There aren't many things in this world I know.

I know that koalas can sleep for 23 hours a day.

I know that most girraffes die from being struck by lightening.

I know that May 29th is National Pillow on a Fridge Day.

And I know that pandas fall asleep whenever and wherever they want.

But what I don't know can hurt me.

I don't know if there could be a snake under my bed.

I don't know if there's a spider in the bathroom.

And I don't know how much longer this ice floe can hold me.

The ice is getting thinner. That much I know.

We were fighting some low-down street gang by the docks. It was below freezing outside, being winter and all. The water had frozen for a considerable length out in the ocean, and Donnie blamed it on global warming.

I don't see how warmth can contribute to ice, but oh well.

Leo gave the order to attack, and we did. Raph ran forward first, as usual. Leo was second, and Donnie and I were last.

The fight was nearly over when one of the bad guys pushed me out a window. Not nice, right?

I heard Raph yell my name as I fell, but it was too late.

I hit the ice with a 'crunch' and it broke apart with a 'splash.' I was in the water.

And from Donnie's many lectures, I knew I had to get out, fast.

But the closest thing to me was ice. It had broken apart from the shore and was drifting out to sea, like me.

So I grabbed on and held on tight, finally pulling myself up onto it. The cold water seemed to want my energy, and who was I to stop it? I was already drained from the fight, and the cuts weren't helping.

I looked back and saw land, but it was too far for me to swim in this condition.

Looking back now, I should have taken the chance while I still had it. I can't see the land at all.

So here I am, sitting criss-cross-applesauce on an ice flow that is determind to sail away.

I can't feel my toes anymore. They turned blue about five minutes ago, and I would try to warm them up, but my fingers seem to have done the same.

The wind blows and chills my bones. I try to curl into myself further, but the freezing ice beneath me cracks. It won't hold me forever. And the more I try to warm up, the more it tries to melt and dump me in the ocean.

My mask is still wet from the first time I was in the water, and I think it's frozen to my face. I don't have the energy to reach up to check.

That's another thing Don warned me about. Hypothermia is a dangerous thing, he said. But I thought hippos were nice, I'd replied.

Raph had snorted, saying, no, those are dangerous too. They'll sweat blood when they get angry and chomp you to bits.

Stop, you're scaring him, Leo had told him.

Then I left while they fought. I watched Nemo on the Tv and Don gave up teaching for a week.

I wish I'd listened to him now.

But the ice is getting thinner, and I don't know how much more time I have left.

I never thought I'd die like this. I mean, I always knew I would die, but I always pictured something a little more, I don't know, heroic.

Not freezing to death on a piece of ice.

I'm laying down now, curled up. I don't remember doing that. I must've done it for a reason, though, so I stay. I don't have the energy to sit back up anyway.

The ice cracks again and I shiver harder.

For some reason, my brain tells me that apple seeds contain cyanide. Then it tells me I'm dying.

'I know,' I tell it. A small wave hits the ice and it cracks even more.

I raise my eyes for just a second and I can make out land. It isn't far. I could die trying or not try at all, couldn't I?

I barely have any time to decide before the ice gives another crack and breaks apart beneath me. I plunge into the freezing water and my breath is stolen, along with my ability to think.

My world faded to black, blending with the dark waters around me.