Nina's Got a Secret by Brian W. Smith Page A

fast enough to readjust before she crashed through the frail wooden railing that stood between the road and the edge of the cliff.
    The tree that protruded from the lake’s surface was probably one hundred years old. Its branches were massive and spawned smaller, curvy branches that were the width of a toddler’s arm. Only an inanimate object such as this could ignore the urge to flinch as Nina’s 2007 Range Rover hurled through the rain-filled sky and landed on top of it.
    The screams that filled the air were silenced instantly as the huge branch shattered the front windshield, cut into the deployed driver’s side airbag like a hot knife through butter, and pierced Nina’s right shoulder. Val was knocked partially unconscious by the force of the crash. Blood streamed from her scalp and along the bridge of her nose, as she slouched in the front passenger seat like a blood-soaked ragdoll. The right side of the vehicle was partially submerged as the left side relied heavily on the tree branch to keep it propped above the water. The rain seemed to relish this carnage as it came down harder, seemingly out of spite.
    As the creaking sound of metal subsided, the only thing that could be heard were the soft moans of a child—make that two children. Precious was positioned in the passenger seat directly behind her mother. Like Nina, she was benefiting from the position of the tree branch. Her right foot was the only part of her body that touched the surge of water that was starting to fill the vehicle.
    Chrissy wasn’t as lucky. Much like Val who struggled in the front passenger seat, being positioned on the right side of the vehicle brought her one step closer to death. With her face partially submerged, Chrissy was able to manage a moan. Precious joined in as the sounds from the two children served as the only indication of life inside the demolished vehicle.
    â€œMommy!” Precious called out in a barely audible tone. “Help me, Mommy!”
    â€œUhh, uhh,” Chrissy moaned. Her limited speech capabilitiescombined with injuries from the crash made it impossible for her to utter anything else. Nina’s maternal instincts must have kicked in because she awakened from her unconscious state at the sound of her daughter’s cries for help.
    â€œPrecious!” Nina screamed as she twisted and moved around in her seat. “Mama’s here, Precious! Mama’s right here!”
    â€œHelp! Help me, Mommy!”
    â€œVal, are you okay?” Nina asked.
    Val didn’t reply. Truth be told, Nina didn’t wait for a reply. She used her right hand to release the seatbelt and her left hand to push the tree branch more toward Val. At that moment, Nina had one thing on her mind; getting to Precious.

    W HEN V AL FINALLY REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS , she realized the severity of their situation. “Nina, I think my arm is broken. Grab Chrissy, the car is sinking on this side,” she mumbled.
    Nina didn’t respond to Val, but she did scream as she maneuvered her body so she could look over her seat to see her child. The tree branch had taken a hunk of flesh from Nina’s right shoulder, and she was in excruciating pain.
    â€œNina, grab Chrissy; she’s going to drown!” Val shouted a second time as water started to invade her mouth and nostrils.
    Nina watched Chrissy as she struggled to keep her head above water. Nina’s gaze was interrupted by the sound of Precious’ voice.
    â€œMommy, help me!” Precious screamed. “I’m scared, Mommy! Help me!”
    â€œI see you, baby! Mommy’s coming!”
    â€œNina, the branch is in my way. I can’t reach Chrissy; grab her before she drowns.”
    â€œOkay,” Nina replied, as she started to push the branch out of her way so that she could get a better angle at Chrissy.
    The force from her push was all the branch could take. The snap of the branch sounded like a firecracker exploding in a