AN: So...wow. Um. I feel really, really guilty about not posting sooner. It's just been a lot of senior year/college applications/job searches/family issues/grandma in hospice stuff. I pushed the story so far back onto the burner that I think it fell off of the stove completely. But I haven't forgotten how you guys are waiting for the next chapter. So here it is! Enjoy, and thanks for sticking around!


Chapter Seven- Every Teardrop is a Waterfall (Coldplay):

Fiyero and I stared at each other in shock, listening to the sound of the hunters coming closer. All the blood drained out of Fiyero's face as he saw the fear in mine. I grabbed his hand and started to run, pulling him behind. The rain had made the ground slippery, and we fought to keep our balance as the land started sloping towards the river. Branches lashed out at us, the forest seemingly intent on slowing us down. We ran with no direction planned or way to cross the river- now, there was only one word in our minds: run. Sounds of shouting and barking seemed to come from everywhere as the rain lashed down. I couldn't see because of the rain-I could only move forward, dragging Fiyero behind me, and hope that we were close to the river.

"THERE THEY ARE!" someone yelled. I panicked, almost sprinting to keep ahead of them. "Aylen, wait!" Fiyero shouted, trying to stop me. But the fear kicked in another notch as I felt the breath of the dogs on my feet. I ran forward, ignoring Fiyero's shouts, my mind blank with fear. And then the earth dropped out from under my feet.

As I fell, I dragged Fiyero down with me. Time seemed to slow down-or maybe my mind was speeding up, because everything clicked into my head with alarming speed: 1) Somehow, we had made it to the Qismat River, 2) In my panic, I had run right off a cliff that overlooked the river, taking Fiyero with me, 3) The hunters weren't following us- they were still on the cliff, 4) I still had the Grimmerie, the bag clutched against my chest, and 5) I could die in the next 45 seconds as I hit the water. I glanced up- Fiyero had closed his eyes, holding his free arm tight against his chest and keeping his legs straight. All I could do was copy his movements and pray that the water was deep.

The shock of the cold water was overwhelming as we plunged deep into the river. Immediately, I felt Fiyero's hand ripped from mine by the fast moving water. I tumbled head over heels, unable to figure out which way was up or down. The air from my lungs was quickly running out, and black dots appeared in front of my eyes. I clutched the Grimmerie closer, squeezing my eyes shut. I need to get to the surface! I thought. Without warning, light flooded, causing me to open my eyes. The Grimmerie was glowing, pulling me towards the surface!

My head broke the surface of the water, and the glow from the book faded. Rain still hammered down on the swollen river. I gulped in air, trying to stay afloat. "FIYERO!" I screamed, searching for him as the water carried me further down the river. The roar of the water blocked out all sound as I frantically searched the river. I struggled, using the arm that wasn't holding the Grimmerie to stay afloat as I continued to scream for Fiyero. Then, from what seemed a long way downstream, I heard a faint voice calling my name."AYLEN! I'M HERE! OVER HERE!"

Fiyero's voice grew louder as the water carried me downstream. The cold water was sapping my energy, and it was getting harder to keep from sinking underwater. Narrowly avoiding being squished by a giant rock as I was pushed past by the current, Fiyero came into view. He was kneeling on a large flat rock, his arm outstretched towards me. "GRAB MY HAND!" he yelled above the roar of the water, straining forward to close the gap between us.

I reached toward his hand as the water swept me past the rock. Our hands connected. Then, due to the pull of the powerful water, my hand started to slip out of his. I saw the horror on Fiyero's face as our fingers broke apart. In the same moment, I could feel the heat of the Grimmerie against my skin as it glowed again, shining on the water. Without thinking about it, I had cast another spell. The current suddenly slowed, keeping me near the rock. Fiyero again grabbed my hand, succeeding in pulling me up next to him.

As soon as I made it onto the rock, the spell broke, and the current sped up again. Coughing up water, I shook with both cold and fear of what might have happened. We sat on the rock catching our breath. "How are we going to get across?" I wheezed. "I d-don't know," Fiyero said, his teeth chattering. He grabbed my hand again. "I swear," he said, his voice growing stronger, "that if we get off this damn rock, I'll teach you to read." I stared at him, too shocked to say anything.

Suddenly, a rope landed between us, startling us both. "GRAB ON! I'LL PULL YOU OVER!" someone shouted. We looked over at the Quadling side of the river. There was a figure there, tying the other end to a tree. Fiyero and I looked at each other. I could see that he was just as suspicious as I was, but what choice did we have? We grabbed onto the rope and shouted at the figure to pull. We were yanked off the rock and pulled quickly through the water, making it to the other shore in no time. Clambering onto the bank, we probably looked like drowned cats. I couldn't have cared less, though. All I was focused on was the figure, who stepped out of the shadows and said, "Hello, Aylen."


I've forgotten how much I enjoyed this. Who is this figure? And how do they know Aylen? REVIEW OR I WILL FORCE YOU TO EAT ICE CREAM! MWAHAHAHA!