|| Chapter 2 ||

I stared at the river that blocked my path. If I wanted to be free, I was going to have to swim. I shivered at the thought. I HATED getting wet.

"I think she went this way!" A distant voice called,

"Well, crap." I jumped onto the log that flowed in the rushing river. "Au revoir!" I screamed.

"BRRR." I squealed as my foot trailed into the river. Snatching it out, I glanced behind me. They were right behind!

WOOSH. An arrow whizzed by me-almost impaling my ear. WOOSH WOOSH WOOSH. 3 more arrows tried but failed. With a gasp of pain, I fell. An arrow had shot me in the leg! Water clogged my ears and nose. Clamping my jaws shut, I ignored the blood pooling out of my wound and tried swimming. Yet it felt impossible for me to do so with a weak leg. "SHE FELL IN THE WATER!" The voice sounded distant-like in another world. Searing pain shot through me as a fish bit my leg, right where the arrow had shot me.

"She's probably drowning…" Cally called to her companions.

I AM drowning! I panicked. I wouldn't be going to a boarding school, I would be dead! Suddenly, I slapped my head against a rock, I opened my mouth, about to scream. Yet water rushed into my mouth. I began panicking, I'm going to die! I'm going to die! I'M GOING TO DIE!!!

SPLASH! Suddenly, my head submerged and I took gasps of breath. I was forced back under again. Thrashing my arms, I tried my best to resurface again. Yet it was no use, as my lungs screamed for air, I was pushed side to side as the river progressed in speed. Suddenly, I was in the air for a split second before I fell along with a waterfall.

"Help!" I screeched. But no one came. Luckily, the waterfall wasn't too big, yet it could inflict a wound or two. I plummeted down then-splash! I was underwater again. Suddenly, hands grabbed me and I felt light-headed, so light-headed, I passed out.