_Dig and push, dig and push_. I repeat to myself in ragged breaths. Here I am, in a stranger’s beat up canoe held together by duct tape. The paddle is broken in half, but it will have to do.

_My head is pounding_. I paddle my way through the river desperately. _My arms are sore, and my head is pounding_. Blood rushes rapidly through my ears that I can hardly hear the shouts of my pursuers.

They’re threatening me. But I rather drown than willingly give myself up to them.

My arms are tired, and my breaths are shallow. As I try to dig the paddle into the water, it bounces right back up in my hold.

I am weakened, and their shouts suddenly grow louder. I look down at my beaded bracelet. Green and blue beads woven together with two golden initials in the middle. ‘K + A’. _Kaela and Adrian_.

_I’m sorry. _I say to myself in a hushed voice. _Is this where it ends? _

An angry gush of wind pushes me forward, and it jerks me to look back up.

There’s no water or land in my field of vision. “What?” I mutter before my canoe wobbles and—plunges downward.

_A waterfall. Just my luck. _