I was helping out with my chores, when it happened.
The previous day, Jack had been telling me how excited he was to take Emma on her very first time ice skating on the pond me and him found a while ago. It was our secret place, and told no one of it.
No fish lived in it, and the water was always so clear and calm.
I listened, and laughed and agreed, because I know Emma would enjoy it. It was a surprise, and she wouldn't know about it till the following morning.
I slept in a little later than normal, without any nightmares. I either had nightmares or didn't dream, so it didn't bother me too much. What did bother me, was that I woke up with a sense of dread.
I felt like something was wrong, that I needed to do something, but I couldn't figure out what.
Ignoring the feeling, I got up, got dressed, and went outside into the cold winter air.
The sky was clear except for the occasional cloud, and the sun was still rising to the point where the moon was still able to be seen. It was a full moon.
My father stepped out with me, and smiled, which caused me to smile as well, and we headed out.
I spent my morning working.
When I got back home, though, I knew something wasn't right. I heard yelling and panicking, and didn't know what was going on.
I quickly went over to one of the adults, but before I could ask, I spotted Emma, who was crying so hard. I hurried and pushed my way over to her, and knelt down beside her.
"Hey, hey now. What's wrong Em?" I asked, making my voice calm and gentle.
She gasped, and tried to speak, when all that came out, was Jack, which quickly cut off into sobs and she couldn't speak anymore.
I don't remember what happened after that, except that I started running as fast as I could to the pond, pushing people out of my way. A few adults followed me, trying to get me to stop, but I didn't listen.
Then I saw it.
A hole in the ice.
Near the middle.
"Jack?" I called, my voice panicked, which surprised even myself.
I shouted his name louder, and instantly it clicked in my brain.
He was underneath that ice.
He was trapped.
Quickly, I ran onto the slippy surface of the ice, my intention was to jump in after him and pull him out.
Someone grabbed me from behind, and held me tight. I screamed, I shouted, I cursed, I struggled with all my might, but I couldn't get free.
"JACKSON!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, time seeing to stop right then and there.
I didn't want to believe it.
Jack was fine.
He was fine!
He'd be behind a tree, and step out, grinning from ear to ear like he normally did, and tell me it was just a trick.
But he never did.
I fell to my knees on the ice, tears overflowing from my eyes, and I tried to reach the hole with all my might, shouting.
I couldn't move though, because someone was still holding me back, and pulled me farther and father away from the hole in the ice.
Jack was gone.
You idiot.
You forgot to be careful.
You forgot my warning about checking the ice.
You idiot!
I was almost literally dragged back to the village, where my dad instantly embraced me in his huge arms and held me, both of us knelt on the ground.
I continued to try to get away, I knew somewhere in my mind, he was alive, and was waiting to be pulled from the ice beneath.
But logic overtook that, and I knew he was gone. I was just being reckless.
We didn't need two deaths.
Almost everyone cried that day, because everyone knew each other in out small village. Losing someone was like losing a family member, even if you hated them.
Jack, you idiot.
I didn't even get the chance to tell you how I feel.
You slipped away.
And I joined you a week later.