Page 41 of Where He Ended

“You win. A roaring fire sounds very tempting.”

Dominic stands in that effortless way of his. For a second he matches the trees arching overhead—just as tall, just as endless. His hair even looks like the thin branches waving in the wind. He reaches for me, my hand extending towards his without a second thought. I let him help me to my feet, only letting go of him when the steep climb demands I use both hands.

If I could, I'd hold onto him forever.

We're walking back towards the bridge when I see it: something small but straight jutting out of the bottom of the wood, right above the foaming river. “What?” I ask, squinting desperately.

“Laiken? Laiken!” he shouts as I sprint towards the water.

I'm too focused on my goal to hear him. Sliding on the soaked rocks, I stumble, then keep running. There's normally a stretch of damp sand beneath the bridge, nearest to the posts. The time of year has made the river overflow. It's consumed every inch of dry land in its path.

My shoe dips into the rushing water. Instantly my toes go numb. Behind me, Dominic is still shouting. I can't tear my eyes away from what I see under the bridge. I'm not crazy, that's really . . . “Ah!” I manage to shout, just before the river tugs my ankles, knocking my legs out from under me.

Frost-crisp water fills my nose. Forceful currents topple me round and round until I don't know what end is up, or down, or where I am. Nothing exists but thewhooshin my ears as the river hugs me tight.