The frozen lake cracked beneath his feet. This unsettling and unexpected sound caused the man’s heart to sink and his sudden stopping. For the moment he decided not to proceed any further. The man took a deep breath, then exhaled as fear and trepidation filled him.

           He paused, hesitant to take another step. As cold as it was, the man was surprised to hear the ice crack from his weight. It was the dead of winter, and while it took longer for the lake to freeze over, and as cold as it was the man was shocked to hear the ice crack with his step.