Ice had melted around the ductwork’s sides to form a circular pool of water, but the tide was carrying Red past it, and back under the ice. He had seconds, at best. He kicked toward the tower and flailed with his hand. An old, rusted metal ladder had been glued to the stone beside the duct. With his last dregs of energy he grabbed the bottom rung and clung on, half in and half out of the water.