They were running!
Their hands were firmly locked together even though they knew it made them slower. For some reason they couldn't bring themselves to let go. But the soldiers were gaining on them and they were blocked by the river.
Then he made up his mind; before she could react he put his arm firmly around her and placed his hand over her mouth then he dove, into the cold water, and swam over under some branches hanging down into the river. All the while holding the panicked girl as close as he could.
He was trying to drown her!
Panic flooded through her mind as she tried with every part of her being the get out of his grip and reach the surface.
The world was spinning. The water pressing her down with its intense weight.
It wanted to kill her.
A taste of blood in her mouth; surely it was a sign she was dying.
Why?
Why was he doing it?
When he was sure the soldiers was gone he swam to a place where they could come up and dragged her out of the water. For a moment she lay coughing on the ground then she rose with a strange look in her eyes.
"Don't you ever do that to me again!"
She was shaking, tears running down her cheeks. Quickly he put his arms around her and let her cry.
"I'm so sorry. Just couldn't think of anything else."
"I know! It's just… water… still makes me remember what happened… you know…"
"With your brother? I know. Can you forgive me?"
There was such a sweet look in his eyes that she couldn't help smiling.
"Always."
"Thanks. And… they next time you get a sudden craving for meat; please don't eat me!"
And he held up his hand so she could see the bite mark in his palm. So that was the reason she'd tasted blood before.