I broke the surface and treaded water as I caught my breath.

The Jersey was well away, but the boats that had been launched to chase me down were much closer. Lanterns swung this way and that as men searched the river.

I laughed. They’d never catch me.

My calf was bleeding. I was wheezing. Dying. But I still had a few breaths left.

There was no point deciding which direction to swim—all was darkness and rain and choppy waves—so I just followed the current.

With every kick, I felt a gathering within me. I had forgotten—Frannie was strong. Strong enough to swim around the world.

I lost myself in the strokes, entering a clearness of mind. A peacefulness I felt down to my soul. Then a voice filtered in.

I stopped and kicked in place, listening. Staring into the rainy night.

“Frannie!”

I turned to the sound and smiled. Then I put my head down and swam.