My eyes finally adjusted to the dark. I didn't dare call out Mama's name in fear I'd lose my concentration and fall. She would wait, I just knew she would! Now that I could see, I could see that the murky, swirling water was quickly rising at an alarming rate. Studying the wall I was somehow balancing on, I noticed a few cracks and crevices near the sill. A dim light shone through the crack in the tiny window, making the sloshing water not so scary. I didn't notice before, but I was shaking like a leaf! That wouldn't stop me! Lifting my quivering paw that was resting against the wall, I carefully stuffed it in a large crevice diagonal from the crack my claws were hanging on to. Glancing to it's side, I noticed another small yet manageable crack. Taking a deep breath, I hauled myself to the crevice and quickly put my other paw's claws into the crack. The sill was right there...So close! My hind paws scrabbled on the wall for a second before they finally settled. Still, my heart was pounding fast. I'm coming Mama, I really am!
After more climbing, I was finally close to the sill. And so was the water. It was lapping at the backs of my paws, rising and rising. As I tried to plan out how to reach the next crack, I finally concluded the next crack was far out of my reach. Panic spread through me like how a wild fire spread through a forest. What was I going to do?! I let out strangled mews, hoping Mama was still there to help me. "Mama! I'm still here!" I called. Waiting for a few heartbeats for an answer I'd never receive, my hope deflated. "Mama!" I tried wailing louder. A long, sickening silence followed my last call. Was I just going to give up? Was I going to die? The water was now pulling at my back's fur, soaking it back up. Shivering even more, I listened. They would have to hear me! They didn't leave yet! They wen't to get help, that's all! Suddenly, I heard the sound of something slapping against the ground. Mama had come back! "Mama, I'm right here!" I yowled as loud as I could. The sound came closer, and I let out a sigh. I would be saved!
Suddenly, my heart nearly dropped. I heard the voices of twolegs, not Mama! Did they stop Mama? They were somewhat puzzled sounding, but frantic. Holding my breath, I allowed the water to now reach below my shoulder blades. Would I rather let twolegs save me, or die? I wanted to be saved. Then, I could escape and find Mama, Hawk, and Moth! "I'm right here!" I wailed louder. Pawsteps quickened. They were coming over! I raised my head as high as I could so the water didn't engulf me. The window opened with a loud squeak, and light flooded in. A female twoleg gasped, leaned down, and made her paws quickly lower under the water, grasp my belly on both sides, and raise me up. I was forced to let go of the cracks as I was raised up and out of the window. I was free!
