47 - 25 - Hold On

The tiger spun and whirled. Gulping water, sipping air.

The visser's monster was traveling downstream with me. Tentacle-like arms smacked me. Serpentine necks slapped.

He'd entangle me again if he could. Pull me down!

Even if we both drowned in the process.

Get to the bank, Jake!

Hork-Bajir tumbled in the water all around me. Blades grazed the tiger's stomach and back.

It was a water slide to hell.

Then I saw . . . Coughed. Gasped. No!

I was headed toward a massive tree trunk! But maybe . . .

<Yaaaah!>

I stretched out my front legs. Gripped the trunk with extended claws.

Had to hold on! But I was slipping!

The current dragged my body forward.

Had to find a way to use my back legs and claws, too.

Hug the tree for life.

WHAP!

One of Visser One's tentacle arms smashed the tree just over my head. The arm fell away, limp.

And the monster swept past me, fires extinguished, voice raging.

Still I hung on. Back throbbing, mouth numb.

Slowly . . .

The force of the current began to lessen.

The water level dropped until, finally, finally I could let go of my desperate grip.

Found myself standing in mud.