Do something!
His head found the surface just as his lungs felt ready to burst. He gasped, taking in the much-needed air before being submerged again. The churning water pulled and twisted him along. The burn in his lungs returned as they demanded air.
Move! He flared and kicked wildly, finally returning to the surface for a moment. No time! Even under water the roaring was getting closer. The prospect of facing what would be his second waterfall in three days was nerve-wracking. He didn't like the odds. The current was strong, pounding into him, yet he was stronger. He had to be; needed to be. Move it! Go! As his face reached the surface again he sighted the shore and made for it. Fight! His effort finally paid off as his feet gained traction and he managed to stand.
Still he didn't rest; that would just be stupid. He floundered towards the bank. His body began coughing in a painful attempt to get rid of any lingering water. His hands went to wipe his face and he was rewarded with a mixture of grit and water being spread across it, which in turn increased his frenzied movements. He reached the shore and collapsed, letting out a frustrated growl.
Yeah, walking in the river had been such a brilliant idea. Great job, genius.
His chest heaved. He couldn't do this anymore. He rolled onto his side, resigning himself to the absolute pain and fear clinching his chest. Yet he didn't cry. He couldn't bring himself to do so. He was just so angry, so unbelievably angry. He needed to calm down, to breathe...
Something moved within the corner of his sight. He sat up to see better, his breath still hitched. Up the bank he saw the girl from yesterday moving his way. Behind her came a young man, the same one from his dream. He must have been the one from the day before with her. Again a sense of familiarity came over him even as he still couldn't place it. So they hadn't gone upstream, or at least hadn't stayed headed that direction after all. They'd caught up to him. Well, anyone could have caught up to him as it was but still...
They were still quite far away. He had time. He looked around, seeking a place to hide. The bank here sloped like before yet there was little brush. Maybe if he went downstream? The ledge from the waterfall wasn't nearly as large as the previous one. Maybe... Too late; he heard a shout and turned to see the girl was now running towards him with the young man close behind. They had seen him. The threatening sense of danger rose in him again. He needed to get out of here. Now.
Scrambling to his feet he made for the sloping bank. He was too tired; his legs gave out and he tumbled back, collapsing to his knees. He tried again yet his legs continued to rebel.
He turned and made for the ledge. He'd take his chances. He heard the girl shout again but couldn't hear what she was saying. That was good; he could still get away. Again his muscles protested yet he forced them, albeit reluctantly, to go along. His legs and arms shook as he climbed. The ledge wasn't as steep as the first one had seemed. Still he should go slow, take his time, be careful. Forget that.
He placed his right leg on a small piece of rock. Stupid move. It gave way, and he lost his grip. The rocky terrain grated as his body slide down it. Somehow he managed to regain his hold. No time to waste. No time to stop. Within moments he again fell, and again regained some control. By the fourth time he didn't care and went tumbling to the bottom, landing in a heap.
He heard shouts again, echoing from the top of the ledge. They were getting closer. Get up! His body protested this time with more intensity. His legs throbbed but still took his weight. Nothing broken, yet there'd be no making a run for it now. Instinctually he made for the river. Any way he went would be useless but maybe if he went with the current- tried to swim - maybe he stood a chance. Reaching the water he jumped for the middle. His head slipped under the water. It was deeper, reaching his chest, and the current was fairly fast. He could do this...
"Chase!"
The voice was louder when he broke the water surface. He risked halting a split second to look back towards it and found the young man had reached the bottom of the ledge. Where was the other one? Where was the girl? Forget it... no time... He turned away and madly began flaring his arms and legs, ignoring the pain as he did.
"Chase, wait!"
Behind him he heard a splash. It stirred him to struggle harder. His feet hit the bottom and he attempted to run, slipping and sliding on the rocky ground. The water was getting faster and deeper in each moment. It was harder to move. Again he tried to swim, floundering best he could.
"Chase!"
They were closing in on him now. No matter how much effort he continued to give he couldn't seem to move fast enough. Panic set in as he heard more splashes, these closer. Then his foot found another slope sending him slipping below the surface with a strangled yelp. His feet couldn't find the ground again. He was just determined to drown, wasn't he? Suddenly strong hands gripped hold and pulled, dragging him upwards.
"No!" he pleaded once he had broken the surface. "Let me go!"
The man ignorned his protests and pulled him back towards the bank. Again he felt the anger within him rise. Do or die time. He pulled and twisted, attempting to get out of the young man's grasp. His feet kicked and hit something soft. The young man let out a started cry and his grip loosened. Taking the opportunity, he turned and swung his fist. The punch landed right on target, smacking into the man's face.
"Chase, what the-" he thought he heard, these words coming from the shore. Without the young man's hold he slipped below the surface again. He had no time to move before he was being grabbed and dragged back. The grip on him this time was stronger. As much as he tried to struggle it seemed no match. He wanted to run but all the strength he had left now seemed spent. He was set on the bank.
"What's wrong with you?" It was the young lady speaking now. She came jogging over and immediately slapped him across the arm. He flinched, a whole range of emotions crossing his brain. He glared at her.
"Hey!"
She ignored his protests. Her attention turned to her companion. "Adam, are you okay?"
The young man - Adam- nodded, a hand still rubbing his face gently. He couldn't resist a smirk, although he didn't know why. "I'm fine, Bree."
He kicked at the ground trying to push himself away. His gaze went between the two repeatedly. Neither was reaching for any sort of weapon... yet... He felt the blood rushing to his head and his heart pounding. He couldn't seem to calm down.
"Why'd you punch him? He was trying to-"
"Get away from me!"
She - Bree- actually blinked. "Chase, what's-?"
"Don't touch me!"
"Chase, why-"
Chase. It suddenly occurred to him. That must be his name. Any relief at finally learning that piece of information was hindered by the ever-pressing danger engulfing him. Something wasn't right. He was fading; he could feel it. Even so he looked between them, his feet still clambering along the ground. "Stay away from me..."
"Calm down," Bree now bent over him. Adam, seemingly satisfied with the examination he had done of his face's damage - or really, lack of it - joined them. Again he looked between them. They swayed slightly, yet an idea suddenly took hold. That's it, move closer.
"Please." He pleaded. Just a little closer, come on. "Please... don't kill me..."
The pair shared a look before Bree grabbed his arm. "It's alright. You're-"
Now! As quickly as he could he turned his body and kicked with both legs. Adam let out a cry and fell back as he made contact. Climbing to his feet he turned to run yet felt someone grab him. Bree was trying to pull him back to the ground. He grabbed her hands, swatting at them yet she was quicker. Even so he managed to grab hold of one and twist it hard. She screamed and recoiled, buying him enough time to scramble from her grasp.
His vision swirled and black spots danced before his eyes. Still he ran. He managed only a few steps before he was tackled back to the ground. He tried again to move yet he was pinned.
"Let me go!"
"Chase, what's wrong with you?" Adam was sitting on him now and had hold of his arms, holding them down.
"What do you want with me? Who are you? Why are you following me?"
"What do you mean?" Bree was now standing over him, cradling her arm. Things were getting fuzzy. "Of course we would follow you. We were worried!"
Worried? Everything were spinning. "But then-" He got nothing more out before he slipped into darkness again.
