Everyone had safely made it across the ice, now it was Heidi's turn. Being last didn't matter since she was the smallest. If all the bigger kids could make it across, surely, she should be able to.
But that didn't stop her from being terrified of it.
"Come on, Heidi. You'll be fine." Harold said in an attempt to keep her calm.
She slowly and steadily placed one foot on the ice, and then the second. After a short pause, she began to walk slowly.
It was unbearably silent. Nobody spoke; as they were afraid that if they did, the ice would break and Heidi would sink into the freezing water below it.
Harold stood at the edge so he could calm her down once she made it. Seeing him do this made her speed up a bit.
However, she didn't notice a crack in her path, and when she stepped on it, it snapped; and she stopped dead in her tracks.
Tension filled the air as everyone froze with fear and worry. Heidi looked at their expressions, then down at her feet.
That was the worst idea she'd ever had.
The crack had gotten bigger.
This made her panic and start to move faster, but the ice just kept cracking.
"HEIDI STOP!" Harold shouted, holding his hands up in front of him.
She did, and everything went silent again. Now there were more cracks than before, and everyone stood with bated breath.
"Ok," Harold started again. "Don't look down this time. Just walk to me."
Heidi didn't want to move. She just stood with her arms out slightly, shaking from both fear and the cold.
"Come on, sis, you can make it!" Harold cheered her on, smiling even though his eyes showed a different emotion.
"I'm scared, Harold…" Heidi whimpered.
"Don't be! I'm right here! Just keep looking at me and take small steps!" Harold held his arms out for her.
She saw this and was determined to be safe in his embrace.
So she took a step forward.
Crack…
Crack…
SPLASH!