Suki was running through the forest alongside the river. She didn't know if Sokka was chasing her – and she didn't care. All she knew was that she was running with no intention of stopping. Somewhere in the back of her mind, something told her to find Zuko. She continued to run until the sun was at the peak of its arc across the sky.
She slowed to a stop, her breathlessness and fatigue catching up with her so that she was forced to stand bent over, her hands on her knees, trying to drink in as much air as she could with each breath.
"Zuko," she tried to call, but her voice was weak from running. She did not sit down; she knew that if she did, she would not be able to force herself up again for a long time. She began walking, wondering where Zuko would be. Of course, he could have been in the opposite direction . . . but she didn't let herself think of that. She just went where her silently aching feet lead her.
Suki noticed a moss-covered log stretched across the river and approached it. She stood on the edge, bringing her foot down several times on it, hard. There was a satisfying klunk sound, which meant that it was thick and sturdy. She stepped across slowly, foot by foot. It seemed the right thing to do; perhaps Zuko had crossed the river in search of shelter.
It really was a pity that Suki didn't have Toph's ability to see by sensing vibrations. Then she might have been aware of the termites gnawing away at the hollow center of the log.
As Suki took her fifth step, there was a loud crack. Before she could try to step off, there was a second crack and Suki was plunged into the water. For an instant, all of her muscles seized up; it was as if she had been petrified by the freezing water. She kicked her legs furiously, propelling herself to the surface. Suki coughed and spat out water, trying to clear her head so she could concentrate. The rapids swept her several yards down river before she managed to grab a boulder, clinging on with all of her strength. But she was weak and tired from all of the running. That, coupled with the icy cold water that made it hard just to breathe, was enough to make Suki want to close her eyes and let go . . .
Suki shook her head. Think, she told herself. Think . . .
She looked around, searching for a way out. Assistance came in the form of a tree by the edge of the water. Several of its thick roots were extending down into the water just yards away. If she could grab one of the roots, she could pull herself over to the uneven shoreline and climb out using the tree. With this plan in mind, Suki let go of the rock and let the river carry her off.
She lunged for one of the tree's root and managed to grasp it in one hand. She took hold of it with her other hand and began moving slowly to the riverbank this way: hand over hand. It seemed to take forever, but at last she reached the trunk of the tree, which protruded into the water. It took all of her strength and her warrior's determination to pull herself up and out, but she did it.
Suki was on her hands and knees on the grassy floor as she coughed and choked. She was so very tired . . . but she knew that she had to go back to the temple; she couldn't stay here in her soaking wet clothes for too long – she'd freeze if she stayed until nightfall.
But as Suki forced herself to stand, her mind reeled. She saw a swirl of light and heard a distant pounding in her skull – and then her world turned black.