River Crossing

The river wasn't particularly wide, but it was fast moving. If you tried to swim across the current would sweep you along with it and away from the mountain. Besides which, by the dull distant roar it sounded like there was a rapids or falls downstream. The pair of you follow the bank for a time looking for a good place to cross. You eventually settle on an area with a series of rocks and boulders, along with a fallen log caught among the stones. The route reaches almost the whole way to the other side, perhaps a bit of a swim at the far side.

You begin hopping from rock to rock across the rushing water. You take the lead, as you jump from one rock to another Soo-yin would jump in behind you to the one you had just left. This way you stayed close to each other without getting in each other's way.

There are a few close calls but you make it most of the way across without any great issue. You now face the most precarious jump of the crossing. Soo-yin joins you on your boulder as you both look at the situation. There is an old log caught on a rock that was just sticking up out of the water. It was a hell of a jump and if you missed it the sharp rocks around it, just under the surface, would make for a horrific landing. The log also looked mossy and slick.

You and Soo-yin look at each other and nod, there was no time to lose. You take a deep breath and make the leap first.

As you hit it you discover it is not nearly as lodged in and as stable as you had thought. The log lurches in the water and the rock holding it rolls over releasing it from it's support. You are just able to maintain your balance. You turn to your friend, for Soo-yin it was now or never as she would soon have no other way across.

"Jump now!" You shout.

She springs from the rock like a pouncing tiger, she is just barely able to land on the close edge of the now adrift wood. Her impact makes the log begin to careen and spin, even worse it starts rolling under you. You both try valiantly to maintain your balance and grip but can only do so for a few seconds. The best you can do is aim your fall, which you do toward a darker deeper part of the river. Soo-yin does so as well, trying to stay close to you.

The pair of you hit the water. The muffled sounds of rushing water and the splashing log fill your ears as you tumble through the rapid current. You make it to the surface and a second later your companion pops up beside you. You both begin swimming frantically for the shore, the swift rough water carrying you along with it.

You are making some progress but it is tough going, the current seems to want to drag you out toward the center of the river. You make a few more powerful strokes and reach out, your hand reaching out and just catching onto a hanging vine. Soo-yin immediately slams into your side and grabs onto your torso with both arms. Gritting your teeth you begin to pull your way slowly toward shore, pulling yourself hand over hand. Your arms and shoulders are screaming from the effort.

You are able to just make it to shallow calmer water before your strength gives out.