~TADPOLE'S POV~
"Tadpole, grab my paw!" Mama's frantic voice rang out in the filling room. Swirling waves of water kept rising and rising, my fur soaked. The thought hit me, 'I'm going to die.'
I struggled to keep my head above the surface as water poured into my nose until my muzzle came up.
My lungs took in all the air possible as I tried paddling close enough to the window. "Look at me and grab my paw, son! You have to Reach..." Mama's voice cracked at the end.
I couldn't even life my front paws! If I did, I'd sink. 'I can't do this!' I thought. My whole body plunged under the swirling, icy cold.
That one, heart-splitting thought kept repeating itself in my mind."I'm going to die, I'm going to die!'
Everything was numb; I couldn't feel my paws nor my nose when it twitched, trying to inhale air.
I attempted to let out a wail, but the water muffled it. You could hear the roaring of the water still rushing out of the metal pole even clearer under water!
Something kicked in, making my small head surface. Opening my mouth, I took in gulps of air. My eyes squeezed shut as I knew I would soon go under again.
Now warm water trickled out of my ears, dripping on my eyelids. 'Time is running out...' Something told me.
"You have to-" Mama's loud command was cut off short when a wave crashed on me, forcing me under.
"Reach..." Mama whispered so low only she could hear it. Even under the water, I could hear the ear-piercing shrieks of my littermates, Hawk and Moth.
"LET ME GO! HE NEEDS ME! I HAVE TO GO!" Hawk yowled. I could imagine him being held back by Mama, Moth next to him in shock. "I HAVE TO...HAVE T-"
The wails of Hawk gave me energy. My legs jolted, shooting me up to the surface.
All I could do was try to take in air, but when my mouth opened, only cold water entered. Underwater once again. A bitter sweet memory flooded my mind, like the water around me.
~
"Hey... did you hear something? Sounded like somthing moving in the woods..." Hawk questioned., cocking his head. Distant fluttering of something echoed.
Pricking my ears, I looked around calmly as all three of us padded through the bush.
Moth let out a small squeak as a branch poked her. "...And coming closer!" Moth gasped.
"Everything's fine! Don't be scared!" I bravely soothed my littermates. We were now exiting the bush. I could clearly see a shadow of something...huge!
"It's coming closer! Straight at us!" Hawk yelped. I lifted my head higher, trying to look braver than I felt.
"Well, there's no time to run now! We'll just have to face it!" My voice didn't sound as proud and brave as I thought it would.
I heard Hawk let out a loud "Mrrraaoowr!" as Moth warned, "Look out!"
A gigantic bird swooped down, saw us, and flew straight back up in the air. We all stared with our mouths open in amazement.
"Wow..." Was all Hawk could utter. I couldn't say any better. The bird was actually petrified of us! I'm strong!
'I'm strong...' My eyes flashed open, my whole body jerked, and my teeth grinded against each other. My body hit a wall. This was my chance!
My paw searched the concrete wall in a frenzy, thankfully finding a deep crack. Stuffing my paw into it, I hurled myself up a tiny bit, keeping my other paw
pressed against the wall to keep some sort of balance. Pools of water slapped against my tail, making me shudder. My eyes blinked open and right away my eyes stung from
the water that managed to get in them. I let out a breath I forget I was holding. 'I did it! I am strong! I'm strong!' My celebration didn't last long.
I had to get out.