermelon with flies swarming around.
“You hungry?” asks my mom.
“No, I’m not hungry.  Any plans for the night?” I say.
“Your dad and I were going to go into town.  Do you want to come with?” my mom replies.
“I think I’m going to stay and unpack.  If there’s time before the sun goes down, I’ll maybe go for a hike or something,” I reply.
Our conversation ends there and she goes inside the camper and shuts the door.  Minutes later my dad, mom and brother emerge from the camper.
“Mom, have you seen my paddle board?” I ask.
“It’s on top of the truck.” she yells back.
I walk over to my dad’s white pickup and grab the paddle board that is resting in the bed. It resembles a surf board with its long, plastic body.  I reach down and grab the paddle that goes along with it.  Struggling to keep the board in my hand, I ambled back in the direction of our campsite.
“We’re going to head out kiddo,” chimes my dad. “Sure you don’t want to come?”
“Yah, I’m sure. I’ve got some things I want to get done anyway,” I reply.
“Alright, just be safe and if you go out on the lake, wear a life jacket.”
“Of course, Dad!” I say with a sarcastic tone.
“I’m serious.  You don’t know what could happen,” he voices in concern.
My mom and brother walk out, ready to leave for the night.
“Bye guys have fun, love you,” I spoke.
“Bye, love you,” my mom replies.
“Be safe, love you too,” my dad says.
I watched as the white pick up slowly faded away in the distance.  Now it was just me with the sounds of nature filling my ears.  I sat down, thinking about what I would spend the rest of my night doing alone.
  At my left was my suitcase waiting to be unpacked and to my right, my paddle board waiting to be taken out for a ride on the frigid water.  Grabbing my paddle board, I made my decision; the unpacking could wait. 
The sun was now beginning to set, casting an amber reflection on the water.  With my paddle board in hand, I headed down to the rocky beach and set my board in the glass-like water.  The water numbed my legs instantly.  Now that the sun was setting, the water was turning into a cold-enemy capable of death.  One foot after the other, I climbed up onto my paddle board and into a squatting position.  Balancing, I stood up.  My paddle board rocked back and forth, but finally stabilized.  With my back turned to the campsite, I glided off into the distance.  Suddenly, about 100 away from the shore, I came to the realization that I neglected to put a life jacket on.  I brushed the concern away thinking that the possibility of me falling in the water was very slim. 
The sun was growing closer to the water and bolder by every minute.  The water looks like its on fire with tints of red, yellow and orange dancing around on the exterior of the water.  I knew that with the sun setting I should start to head in, but I couldn’t.  The stillness and sereneness of the water pulled me farther into the vibrant colors from the sky.  I stood, letting the calm come over me.  I was at peace once again.   Instead of cicadas I heard grasshoppers.  Instead of warmth on my arms, there was a cool evening breeze.                                                                 
I paddled onward into the fiery sun.  I was breaking the silence of the water with every paddle stroke.  I was gaining speed.  I was in control.  I was invincible.  I was falling towards the water.
My body hit the cool water with a shock.  It felt like landing on thousands of pins and needles, each piercing my skin in a different spot.  In panic and struggle I swam towards the surface.  The cold water was filling my mouth as I tried to scream for help.  There was no cry of help that I could let out.  The words were stuck in me, and unable to come out.  It was like one of those dreams when you try running from someone, but you can’t move because you are being weighed down by some outer force.  I was trying to run from this lake, but the water was holding me down.  I was losing strength, and my body was growing deeper into the shock from the pain of the bitter water.  I kept sinking down toward the unforgiving bottom.  The water was wrapping around me like a thin sheet with every twist and turn.  The more I struggled, the harder it became to be released from the water’s pull.
  I was running out of breath and knew that this was how my life was going to end.  Here in the bottom of Lake Superior watching the sun set while sinking to the bottom of the lake.  I thought about how beautiful the lake is.  I thought about how ironic it was that such beautiful thing that brings you peace, can also bring you death.
I thought about my mom, my dad and my brother.  It wasn’t that long ago that I said goodbye, not knowing it would be our last words exchanged.  I thought about the pain we will have both have to suffer while away from each other.
I decided to give up and stop struggling.  I was going to die and I wanted it done calmly.  The refracted light from the surface of the water shone on my skin.  The water grew calmer as my fight with death stopped.  My body came to a stop, as I hit a rock.  I lay there with my rock on the back, while looking through the surface of the water at the last sunset I’ll ever see.  Even in death, I was at peace.  I closed my eyes and let the cold giant wrap around me.

As I step out of the car, the smell of leather and fast food leaves my nose, and the smell of grass and fresh air enter.  The air is thick with humidity, yet there is a gentle, soothing breeze.  I shake off the stillness from the two-hour car ride.  I take a few steps and then turn to my right which looks to a small, red house that sits on a large yard.  To my left, there is thick brush.  The deciduous-filled forest looks as though it fades off into a line of black and different shades of green.  The sun is at its peak, and the heat from its rays warm my bare arms.  I walk straight, past the once empty field that now is occupied with a camper and white pickup, onto the beach. 
There isn’t sand squishing in-between my toes, but instead, there are billions of tiny, dull colored rocks pressing against the underside of my feet.  I walk farther down to the water where the cold, barren lake washes up on my toes.  My toes turn red as the heat drains out of them.  I stay there with my toes wrapped in the icy liquid, as I look farther out onto the massive Lake Superior.  The stony beach looks as though it continues forever with never-ending rocks with all different shapes and sizes.  The water looks as though it continues in to the skyline, like an ocean.
I glance down at the crystal clear water which looks as if it is glass when untouched.  I catch a glimpse of my faded old shirt and long, blonde hair that is done up in a ponytail until my image is broken by a water bug gliding gracefully across the surface water.  I venture further into the water and up onto a rock that stands above the cold giant.  Under the surface, the bottom of the lake is made up of smooth pebbles, rocks and boulders.  The water makes the somber rocks look intense and glossy.  I make an effort to move but stay, taking in the warmth on my arms and the cold that has swept over my feet.  I look around, absorbing the giant lake and the scenery that surrounds it. 
The sound of cicadas is heard in the distance, along with a gentle hum.  This is what serenity sounds like, feels like and looks like.  After a few minutes of standing and taking the beauty in, I trudge back through the water towards the beach.  I trot over the jagged variety of rocks and let the tiny blades of grass warm my frail toes.  I walk back to the campsite where my mom put an old, wooden picnic table out, and on it juicy pieces of watermelon with flies swarming around.
“You hungry?” asks my mom.
“No, I’m not hungry.  Any plans for the night?” I say.
“Your dad and I were going to go into town.  Do you want to come with?” my mom replies.
“I think I’m going to stay and unpack.  If there’s time before the sun goes down, I’ll maybe go for a hike or something,” I reply.
Our conversation ends there and she goes inside the camper and shuts the door.  Minutes later my dad, mom and brother emerge from the camper.
“Mom, have you seen my paddle board?” I ask.
“It’s on top of the truck.” she yells back.
I walk over to my dad’s white pickup and grab the paddle board that is resting in the bed. It resembles a surf board with its long, plastic body.  I reach down and grab the paddle that goes along with it.  Struggling to keep the board in my hand, I ambled back in the direction of our campsite.
“We’re going to head out kiddo,” chimes my dad. “Sure you don’t want to come?”
“Yah, I’m sure. I’ve got some things I want to get done anyway,” I reply.
“Alright, just be safe and if you go out on the lake, wear a life jacket.”
“Of course, Dad!” I say with a sarcastic tone.
“I’m serious.  You don’t know what could happen,” he voices in concern.
My mom and brother walk out, ready to leave for the night.
“Bye guys have fun, love you,” I spoke.
“Bye, love you,” my mom replies.
“Be safe, love you too,” my dad says.
I watched as the white pick up slowly faded away in the distance.  Now it was just me with the sounds of nature filling my ears.  I sat down, thinking about what I would spend the rest of my night doing alone.
  At my left was my suitcase waiting to be unpacked and to my right, my paddle board waiting to be taken out for a ride on the frigid water.  Grabbing my paddle board, I made my decision; the unpacking could wait. 
The sun was now beginning to set, casting an amber reflection on the water.  With my paddle board in hand, I headed down to the rocky beach and set my board in the glass-like water.  The water numbed my legs instantly.  Now that the sun was setting, the water was turning into a cold-enemy capable of death.  One foot after the other, I climbed up onto my paddle board and into a squatting position.  Balancing, I stood up.  My paddle board rocked back and forth, but finally stabilized.  With my back turned to the campsite, I glided off into the distance.  Suddenly, about 100 away from the shore, I came to the realization that I neglected to put a life jacket on.  I brushed the concern away thinking that the possibility of me falling in the water was very slim. 
The sun was growing closer to the water and bolder by every minute.  The water looks like its on fire with tints of red, yellow and orange dancing around on the exterior of the water.  I knew that with the sun setting I should start to head in, but I couldn’t.  The stillness and sereneness of the water pulled me farther into the vibrant colors from the sky.  I stood, letting the calm come over me.  I was at peace once again.   Instead of cicadas I heard grasshoppers.  Instead of warmth on my arms, there was a cool evening breeze.                                                                 
I paddled onward into the fiery sun.  I was breaking the silence of the water with every paddle stroke.  I was gaining speed.  I was in control.  I was invincible.  I was falling towards the water.
My body hit the cool water with a shock.  It felt like landing on thousands of pins and needles, each piercing my skin in a different spot.  In panic and struggle I swam towards the surface.  The cold water was filling my mouth as I tried to scream for help.  There was no cry of help that I could let out.  The words were stuck in me, and unable to come out.  It was like one of those dreams when you try running from someone, but you can’t move because you are being weighed down by some outer force.  I was trying to run from this lake, but the water was holding me down.  I was losing strength, and my body was growing deeper into the shock from the pain of the bitter water.  I kept sinking down toward the unforgiving bottom.  The water was wrapping around me like a thin sheet with every twist and turn.  The more I struggled, the harder it became to be released from the water’s pull.
  I was running out of breath and knew that this was how my life was going to end.  Here in the bottom of Lake Superior watching the sun set while sinking to the bottom of the lake.  I thought about how beautiful the lake is.  I thought about how ironic it was that such beautiful thing that brings you peace, can also bring you death.
I thought about my mom, my dad and my brother.  It wasn’t that long ago that I said goodbye, not knowing it would be our last words exchanged.  I thought about the pain we will have both have to suffer while away from each other.
I decided to give up and stop struggling.  I was going to die and I wanted it done calmly.  The refracted light from the surface of the water shone on my skin.  The water grew calmer as my fight with death stopped.  My body came to a stop, as I hit a rock.  I lay there with my rock on the back, while looking through the surface of the water at the last sunset I’ll ever see.  Even in death, I was at peace.  I closed my eyes and let the cold giant wrap around me.