Gamble

"He-Help!"

A faint cry brimming with desperation reached Elian's ears.

Turning to look for the source of the voice, the lieutenant could make out a woman hanging from a branch in the distance.

The woman's cream-colored dress fluttered in the wind. The fabric was torn and stained with blood all over, evidencing her terrible state.

Elisha kicked and put strength into her arms, trying to climb the tree branch that protruded out of the hill, leaving her suspended in mid-air.

One of her low-heeled shoes slipped off, falling into the raging river that was flowing at breakneck speed.

"Help, please help me!" She continued shouting as she felt her fingers slowly slipping down the bark of the branch. "I... can't... uh... ugh, ukh."

The screams were replaced by a demoralized wail that was muffled by the roar of the water.

In that instant, Elian had another vision.