Melanie swam through the hostages, looking for someone familiar. So many faces. Were they asleep? They didn't have gills, how could they- Suddenly, she spotted her loved one. A thousand 'NO's were screaming through her mind as she swam over to her step-father. He looked... Don't think like that, she talked herself down. She had to find something, something sharp. Swimming down to the sea floor, she found a rock that looked like it might do the trick. It wasn't incredibly difficult cutting through the ropes, but the panic complicated things, and all the while she kept getting distracted by her step-father's lifeless form.

As she finally freed her step-father, he sank down toward her. She caught him in her arms and shook him lightly, hoping he'd regain consciousness. What was he doing here anyway? He was supposed to be with mom! Throwing him on her back and holding his arms around her shoulders with one of her arms, she used her legs and free arm to begin the slow climb to the surface.

As she kicked through the water, her step-father got heavier and heavier, her legs weaker and weaker. Finally, a hint of light peeked through the murky depths. The surface, she thought, thankfully. Just then, she felt her lungs begin to burn. Oh no, the Gillyweed! She kicked frantically, feeling the last of her energy drain as her eyes began to blur. She broke the surface just as the last of her breath ran out, her lungs begging for the air she quickly inhaled. Just as quickly as she rose, however, she sank back down under the weight of her step-father. Swimming back toward the surface, Melanie began to drag her step-father toward the edge of the lake.