took a deep breath , as if surprised . Letting go of her mother ’ s hand , Elisa stepped towards the edge of the Pavilion , her hands on the wood railing . She pivoted on one foot and tilted her head to try to get a better view .
The throng of people grew . Elisa saw that it was the same family who was engaged in argument attracting the attention of the crowd . Through the incomprehensible shouts that flew about her , she heard a sharp sound of metal crashing to the ground . For a moment , Elisa was blinded by the sun ’ s reflection on metal . She blinked and looked at the object that had fallen . It was a small copper box , and as it broke open , Elisa saw white liquid – no , powder – spill out . She too , gasped .
Unlike most of the crowd , Elisa had not realised what the small , circular case had held until its contents had fallen out . Recalling her parents ’ conversation just moments ago , Elisa thought of drugs , and backed away . Her parents were still , but as Elisa tugged on her mother ’ s jacket , everyone seemed to move at once .
“ The choice is yours . Stay with us , or-or take that and leave !” The woman cried out shakily , pointing to the copper box .
Elisa ’ s parents looked sad as they grabbed her hand , their pace quickening . Elisa struggled to keep up , tripping . At one point , Elisa realised she had dropped her sketchbook . She wasn ’ t too bothered ; she hadn ’ t yet drawn anything with a real story behind it . Elisa heard a voice yelling for help . She skidded to a halt and let go of her mother ’ s hand , which went unnoticed as her parents sped ahead . She whirled her head , searching for the source of the noise . On the crowded bridge , the husband and wife remained in argument . With all the commotion , no one seemed to notice that the little girl was nowhere to be found .
Splash . Elisa traced the sound to the pond . She saw a shape moving in the water . There it was , again ! Elisa leaned over the railing . Suddenly , she realised that it wasn ’ t just something . It was someone . The poor little girl ! She was struggling in the water . With her parents deep in argument and all the people pressing against each other , it wouldn ’ t have been hard for someone to push the girl into the water .
Elisa saw the little girl helplessly wave before going under again . I ’ m coming , hold on , thought Elisa . She didn ’ t even think twice before climbing over the railing and jumping into the water . Elisa expected the opaque , green water to be deep enough to slow her down , but instead felt her ankle hit a thick layer of mud almost immediately . Pain shot up her leg , but Elisa grit her teeth , more determined than ever .
She wasn ’ t a great swimmer , but in such shallow waters she was sure she could help the girl . With no time to think , she plunged herself underwater , drowning out the sounds of police sirens and shouts from the crowd . Elisa swam as fast as she could , spotting the girl flailing around underwater . Her pale cheeks were puffed out as she tried to hold her breath . In a rush , Elisa swallowed water as she emerged . When she ducked down she was only an arm ’ s reach away from the poor child . Pulling the girl towards her chest , Elisa broke the surface . Unlike Elisa , the little girl did not