The wind roared in my ears. River water rushed up to meet us. I turn and look at my sister. Her eyes are shut tight, her arms held around her ready for impact. I swallow and do the same.

A splash then a cold shock. I swim to the surface and look for my sister. Beside me her head pops up out of the water. We look at each other then swim to the rocky beach below the cliff.

“Is it still up there?” My sister asks.

“I don’t know, but we shouldn’t stay here long.” I say staring at the jungle rising above the cliff. Above the trees the midday sun shown crisply.

We follow the cliff to our left after a brief respite and hope that we make it back to the coastal village. Our eyes constantly survey the cliff top. Wet clothes rub us raw but the fear we feel pushes us on.

A rumbling roar turns our souls to ice. Our pace quickens to a run. The roar comes again. The cliff to our right becomes lower and lower until its gone and river bank meets jungle. The we see it.

Me and my sister stop as the beast jumps out of the brush in front of us. Its great paws dig into the sandy beach, ready to pounce. White teeth shine in the sun. It’s eyes wide with hunger.

“Tiger.” My sister mutters, tears creep down her face.

Suddenly the cat lunges at us. I grab my sister and throw both of us out of its way. Something slides across my back and feel a warm wetness grow there. I look up and see the tiger coming back. Pulling eyes sister up I tell her to run. Understanding pulls across her face and she shakes her head but I push her and she starts to run.

I grab a large rock and jump towards the tiger screaming. We meet and a massive paw meets my side and ribs shatter. A heavy weight presses down on me and then silence.

After a couple of seconds I realize I’m still alive. I open my eyes to see what’s on top of me. A massive shape of brown fur and black stripes blankets me. The tiger. A long wooden arrow stuck out of its neck. Relief washed over me and adrenaline faded. Sharp pain in my side and on my back replace it. My eyes close and I fade away.

A bright overhead light pulls me out of slumber. I hear excited voices nearby. Turning my head I see through blurry vision that I’m in a hospital room. My sister and parents are leaning over my bed wearing smiles. A calmness spread over and I fall back to sleep.